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Receiving: 1 / 6 / 0 on 1 targets
Finley, the young TE who showed so much promise in the preseason had just one catch in Week 1 against the Bears. QB Aaron Rodgers was looking downfield far more often than he was underneath, so both Finley and TE Donald Lee saw few chances in this particular contest. Whether this remains constant from week to week is up in the air, since the Bears were thin at corner and safety in Week 1 so Rodgers may have been looking to WRs Donald Driver and Greg Jennings for better chances. Finley's upside and true value should get a better determination with a matchup against Cincinnati in Week 2.
Receiving: 4 / 56 / 0 on 7 targets
Finley was a major target of Aaron Rodgers. Only Donald Driver had more passes thrown his way against Cincinnati. His already impressive stat line would have been even better had he not dropped a very catchable ball on a slow developing deep cross pattern on the Packers' first offensive play and had Rodgers not narrowly missed him on a sideline pattern later in the game. He was again aligned in the slot frequently and showed good awareness on a hot route that went for a long gain during the second half.
Receiving: 6 / 128 / 1 on 7 targets
The rookie TE had his breakout performance in his biggest game of the season so far. He had two receptions on the Packer opening drive, including a nice sideline route that he turned up field for an 18 yard gain. On the following drive, Finley broke away from the defense on a deep route down the middle of the field. He made an excellent reception, made his immediate defender miss and ran the rest of the way for a 62 yard, game-tying TD. He had another nice catch and run late in the 4th quarter, again over the middle of the field. This helped set up the TD pass to Jordy Nelson and briefly got the Packers back into the game. He finished the game leading the Packers in receptions and receiving yards. He probably secured the #1 TE slot as well.
Receiving: 5 / 54 / 0 on 5 targets
It appears as if Finley is starting to wrestle the starting TE job away from Donald Lee. This week Finley lined up as TE and in the slot on his way to 5 catches on 5 targets. His receptions came on a variety of looks as well (screens, slants, over them middle). He combo of size and speed enabled him to make a terrific 30 yard catch down the center of the field. It's possible we are seeing his emergence as a future elite TE in the box scores.
Receiving: 1 / 16 / 0 on 1 targets
Finley left early in the first quarter after catching a ball on a crossing route but taking a low hit while trying to turn the ball upfield. The Packers are calling his injury a knee sprain, but haven't yet released more information.
Receiving: 7 / 54 / 0 on 10 targets
Welcome back Jermichael! Finley was an important underneath target for Aaron Rodgers, and he was able to rack up catches as Rodgers was willing to settle for the defense gave him all day. Finley had multiple end zone targets, and he also caught a pass at the one-yard line, so expect him to score multiple TDs down the stretch as long as he stays healthy. He shouldn't be on any waiver wires, and he could easily finish the season as a starting quality fantasy TE, because Rodgers seems to have forgotten about Donald Lee and Spencer Havner now that Finley is back.
Receiving: 3 / 25 / 0 on 6 targets
Finley took a huge shot from Lions safety Louis Delmas in the 2nd quarter but managed to make a reception on the next play working split out to catch a screen. Finley was targeted a few more times during the game but was really held in check by the Lions defense. QB Aaron Rodgers tried to force the ball to him on some intermediate routes, but Finley was unable to haul them in. Bigger days should lie ahead for this huge target of a TE.
Receiving: 7 / 79 / 2 on 8 targets
Finley put on a show, even though he had to leave the game briefly to have a knee injury X-rayed. Finley worked the middle of the field and got open with ease. He also used his size to catch a fade in the end zone for one TD, and bowl over a tackler for his other TD. A nice catch at the sidelines in the red zone set up that first TD catch on a dominant night for 22-year old stud in the making. His hands and fluid athleticism are WR-like, but his giant catch radius is special for any eligible receiver. He should be a great pick for people that like to wait on TE in 2010 fantasy drafts.
Receiving: 5 / 70 / 0 on 7 targets
Finley has been Rodgers favorite target downfield since his return from injury, and other than a fumble at the end of the first half on a good defensive play, he has done nothing to discourage the Packers QB from targeting him just as frequently as they make a push for the playoffs. He is running very hard after the catch, making it tough for defenders to bring him down, and he is owning the middle of the field with his huge catch radius and sure hands. He is on track to finish the season as one of the hottest fantasy TEs.
Receiving: 9 / 74 / 1 on 10 targets
Finley has arrived as one of the premier receiving TEs in the NFL. His huge catch radius and ball skills make him uncoverable for defensive backs, and linebackers can't stay with him. Finley isn't that fast, but he is strong and hard to bring down. He elevated over his man to catch a TD on a play that was almost unfair, and Rodgers hit him frequently in the fourth quarter when he needed a play to move the chains. Finley made great adjustments to the ball in flight and he was also Rodgers hot read on some plays when the Steelers blitzed.
Receiving: 3 / 80 / 0 on 4 targets
Finley is a big red zone target, though he didn't see many other opportunities until the second half. He had some success lining up wide, and showed some nice moves to get yards after the catch. When the Packers need him, he showed that he can be a game breaker.
Receiving: 4 / 34 / 1 on 5 targets
The 6-5, hulky TE has become a monster part of this offense and continues to get it done no matter where they line him up on the field. He started the game with a nice 30-yard pass that was called back due to an illegal motion penalty, and QB Aaron Rodgers just missed him in the back of the end zone early in the game. But Finley just couldn't be held down as he snagged a 5-yard TD off a fade pass where he found man coverage on the outside and out-leaped his defender for the score. While the opposing defense focuses in on the Packers talented WR's, Finley continues to make them pay with big plays.
Receiving: 6 / 159 / 0 on 9 targets
The Cardinals covered Finley early with more than one defender, but for some reason, they left players in single-coverage mismatches with him as the game went on. Finley plucked a 44-yard desperation throw from Rodgers over Mike Adams, who also interfered with Finley, and the string of big plays was started. On the next play, Finley got the ball into the red zone. He also got the ball down the one on a second half drive, only to be pushed back by a Donald Driver holding penalty downfield, and Finley also had a 38-yard catch and a key third-down conversion that helped drives that knotted the game at 38 and 45. He should be one of the top five tight ends off the board in every fantasy draft next year.