Green Bay Packers v Seattle Seahawks / Steph Chambers/GettyImages
It’s nothing new. When the ball goes to Christian Watson regularly, good things happen for the Green Bay Packers’ offense.
Watson caught three passes for a team-high 56 yards in the Packers’ win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. That included an incredible toe-tap on the sideline to bring in a 35-yard pass from Jordan Love.
The numbers don’t tell the full story. Watson consistently got behind the Seahawks’ secondary and drew pass-interference calls. Seattle’s defense had no choice but to interfere with the pass because Watson had beaten them.
There was a scary moment late in the game when Watson appeared to be slow to get up. The last thing the Packers need is to lose one of their best receivers ahead of a potential playoff run.
But don’t worry. He’s fine.
Christian Watson says he took a cleat to the shin on final play vs. Seahawks
Fortunately, Watson didn’t suffer an injury at the end of the game. He revealed that he took a cleat to the shin, which is painful but not a concern.
“I’m alright,” Watson said postgame.
Watson has had to overcome several unfair narratives this season, including that he is injury-prone. While he has previously dealt with hamstring injuries, Watson put in the work to find the root cause in the offseason, and so far, he’s had no hamstring issues this season. The third-year receiver has missed one game due to an unavoidable ankle injury after being landed on awkwardly.
The other narrative is that Watson always drops passes. He really doesn’t. Packers receivers have struggled with drops this season, but not Watson. He only has one. It was a notable play, as Watson dropped a potential 49-yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers, but that’s the only one all year.
Watson is often under-appreciated. He makes a clear impact every time he’s on the field, simply by how defenses respond to him. Watson consistently makes big plays, blocks well, and creates space for his teammates.
The Packers need him. Fortunately, he didn’t suffer an injury on Sunday night.
