The matchup was there, and Aaron Rodgers was certain he’d come back to it, despite a missed opportunity in the first half.

When the Green Bay Packers needed a spark to start the second half Sunday night in New England, rookie receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling made Rodgers’ trust worthwhile.

The Packers’ fifth-round pick blew past veteran Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty and caught Rodgers’ deep ball for 51 yards, picking up the first down and setting up a touchdown on Green Bay’s first possession of the second half.

Valdes-Scantling finished with three catches for 101 yards, his second 100-yard receiving game in three games. He has 317 receiving yards on just 15 catches over the last four games.

In the first half Sunday night, Rodgers attempted to hit Valdes-Scantling deep down the near sideline with McCourty trailing in coverage. The throw was a little short, and Valdes-Scantling failed to make the contested catch while turning back for the football.

It was an opportunity missed. But Rodgers identified the matchup, and at halftime, he told Valdes-Scantling he’d come back to it in the second half.

“I told him at halftime, ‘I’m going to come back to you,'” Rodgers said. “And sure enough, on that first drive, they brought empty pressure, we picked it up, and hit him for a big play that got us back in the game.”

The Packers quarterback was true to his word. The 51-yard completion to start the third quarter set up Rodgers’ 15-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham, tying the game at 17.

Later in the third quarter, Rodgers went back to Valdes-Scantling, hitting him for 24 yards on third down and again on the same drive for 26 more.

The two connections had the Packers marching for the go-ahead score before Aaron Jones’ fumble.

On the first completion, Rodgers scrambled to his right on third-and-1 and gave the rookie a chance along the sideline. He skied to make the tough catch in traffic and extend the drive. A few plays later, Rodgers threaded the needle as Valdes-Scantling raced across the field, and the rookie made a sprawling catch for another first down.

“He made two great catches on back-to-back plays,” Rodgers said. “Those are plays you love.”

Six of Valdes-Scantling’s last seven catches have gained 20 or more yards. He also has at least one catch of 38 yards in four of the last five games.

Amazingly, after eight games, Valdes-Scantling is the Packers’ third-leading receiver. His 358 receiving yards trail only Graham (425) and Davante Adams (730).

A few factors are combining to prove the rookie is no fluke. First, Rodgers’ trust is growing in Valdes-Scantling every week. Secondly, the rookie shows signs of development every time he steps on the field. He doesn’t repeat mistakes and he’s learning how to get open and finish plays. Finally, his size and skill set is a perfect match for the Packers offense and has no rival on the roster currently. He’s added a vertical threat and a big-play weapon to an offense that has condensed in recent years.

The Packers struck gold in the fifth round by taking a chance on a raw but athletic receiver from USF. If the last five games are any indication, Valdes-Scantling is much more than just a rookie sensation. He’s the new go-to big-play machine for Aaron Rodgers.