Christian Watson’s Big Game Earns Shoutout from Davante Adams

Christian Watson’s best play of the season kick-started his best game of the season and the Packers’ victory over the Lions.

DETROIT – They are completely different players, but the Green Bay Packers drafted Christian Watson in 2022 with the hope that he could help replace All-Pro Davante Adams.

On the first play of Thursday’s victory over the Detroit Lions, Watson made a big-time, leaping catch for a gain of 53 yards that earned a shoutout from Adams.

Great grab 9!!! Put some respect on Christian name!!!

— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) November 23, 2023

The play, which Watson and Jordan Love knew was coming a day earlier, set up Green Bay’s first touchdown and jump-started a 29-22 victory over the first-place Lions. The ball was underthrown but Watson did what everyone – his father included – has been preaching.

Attack the ball.

“Really just got to come down with it, got to find a way,” Watson said. “I think earlier in the season, there were a couple of those I didn’t come down with, so it’s been a focus of mine trying to find a way to make it happen regardless. There’s going to be the perfect ball and then there’s going to be good defense sometimes, you’ve just got to find a way to make a play regardless.”

Plays like that were why the Packers packaged their own second-round pick with the second-round pick obtained in the Adams trade to select Watson with the second pick of the second round in 2022.

During the final eight games of his rookie season, Watson looked like a future star when he went over 100 yards on three occasions – including 104 yards vs. Detroit in Week 18.

It took Aaron Rodgers and Watson time to get on the same page last year, and it’s been the same story with Love and Watson. In six of his first seven games this season, Watson failed to reach even 40 yards.

On Thursday, Watson caught 5-of-7 targets for 94 yards. On the next play after the 53-yarder, Watson took a big hit from safety Tracy Walker but held on for a gain of 8. On the next drive, he caught two more passes – including a leaping catch at the sideline to convert a third-and-8 – to help set up Green Bay’s second touchdown.

Comparing Love’s First 11 Games to Rodgers in 2008

Then, in the third quarter, he made a leaping catch in the end zone for his second touchdown in as many games.

“We dialed up pretty much a shot play on the slot fade and got 1-on-1 coverage,” Love said of the touchdown. “Right when I got the ball and looked over there, I saw Christian beat him off the line and got a step on him, so just put it out there and he made a great catch, finishing off.”

Watson set season highs in catches, yards and catch percentage against the Lions. After going five games without a touchdown, he’s found the end zone in back-to-back games.

If Thursday’s game was a sign of things to come, the Packers (5-6) will be in strong position to make a run at a playoff spot.

“There’s definitely a rhythm to this game, especially playing receiver,” Watson said. “I feel like when you’re able to be out there and go and play free once you get into that rhythm, it just allows you to go out there and play fast and not really be thinking about anything.

“I feel like when things aren’t going well, you’re kind of overthinking things. How to do I make this next play? How do I work this guy? When you get in that flow and that rhythm, you’re kind of just out there being you and playing fast, so it definitely helps when you get in that flow.”

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