While it is hard to judge whether this version of the Green Bay Packers is a true contender or not, one thing is certainly clear, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden are the Packers driving force on offense.
In recent memory, Green Bay has thrived on offense with having elite wide receivers, including Sterling Sharpe, Antonio Freeman, Javon Walker, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams. While during the Jordan Love-era, there have been questions as to who would be the next in that company, all of a sudden it appears that both Watson and Golden will join.
During Green Bay’s 31-7 victory over the Chicago Bears, Watson finished the game with 143 yards and two touchdowns, while Golden finished with 123 yards. That gives Watson 474 yards and six touchdowns on the season. For Golden, he is at 397 yards and two touchdowns.
“The day that they had today kind of speaks,” said Love on how good the Watson and Golden duo can be. “Those are two guys who are dominant factors and when we get flowing like this, and they are making plays and we are able to take advantage of what the defense is doing. Both of those guys are capable of doing great things.”
In what has become an offense that has seemed to not have that go-to receiver over the last few seasons, Watson has certainly separated himself from the rest of the pack as that player. Now with Golden performing the way he has this season, it makes it that much easier for Watson to win his matchups.
Defenses have to respect the talent of Golden and cannot just leave him out of the game plan. Due to that, the coverage and attention aimed at Watson cannot be as strong as some defensive coordinators would like.
By having those two players compliment each other in the pass game, it also helps the Packers nonexistent run game.
It is really difficult to move the ball down the field when the run game is not a threat, but Green Bay has shown that with talent on the outside like Watson and Golden, maybe the run game does not have to be the featured part of the offense. Once Watson and Golden get going, linebackers and safeties are forced to play deeper, allowing the run game to succeed as well.
“I love those guys and we have a lot of confidence in everybody in that room,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, on Watson and Golden.
In the Packers receiving room, Skyy Moore left Sunday’s game with an injury, so given his status, Watson and Golden may be asked to do more to make sure that the momentum that Green Bay is playing with on offense continues to carry through the season. Golden saw the punt returning role with Moore out, but on offense, a receiver is going to need to step up to take on that gadget-esque type role.
Instead of finding a new player to fill that spot, Green Bay may be more successful splitting the duties up. In their careers, both Watson and Golden have been used as the motion man and behind-the-line receiver.
With sure hands and speed from the dynamic duo, at this point in the Packers season, it seems that whenever Love targets them, good things are going to happen.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft caught five passes for 64 yards in Green Bay’s Week 5 win against the Chicago Bears. He broke loose for a 46-yard reception in the third quarter from quarterback Jordan Love, marking his longest catch of the 2026 season. The performance followed a slow start to the year as he worked his way back from an ACL injury. (Greg Mellis | Green & Gold Express)
