Jayden Reed caught former Green Bay Packers linebacker Krys Barnes in coverage, and the second-year receiver gave his team a 7-0 lead with a 5-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter of Sunday’s showdown with the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field.
On third down, Reed worked from left to right and was too fast for Barnes, and Jordan Love made the throw to make good on the Packers’ second drive.
Here’s the touchdown:
Bird is the word.
TOUCHDOWN. JAYDEN. REED.#AZvsGB pic.twitter.com/VOwG4XEY7Q
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 13, 2024
The scoring march was set up by complimentary football and explosive plays.
Daniel Whelan pinned the Cardinals inside the 10-yard line with a punt, the Packers defense forced a quick three-and-out, and Reed’s punt return — combined with a penalty — set up the Packers in Cardinals territory. From there, Josh Jacobs (14 yards) and Bo Melton (16) produced explosive runs, and Love and Reed finished the drive with the touchdown pass.
The Packers needed five plays to go 44 yards.
Green Bay has 41 rushing yards and Reed has two catches on the offense’s first two drives on Sunday.
