Despite recent setbacks and setbacks, Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson has been sizzling on his feet over the past month.
Since his bye, Watson has caught 10 passes for 331 yards in four games — good for an NFL-best 33.1 yards per catch and 18.4 yards per target.
How uncommon are these numbers? Watson became the first Packers player in team history and just the 22nd player in NFL history to catch at least 10 passes and average 30 or more yards per reception in four games. This feat has only been accomplished five times in the last 20 years.
Watson did miss a 49-yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers, and his fumble delayed in the catch on Thursday night ultimately resulted in a field goal for the Detroit Lions, but he re-established himself as a massive man. play the Packers offense machine as the playoffs approach.
In Watson’s last four games, he had catches of 60 yards, 59 yards, 48 ​​yards and 46 yards and four catches of 20 or more yards. Since Week 11, no player has caught more yards of 40 or more yards.
His 60-yard catch secured the go-ahead touchdown against the Chicago Bears. His 59-yard catch set up the Packers to start the second half on Thursday night. His 48-yard catch was a phenomenal catch on a double safety. His 46-yard TD scored at halftime against the Miami Dolphins.
Against the Lions, Watson used his incredible speed to pass Carlton Davis for 59 yards. He then focused incredibly on catching Jordan Love’s wild 29-yard throw that put the Packers on the road to a decisive drive delayed in the fourth quarter.
Authorities penalized Watson for offensive pass interference on what would have been a touchdown pass to Josh Jacobs on the final drive on Thursday night, although there is reasonable cause as to whether the play should have been penalized or not. Watson was driving a legal route and was clearly trying to avoid contact, and the route concept was not an intentional pick play.
In 13 games, Watson has only recorded 26 catches, but is second in the NFL in yards per reception with 21.7. His average completion rate of 12.5 yards per target is the best of his career. In an offense with a lot to feed, Watson does his job as a winger who can create explosive plays, pull screens from others and consistently do his job as a blocker.
Watson isn’t perfect. His mistakes were massive. However, focusing on the misses means losing overall player value, and Watson is starting to make a massive and valuable impact on the field as the 2024 Packers approach the postseason.
