Watson Opens Up Packers Deep Passing Game
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson made his presence felt in his return to the lineup on Sunday, with a 44-yard touchdown catch from Jordan Love.
It was a play that showcased the full potential of the 2024 Green Bay Packers’ offense. With the score 17-0 in the 2nd quarter, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur called the perfect play for the situation. After Keisan Nixon’s season-long 39-yard punt return, it was time to attack the end zone.
The result was one of the nicest touchdown catches of Christian Watson’s young career; a 44-yard pitch and catch on a rainbow pass from Jordan Love out of play action.
It was just a matter of time they started looking like this pic.twitter.com/UXULkZfSfk
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) October 13, 2024
It was the kind of play that epitomized the height of the Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson connection. When the defense can’t leave both safeties deep, the offense runs its best threat across the middle of the field to the opposite pylon.
In this case, Watson was covered by Cardinals safety Buddha Baker.
Not many plays in the NFL where all five eligible receivers are open, but the Packers might have come pretty close on Christian Watson's TD catch yesterday. pic.twitter.com/G0RP2yjzPW
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) October 14, 2024
Three times under Rodgers, the Packers led the league in scoring and in each season they had a player defenses had to account for down the field.
In 2011, both Nelson and Greg Jennings burned defenses on similar deep shots. In 2014 it was Nelson again, having the best season of his career. Nelson had an astonishing 12 touchdown catches of 40 or more yards in 2011 and 2014.
This has to be one of Aaron Rodgers' most ridiculous throws of his career.
Running full speed escaping pressure and launches a 50+ yard bomb to Jordy Nelson.
Never gets old.pic.twitter.com/xrEdbfNg9N
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) March 3, 2022
In 2020 it was the combination of Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard that combined for eight touchdown catches of 40 yards or more in 18 games.
For Watson it was his 15th career touchdown catch, but his first of more than 40 yards since his explosive catch and run touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. His first career touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys was a deep shot, covering 58 yards.
Hopefully 10 to 9 has a lot 12 to 87 memories pic.twitter.com/3CR6bJwS79
— MMcLaugh (@McLaughlinMitch) May 14, 2023
It was no surprise that having Watson and Love play an entire game together for the first time since the opener against the Eagles led to the Packers offense having its best performance of the season.
Defenses had to account for the threat of Watson which helped open things up for others. Jayden Reed was his usual self, leading the team in receptions and scoring the team’s first touchdown for the third time in six games.
Romeo Doubs returned to the lineup with three catches and two impressive touchdown catches on the sideline.
look, i get it. it’s a weird looking play, but the reality is jordan love took a negative situation, threw it up for someone in single coverage who usually fares well making contested catches and gave him a chance. it was the smart call pic.twitter.com/GCbLYOCHBP
— Zachary Jacobson (@zacobson) October 14, 2024
Watson, who only had three catches, but his first was on 4th down, that set up a Brayden Narveson field goal. The throw and catch from Love and Watson on this play might have been more impressive than the touchdown catch.
4th down. Gotta have it. I am absolutely losing my mind over this throw. pic.twitter.com/kezgTTj1VG
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) October 14, 2024
And there’s the other second-year receivers who can be difference makers on any given day in Dontayvion Wicks, Tucker Kraft and even Luke Musgrave. All of these targets for Love should make it awfully tough for defenses to focus on just one or two of them.
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Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch
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Comments (4)
joejetson
October 15, 2024 at 08:12 pm
This is the best GB receiver group since 2010.
For defenses, it's "pick your poison".
TKWorldWide
October 15, 2024 at 09:30 pm
Said it before, I’ll say it again: if I’m a DC, I’d much rather defend a team with Justin Jefferson and nothing else than a team like GB with threats all over the place. (And an O-line that provides ample protection.)
G
P
G!
Coldworld
October 16, 2024 at 12:03 am
Watson is a size speed threat we have no comparison for. He has always been at his best running routes crossing the field at any depth, to as deep as his QBs arm will allow. That was his staple in college. That was what finally got him going as a rookie. It’s great to finally see one that exploits that again by as opposed to go type routes. Being able to track the ball and adjust his speed to the catch point, after which his quick feet allow him to change direction and burst away post catch, giving the DB almost no chance to bring him down. More please. Want to make Watson a star? Find ways to get him crossing the field.
GregC
October 16, 2024 at 08:24 am
Yeah, I thought one reason Jordan Love improved in the second half last season was they started running more deep crossing routes instead of go routes. Not only is Watson better at those, but Love is better at making those kinds of throws. There were too many of the jump ball type plays last year, which neither of them excelled at. Love can throw those much better now, but they still are not Watson's strong suit.