By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
2025 College Basketball Bad Beats: WVU fails to cover after blowing late lead
2025 College Basketball Bad Beats: WVU fails to cover after blowing late lead
Game Analysis
Mizzou coach begs fans, 'Please, do not rush the court!' after win over No. 4 Alabama
Mizzou coach begs fans, ‘Please, do not rush the court!’ after win over No. 4 Alabama
Game Analysis
Lionel Messi picks up where he left off ahead of 2025 MLS season opener
Lionel Messi picks up where he left off ahead of 2025 MLS season opener
Game Analysis
Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City Highlights | CONCACAF Champions Cup | FOX Soccer
Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City Highlights | CONCACAF Champions Cup | FOX Soccer
Game Analysis
Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic turns 30; his elite NBA career by the numbers
Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic turns 30; his elite NBA career by the numbers
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: If Packers’ Christian Watson isn’t Jordan Love’s go-to pass-catcher, then who is?
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > NFL > If Packers’ Christian Watson isn’t Jordan Love’s go-to pass-catcher, then who is?
NFLSports News

If Packers’ Christian Watson isn’t Jordan Love’s go-to pass-catcher, then who is?

BigP
Last updated: 2023/11/13 at 4:45 PM
BigP Published November 13, 2023
Share
If Packers' Christian Watson isn't Jordan Love's go-to pass-catcher, then who is?
SHARE
  • Rob Demovsky, ESPN Staff WriterNov 13, 2023, 06:00 AM ET

    Close

      Rob Demovsky is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Green Bay Packers. He has covered the Packers since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2013. Demovsky is a two-time Wisconsin Sportswriter of the Year as selected by the NSSA. You can follow him on Twitter at @RobDemovsky.

PITTSBURGH — When it came time to win Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jordan Love opted to throw to Christian Watson.

Twice.

When both attempts ended the same way — with interceptions in or near the end zone — it left reason to wonder why the Green Bay Packers quarterback can’t seem to find a way to pull out a close game.

That might not be the right thing to ponder.

After Sunday’s 23-19 loss — which dropped the Packers (3-6) to 1-4 in games decided by four points or fewer — perhaps the wonderment should be why Love keeps trying to go to Watson.

Love targeted the speedy second-year receiver seven times Sunday. They connected on just two of them for 23 yards. Watson has caught just 42% of his passes this season, which at the end of Sunday’s game left him with the lowest catch rate among the 126 players who had at least 30 targets this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

“It’s frustrating for sure, just with the expectation I have for myself, the goal that I have for myself,” Watson said after the game. “And obviously it’s [frustrating] when we’re not being as successful as we want to be as a team. Just want to find ways to try to make more of an impact. But at the end of the day, I’m only one out of 11 people on the field, so we just need to find a way to get it done as a team.”

Best of NFL Nation

&#8226 Inside the Class of ’83’s impact
&#8226 Can Steelers adjust without Alexander?
&#8226 QB Love searching for go-to receiver
&#8226 Can ugly loss wake up Jaguars?
&#8226 Ravens have issues finishing
&#8226 Week 10 risers, fallers, big questions

At first, it appeared last week’s deep catch by Watson against the Rams sparked something. He caught Love’s first two passes on Sunday: a 9-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage and a 14-yard crosser two plays later.

And then, nothing.

In one of two third-quarter drives that stalled in the red zone and resulted in field goals, Love and Watson couldn’t connect on a deep ball down the left side. The ball was well beyond Watson, who appeared to slow down but said afterward that he had to widen the route more than he wanted in order to avoid a defender in the flat.

“I just don’t think Jordan expected it and obviously neither did I,” Watson said. “I just had to make a decision.”

It only got worse from there.

Love threw into double coverage in the end zone on an out-and-up move by Watson. The underneath defender, Patrick Peterson, tipped the ball right into the hands of safety Keanu Neal with 3:20 left.

“That was designed for single-high defense, [but] they played a shell,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “So, I mean, I’ve got to go back and look at it, but just thought that the ball needed to go backside.”

Love got another chance, taking over at his own 19-yard line with 59 seconds left. He opened with a well-placed 46-yard completion to Jayden Reed. But a crucial mistake by running back Aaron Jones, who did not get out of bounds after a short pass, cost the Packers nearly 30 seconds of game clock.

With one shot left from the 16-yard line and three seconds remaining, Love chose Watson again. The Steelers lined up seven defenders along the goal line to cover the five the Packers sent out. To Love’s right, Watson got to the goal line and broke toward the middle, but safety Damontae Kazee jumped it for a walkoff interception.

What a play by @P2 and @Keanu_Neal 🙌

📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSnfvVk pic.twitter.com/jsAtyqMKU2

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 12, 2023

On their own, there are valid explanations for both plays at the end. But on the whole, Love has thrown 10 interceptions this season, and five of them have come while targeting Watson.

Six of Love’s interceptions have come in the fourth quarter, which is tied for the second-most by a Packers quarterback within the first nine games of a season over the past 45 years, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Brett Favre did it twice (2000, 2005). Randy Wright had the most with nine in 1986.

Five of Love’s interceptions have come with a chance to tie or take the lead in the fourth quarter. If there’s any solace to be taken in that, it’s that Aaron Rodgers had similar struggles in his first season as a starter. In 2008, Rodgers threw four interceptions with chances to tie or take the lead in the fourth quarter. Love, however, still has eight games to play.

It’s not like Love doesn’t have other options, although none have more experience or production than Watson.

After the game, the entire receiver group gathered near Reed’s locker and engaged in a lengthy-but-calm discussion. There was no obvious solution.

“Talking about the things we did good, talking about the things we can get better at,” Reed said. “That’s just the conversations we have. That’s what we’ve got to do every day, go back to work and be self-critical, watch the film, see what we’re good at and keep going on that, see what we can get better at.”

Reed, the rookie second-round pick, might be the answer to some of the problems. He caught all five passes thrown his way on Sunday for 84 yards and a touchdown. Romeo Doubs (three catches for 31 yards) had the other touchdown catch.

This field-level view though. 🤩@jordan3love ➡️ @JaydenReed5!

TOUCHDOWN! 🙌#GBvsPIT | #GoPackGo

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/dM1J42X14c

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 12, 2023

“At the end of the day, I just want to win football games,” Watson said. “Obviously, I’d love to be the guy, but if we were winning the football games, I don’t think I would have any complaints about anything. That’s the No. 1 thing. We’ve just got to find a way to win, but I’d definitely like to do more.”

Sponsored Content

Bet the World Cup in Wager.dm

You Might Also Like

2025 NFL free agency: 10 big-name players who could be cap casualties

Rather be the Bills or Ravens over the next 3 years? | First Things First

7 charged in burglary ring that struck Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, other star homes

Tee Higgins, 4 other NFL players who excelled during their franchise-tag season

BigP November 13, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    Steelers pass-rusher Highsmith clears protocol
    NFLSports News

    Steelers pass-rusher Highsmith clears protocol

    BigP BigP December 14, 2023
    Video appears to show Newton in Atlanta scuffle
    UK OC Coen released from hospital, plans return
    Patriots’ veteran captain David Andrews optimistic about offensive coaching changes
    Arizona athletic director Heeke out after 7 years
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?