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Green Bay — When Detroit or Chicago get into the red zone, the quarterbacks are looking to the fade route, to the jump ball with giants Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett.

Not so much in Green Bay. That 6-foot-5 weapon is missing. But quarterback Aaron Rodgers does have a unique weapon inside the 20 — 5-foot-10, 192-pounder Randall Cobb.

Cobb has three touchdowns in two games, from 3, 6 and 1 yard out.

“I guess I was just open and he threw it to the open guy,” Cobb said. “I don’t know what it is. Hopefully when I’m open, he throws me the ball.”

On the 6-yard score with eight seconds left in the first half of Green Bay’s 31-24 win over New York, Cobb lined up in the right slot. Kyle Wilson set up on the goal line and, for some reason, began back-pedaling himself out of the play. Cobb snuck inside on a slant and Rodgers hit him.

On the 1-yard score, a third and goal, Cobb turned out on Dawan Landry and Rodgers hit the receiver on a sprint-out (seen below). The ensuing two-point play, from the left slot, Cobb bested Landry again on an angle route, zagging then zigging back inside.

Cobb doesn’t have the 6-foot-1, 6-foot-2 physical built of past Packers receivers. He’s still lining up exclusively inside.

Inside the 20, he could help Green Bay finish. Green Bay ranked 26th in red-zone offense last season, scoring touchdowns 50.72% of the time.

“Just finding space,” Cobb said. “One thing that we’ve been good at here for a while is the secondary reaction, after the play breaks down. Aaron starts to scramble and find that open spot in the end zone. Just try to get open and find some space for the quarterback to put the ball.”

Cobb’s 13 career touchdown receptions have come from 32, 31, 5, 39, 5, 13, 21, 22, 20, 5, 35, 7 and 48 yards out. Thus, 62% of his touchdowns have come from 22 yards and in. While not a Nelson-like threat over the top of a defense, he has burnt coverages underneath, finding crevices against man and zone in tightly confined spaces.

An extra second or two on a broken play often allows him to find a sweet spot.

“You give him a little room and he can make quick things happen,” offensive coordinator Tom Clements said. “A couple have been on extended plays where he again utilizes his quickness. …He’s smart, he sees what the defense is doing, he has a good rapport with Aaron. So if he has extra time, extended plays, it’s beneficial to the offense.”

Wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett says Cobb is “one of the toughest” receivers in the league.

“By far, Randall certainly when you turn his tape on, you see the quickness, you see how explosive he can be,” Bennett said. “And you see a guy who’s physical. Coach Mike talks about it all the time, our play style. There’s a standard here in Green Bay. It’s our responsibility to make sure that when we step out on that field that we play at that high level.”

At Detroit, Cobb could have many opportunities in the red zone, and the other 80 yards of acreage.

Inside cornerback Bill Bentley suffered a torn ACL in Week 1 and Nevin Lawson was lost to toe injuries in Week 2 for the season. Either Cassius Vaughn or Don Carey were expected to fill in, as noted this week. But both aren’t particularly quick and during Lions practice, Vaughn has been hobbled by an ankle injury.

Cobb might be licking his chops.

Jordy Nelson is the clear go-to guy in Green Bay. But Cobb again probably will be targeted with the goal line near. He expects extra attention to start tilting Nelson's way, too.

“I know it’s going to happen at some point,” Cobb said. “They’re going to start rolling coverage to Jordy and it’s going to open up things for everybody else. It’s my job to be ready when that time comes around and to create separation and get open and catch the ball when it comes my way.”

(Journal Sentinel photo by Rick Wood)