Christian Watson provides spark on all 3 Packers touchdowns vs. Bears
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers’ three highest-scoring games on offense this season have occurred in their last four games, which also happens to coincide with the emergence of Christian Watson. Against Chicago, we again saw Watson play crucial roles in all three touchdowns.
As Andy Herman of Packer Report would point out after the game, there was the 14-yard touchdown reception by Watson on fourth down at the end of the first half. Then on Green Bay’s second touchdown, a 21-yard run by AJ Dillon, Watson had a 15-yard catch on third down to extend the drive, and then he drew a 38-yard pass interference penalty. On the final touchdown that ended the game, Watson had a 19-yard catch followed by a 46-yard run on a jet sweep.
To put it simply, this Green Bay Packers offense is different with Watson in it.
Watson’s performance against Chicago continues an incredible four-game stretch for the rookie. Since the Dallas game, Watson has caught 13 passes for 313 yards and seven touchdowns, along with the aforementioned rushing one.
During that span of games, Watson leads all receivers in touchdowns and is top-10 in yards as well per PFF ($$). In fact, Watson is now one of only three rookies in the Super Bowl era to catch seven touchdowns in four games, joining exclusive company with Randy Moss and Odell Bekcham Jr.
Watson’s speed has been game-changing for the Packers. He brought needed big play ability to this offense, which had been lacking for much of the season, and Green Bay’s inability to stretch the field early on in the year was a big reason behind many their issues on offense.
Without fear of getting beat over the top, defenses were shrinking the field and pressing the Packers’ receivers. This made creating separation more difficult when getting jammed at the line of scrimmage routinely, along with negatively affecting the run and quick passing games with more defenders near the line of scrimmage.
But with a healthy Watson, defenses can’t play nearly as aggressively, which leads to more space to work with and opens up the offense for everyone else.
In addition to Watson’s high level of play in recent weeks, we’ve also seen Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon total 429 rushing yards in their three games against Dallas, Philadelphia, and Chicago. In the passing game, Allen Lazard would go on to record 67 receiving yards against the Bears, along with 57 against Tennesse, and Randall Cobb posted 73 yards in his return against the Titans.
The Green Bay Packers were in need of finding a new No. 1 wide receiver, and Christian Watson has answered the call. He is turning into a very special player who not only creates opportunities for himself but for the rest of the offense as well. And that’s game-changing.