Paul Bretl | 12/17/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — After missing two games with a concussion, Romeo Doubs picked up where he left off in his return against Seattle, which is coming through for this Packers’ offense in critical moments throughout the game.
“Huge,” said Christian Watson of Doubs’ return. “He’s a big playmaker for us consistently making plays for us. Definitely huge to get him back. Just another weapon in the arsenal.”
Doubs would go on to catch 3-of-5 targets in Sunday night’s win, totaling 40 yards with two touchdowns. However, going beyond the stat sheet, when and where that production happened only added to Doubs’ impact in this game.
The Green Bay offense would finish the game only 2-for-4 in the red zone, but Doubs’ first reception came on the Packers second possession and in that part of the field. With the Packers facing a 2nd-and-8 from the Seattle 13 yard line, on an over the middle pass into a tight window, Jordan Love connected with Doubs, who then uncharacteristically ran through defenders and muscled his way into the end zone.
“That was awesome,” said Jordan Love of the touchdown. “That was something that I really haven’t seen out of Rome, just running guys over and carrying them, putting the team on his back. But I think it just shows how much he loves it and is willing to fight for those extra yards and just fight to get that touchdown. So that was a great play by him.”
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Doubs’ final reception then came late in the fourth quarter. With 4:59 left in the game and the Seahawks hanging around and trailing by 10 points, Love again found Doubs, this time on a deep post resulting in a spectacular catch–which Doubs’ strong hands on display–as he hauled in the 22-yard touchdown, effectively putting the game away.
“How about that catch? That second touchdown catch that was a big time play,” said Matt LaFleur after the game. “I love how Rome works and he’s been pretty consistent for us when given opportunities and he comes through. So it was cool to have him back out there.”
These two plays are only two examples of what has become many over the last few seasons of Doubs coming through at critical moments in the game, whether that be in the red zone, on third downs, or in end of game situations.
On the season, Doubs has played a key role in helping the Packers offense stay on the field by moving the chains. Of his 37 total receptions, 27 have gone for a first down, according to PFF. Despite missing the last 2.5 games with a concussion, he still leads the team in first down receptions.
On third downs specifically, Doubs has caught 11-of-16 passes (68.8%), with 10 of those catches picking up a first down, and he is averaging a hefty 18.3 yards per reception.
Down in the red zone, Doubs is an efficient target as well, catching 7-of-10 passes, with three touchdowns, and five first downs.
“The dude is dog, man,” said Josh Jacobs after Sunday’s win. “His hands, the way he goes about it. It’s just crazy. That’s the only thing I can say. I called him spiderman earlier in the week because I feel like when the ball is anywhere in his vicinity he’s snagging it, catching it. That play at the end, I wasn’t surprised that he made it.”
Then there are those crucial late-game situations where Doubs has oftentimes come through. In addition to the touchdown against Seattle, he had two receptions on the Packers’ final drive against Houston that picked up first downs and eventually led to the game-winning field goal by Brandon McManus.
In Week 2 against the Colts, with Malik Willis at quarterback and Green Bay hardly throwing the football, Doubs had a 39 yard reception in the fourth quarter that led to a field goal and another fourth quarter catch of 15 yards that put the Packers in field goal range.
In the second halves of games this season, Doubs has caught 15-of-25 passes at 13.4 yards per catch, has picked up 10 first downs, and has two scores.
“I think Rome, it all starts with the work he puts in,” said Matt LaFleur on Tuesday. “That catch he made on fourth down, outstanding. I think I told the team – it’s not a secret why this happens. The guy spends more time on the JUGs machine than anybody I’ve ever been around. He’s got unbelievable hands. I think he’s done a great job with his releases, knowing what to do, playing decisively. He’s playing really good football right now.”
One of the most difficult aspects for opposing defenses when it comes to defending this Packers offense is the number of options that they have in the passing game and that in just about any situation, the ball could go to any player in any part of the field.
However, as the numbers above and our eyes show, oftentimes in those must-have-it moments, Love is looking for Doubs. That starts with his ability as a route runner and to not only win his one-on-one matchups but to do so quickly and then to be a reliable target, hauling those passes in.
“It’s his work ethic,” said Love about Doubs. “I mean the guy’s in there catching off the JUGS all day long. He works on his hands. It’s something that doesn’t just happen by accident. He’s out there making all these crazy catches and making it look easy. It’s the work he puts in throughout the week and in the offseason and then it shows on the field.
“He definitely has a very good set of hands and like you said makes some of the hard catches look relatively easy. I think it’s just his work ethic.”
Up against an aggressive, man coverage and blitz-heavy defense a week ago in Detroit, Doubs’ presence and ability to win at all levels of the field was missed. But in this most recent game against Seattle, who features another aggressive, press-man-centric secondary, Doubs’ return played a vital role in the Packers being able to come away with that win.
“Rome, he’s such a problem if you get him one-on-one with DBs,” said Adam Stenavich. “He’s an excellent route runner. He can win in the quick game. He can win over the middle. He can win on the long ball. So, he’s a really versatile wide receiver.
“He’s becoming a total wideout for us and doing a good job.”
On paper, Doubs’ overall production isn’t going to leap off the page. He’s caught 37 passes this season, he has 523 receiving yards at 14.1 yards per catch, with four touchdowns. But when many of those receptions occur illustrates his true impact on this offense, as we saw in Seattle.