The Green Bay Packers, somehow, were able to hold on to a 20-19 lead and defeated the Chicago Bears for the 11th straight time on Sunday afternoon. Chicago overcame two consecutive Packers sacks of Caleb Williams (one by TJ Slaton and one by Rashan Gary) on their final drive to convert a first down after being set back to third-and-19. They got into field goal range as the seconds ticked off the clock and brought on their kicking unit for the game-winning 46-yard attempt.
But Packers defensive lineman Karl Brooks was able to leap just high enough to deflect the ball once it left Cairo Santos’ foot, preserving the ugly win for Green Bay.
On an afternoon filled with forgettable performances by many Green Bay players, one young star stood out as a major factor in the Packers’ victory.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson Had a Career Day
While many other players (on both sides of the ball) struggled, wide receiver Christian Watson came in clutch and made plays when the team needed him to the most.
Late in the game, he elevated over two Bears defenders to come down with a 48-yard reception to move the Packers down the field.
Even later, he made a diving catch on a throw that was altered because Jordan Love took a shot as he released the ball. Watson was able to get his hand underneath the ball as he fell to the ground. With no defenders near him, he got up and ran with the ball until he was brought down in the red zone.
It ended up being a 60-yard reception and led to a Love touchdown run.
Watson ended the day with four receptions (on four targets) and 150 receiving yards, a career high.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson Gets a Shoutout from NFL Legend Tom Brady
As fans who watched the game on FOX know, Tom Brady was one of the broadcasters. After every game that he calls, Brady selects one player and gives them his “LFG Go” Award. This week, he gave it to Watson:
Watson began his interview with Brady by praising the special teams unit for blocking the field goal. “I was throwing prayers up left and right,” Watson said. “Honestly though, I had faith in our team out there. They were kicking it kind of low all game, and we take a lot of pride in that PAT block, and I knew someone was going to get their paw up there.”
Brady told Watson that he thought the biggest play of the game was Watson’s 60-yard catch and run. The Packers young wide receiver revealed that he was not too happy with how he performed on that play.
Even though he knew the Bears were going to try and jam him at the line, he was slowed down by initial contact, which is why he had to dive and make the catch. “He just gave me a chance and that’s all I needed,” Watson said of Love’s throw.
Thankfully, Green Bay’s stud wideout is talented enough to have made the catch and smart enough to get up and run with it instead of assuming that he was down by contact.
