Paul Bretl | 12/9/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Since the Packers returned from their bye in Week 11 against Chicago, Christian Watson has been a steady big-play presence for the passing game, but there still remains more for him in this offense.
“You could see it in practice the last month or so,” said Adam Stenavich of Watson, “just him really getting into his stride and making a lot of big plays. He has that ability to just be the game-changing force…Everyone loves Christian, they respect his work ethic, how he’s a pro every single day so when guys like that really shine, I think it really picks everyone up.”
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In that stretch of four games, Watson has caught 10-of-16 passes for 331 yards at a whopping 33.1 yards per catch. This includes eclipsing the 100-yard mark twice, along with receptions of 60 yards, 46 yards, and 59 yards. That 59-yard reception, in particular, not only got the Packers back into the game against Detroit with a touchdown being scored a few plays later, but it played a pivotal role in providing the passing game with a second-half spark.
As I’m sure you can imagine, if you pick a receiving category during this span of games, Watson has been among the most productive receivers in football.
Overall, Watson has had a steady season. He’s caught 61 percent of his passes, is averaging 21.7 yards per catch, and has two touchdowns, not to mention that he continues to block relentlessly in the run game. A real area of improvement for Watson in 2024 is his success on contested catch opportunities, hauling in 69.2% of those types of passes compared to just 33.3% in last season.
“Christian’s been steady man,” said Matt LaFleur prior to the 49ers’ game. “He shows up with the same approach each and every day. He’s a team first guy, which certainly all appreciate. And you know, when he gets his opportunities, he maximized them. So I was really proud of his effort, but I feel like he approaches the game the right way. The same mentality, just shows up and works and gives his best effort every time he gets out there.”
In the midst of these recent big play performances, Watson did fumble against Detroit and dropped a downfield pass that likely would have been a touchdown against San Francisco before half–two plays that Watson was the first to admit cannot happen–but those blunders have been outliers for him this season. PFF has credited Watson with only one drop this season, while that fumble was his first in his three NFL seasons.
“Just trying to do too much,” said Watson of his fumble. “I gotta protect the ball. The ball is the most important thing. Come back and had the ball out too loose. Just gotta protect the ball.”
Watson’s obvious impact within the Green Bay offense comes as a downfield threat as we’ve seen in recent weeks. His combination of size and speed makes him difficult matchup for opposing defenses.
However, Watson’s impact goes far beyond that important downfield element that he brings to the table. Not only deep, but Watson can win at all levels of the field, with his speed and route running ability helping to create separation on those short to intermediate routes, which then have the potential to be turned into big gains as we saw late versus Chicago on a 60-yard catch and run over the middle. In fact, of Watson’s 43 targets this season, only 10 have come 20-plus yards downfield.
Even when the ball isn’t coming Watson’s way, he’s still impacting the game. With that speed he possesses, he has a gravity about him that attracts the attention of defenders, which can open up opportunities for other pass catchers, whether that be through one-on-ones or the spacing underneath Watson helps create.
Or, in short, defenses often have to defend the Packers differently when Watson is on the field versus when he isn’t.
“I can’t say enough about him,” said Matt LaFleur after the Chicago game. “Obviously, not everything has gone his way here, but he is a resilient dude. He shows up to work every day, right mentality, great work ethic. I love the guy. I love being around him.”
The challenge for Matt LaFleur, and it’s a good on to have, is making sure that Watson is routinely targeted in the passing game and on the field in those must-have-it situations, such as on third downs and in the red zone. There were several red zone plays against the Bears where Watson was on the sidelines. Whether as a potential target or a presence that defense’s have to certainly be aware of, he needs to be on the field in those key moments of a game.
With all of the options that the Packers have in the passing game between the other receivers and Tucker Kraft, along with Josh Jacobs’ presence in the run game, the opportunities week-to-week for Watson can be sporadic. I mean, we are coming off a game against Detroit where Jayden Reed had one target and no receptions.
Yet even with Watson’s recent surge and more passes coming his way in recent weeks, he still ranks fifth on the team in targets this season. But Watson remains unaffected by that. His demeanor and how he goes about his business on a daily basis does not change. He recognizes there are areas where he can improve in as well, and has reached a point in his still young career where he is comfortable with who he is, his game, and how he operates that he knows he will be rewarded down the road.
“You get what you put in,” said Watson. “I think at the end of the day, from a money standpoint when it comes to getting paid and a stat standpoint, I know that in the long run that I’m going to get what I deserve out of this game in terms of what I’m going to put into it. You don’t always see those results immediately. Sometimes, you’ve got to see the results with a different lens in terms of what you’re getting out of it, but it’s not as specific as you think. I just know that when I look back, whenever I’m done with this game, I know I’m going to have got what I deserve out of it.”
Ultimately, what the opponent does and the gameplan LaFleur puts together to best attack a defense is going to dictate where the ball goes. And in an NFL landscape where we are seeing more Cover-2 to eliminate downfield attempts, that can take away a crucial element where Watson can thrive. However, having said that, as we’ve discussed, that isn’t the only way he can leave his mark on the game, and each week there should be concerted efforts to get the ball into his hands.
Now, if the defense defends it correctly, that doesn’t mean Jordan Love should recklessly force the ball to him, but play-design-wise, there should be opportunities for Watson to get involved each week, which as of late, there have been. When Watson has the ball, good things–specifically big plays–often ensue.
“It was either last week or two weeks ago,” said passing game coordinator Jason Vrable coming out of the bye week, “I said to Christian, ‘Man, you’ve been getting open and we’ve got to find a way to get you the ball.’ I was like, it’s part of my job when you’re open to continue to find ways.”