Packers fans brace as Christian Watson faces a decision that could rewrite their entire season.QQ
Tucker Kraft is out for the season, Jayden Reed is recovering but still not ready to return, and Christian Watson is the Green Bay Packers’ only pass-catcher who defenses truly fear.
It’s about time the Packers remembered that.
One way Matt LaFleur can snap his sluggish offense out of first gear? The same way he has in the past: Feed Christian Watson.
Christian Watson holds the key to the Packers finally overcoming their offensive struggles
Remember in 2023 when the Packers lost four games in a row, with many wondering if Love was the guy? It was the Love-to-Watson connection that ignited the turnaround. They connected on 14 passes for 186 yards and four touchdowns in a 3-0 run versus the Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs.
The Watson Effect even extends to the end of the Aaron Rodgers era in 2022, Watson’s rookie season. With the Packers reeling at 3-6, Rodgers finally turned to his young receiver, and he became the go-to target, catching 31 passes for 523 yards and seven touchdowns in a 5-3 run to end the season.
When the Packers make Watson the focal point of the passing game, good things happen. The entire offense feels like it’s in-rhythm when Love targets Watson regularly, and that’s not just anecdotal. The numbers back it up.
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Since Love took the reins in 2023, Watson has only had six games with four or more receptions. The Packers are 5-1 in that stretch and average 28.7 points per game.
In the 21 contests where he has caught three or fewer passes, Green Bay is 10-11 and averaging 22.5 points per game.
It’s not as simple as targeting Watson and the results will come, but it proves that when he’s involved, the entire offense flows better. He uses his speed to stretch defenses deep and his athleticism to make special catches anywhere on the field. Watson can dominate in the intermediate passing game, where Love is at his best this season.
He’s also one of the Packers’ only weapons capable of destroying both man and zone coverages. Per Pro Football Focus, his 3.34 yards/route run versus man coverage ranked sixth in the NFL last season. His 2.01 Y/RR against zone ranked 29th. It’s a small sample size, but he’s off to a fast start in three games this year, averaging 2.60 Y/RR versus man and 2.78 Y/RR against zone.
Teams keep playing two-high shells and daring the Packers to run the ball, and LaFleur gladly obliges. But Plan A isn’t working.
It’s logical to run against light boxes, force the defense to adjust by moving a safety into the box, and then boom, make ’em pay downfield. Football isn’t played on paper, though. LaFleur might pencil-whip the coach on the other sideline with beautiful play designs, but that means little when his offensive linemen are getting bullied off the line of scrimmage.
Whether it’s a lack of trust in Love or simply having no faith in the offensive line, LaFleur is reluctant to give the keys to the offense to his $220 million quarterback. Yet when he does, it works.
And Love now has Watson back by his side, and he looks as good as ever.
Watson is entering his fourth game since returning from a torn ACL, with the pitch count slowly disappearing. It’s that time again. Make Watson the focal point, and watch him lift the Packers’ offense back to the level they are capable of.
