Packers WR Christian Watson breaks down all 3 touchdown catches

Injuries and dropped passes have been elements of Christian Watson’s rookie season with the Green Bay Packers, and the latter was even prevalent early on during what could end up being his breakout performance against Dallas.

Watson finished Sunday’s game with four receptions for 107 yards and three touchdowns. However, this performance wasn’t without some miscues either. On the Packers’ opening possession, Green Bay found themselves in Dallas territory, but the drive quickly stalled following a pair of dropped passes by Watson. Later in the game, Watson misplayed another deep ball that could have resulted in six more points.

Following the game, both Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur told reporters that after that first possession, they found Watson and let him know that the ball was still going to be coming his direction. As was the case in Buffalo prior to Watson leaving the game, he was going to be a big part of the Packers’ game plan against this Dallas defense, and that showed as he was targeted on eight of Rodgers’ 20-pass attempts.

Watson’s speed is a game changer for this Packers offense, and not only because of the home run ability that he brings for himself. But when running vertical routes and crossers, that speed of his has to be accounted for by the secondary, even if he doesn’t touch the ball. This can then create opportunities in the passing game for others and, overall, create better spacing. Then when sent in motion, that brief pause that comes from the second-level defenders helps open up running lanes for the running backs.

The Cowboys’ defense was playing the Green Bay receivers very aggressively, often pressing them at the line of scrimmage and playing a lot of cover-one. The formula for the Packers on offense always involved a heavy dose of the running game, but that helped create some big plays in the passing game off play-action.

Following the game, Watson took reporters through each of his three touchdown grabs. Here is how each of those plays played out through his perspective.

Play No. 1: 58-yard touchdown catch

This play is a prime example of how play-action can benefit the passing game. Dallas was again sitting in cover-one, and the safety was drawn up at the run fake, leaving the Cowboys cornerback without help. Watson, who changed his release at the line of scrimmage, won inside and flew by the defender. It was a beautifully thrown ball by Rodgers and a nice over-the-shoulder catch by Watson, where he made a bit of an adjustment.

"“On the deep shot, it was one-on-one,” said Watson after the game. “I heard from 12 (Aaron Rodgers) that we were going to come back to it, we’re going to try to go to different things, but that’s something that we’ve been trying to do all week, just trying to win our one-on-ones. He kind of told me before the play, “get open,” so I did.”"

Play No. 2: a 39-yard touchdown

On a massive fourth and seven while down by two scores in the fourth quarter, Rodgers connects with Watson over the middle for a 39-yard touchdown. The Packers ran a bunched formation on the right side — a staple of the LaFleur offense — which provided Watson with a free release off the line of scrimmage. From there, the Dallas cornerback had no chance of keeping up with his speed.

"“It wasn’t the exact look that I would have preferred on that specific route,” said Watson. “I would have liked to have gotten inside of him and broke across the field. We knew that their safeties were playing low, and they were playing that one-high, so come out of the break and get as flat as possible. He kind of played inside, so I just clicked it vertical, and I think I lost him a little bit, and broke it flat, and it was there.”"

Play No. 3: 7-yard touchdown

With just a few minutes remaining in regulation, Rodgers again found Watson on first and goal from the seven to tie the game. Watson and Allen Lazard were stacked on the right side with Watson on the inside and the two running a high-low concept. Once again, play-action played a key role in this play design, as the linebackers were sucked in, creating space over the middle for Watson, who was running a crossing route. The Dallas cornerback and safety didn’t stand much of a chance against Watson in space and with a clean release.

"“A play we were trying to get to all night,” said Watson. “We called that same play a few times in the hope to get the look we wanted so we could check it to that specific play. I think it was finally the third time that they had the safety on the backside; obviously, safety took the two-man side so I just had to run with speed across the field.”"