The Green Bay Packers’ deep game has been an absolute nightmare for defenses this season, racking up a league-leading 33 explosive passing plays of 20-plus yards. While their overall offense might be stuck in the middle of the pack, ranking 20th in points and 18th in yards per game, one thing is clear: when Jordan Love drops back, he’s looking to sling it deep.
Love’s Bombs and New England’s Big Problem
Jordan Love isn’t just taking shots, he’s connecting on them. The guy is tied for the league lead with 17 completions of 20-plus air yards, and his average depth of target sits at a hefty 9.8 yards, good for third in the entire league. Patriots safety Kevin Byard didn’t mince words, saying, “This team lives off of taking shots. They’re an explosive-play team, a vertical-passing team. So, this will be a huge challenge for us as a defense.” Byard knows exactly what the Patriots are up against: a team that wants to throw the ball over their heads every single down.
And that’s a problem for New England, whose defense has been, shall we say, a bit inconsistent when it comes to stopping these big plays. They’ve already given up 25 of them through eight games, which is the 10th-worst mark in the league. If they keep up that average this Sunday, it’s going to be a long day against a Packers squad that’s built to exploit those exact vulnerabilities.
The Nasty Duo: Watson and Golden
A huge reason Green Bay can go vertical like this? Their receiving corps, specifically the one-two punch of Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. Defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr called them a “nasty duo there about taking the top off,” and Byard echoed that, saying Watson “may be the fastest receiver in the league; he’s always a big play threat anytime he touches the ball.” Watson leads the team with 708 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 42 catches, averaging a ridiculous 16.9 yards per reception.
But don’t sleep on Matthew Golden, either. The second-year player has “a lot of juice,” according to Byard, catching 43 passes for 619 yards and four scores, at 14.4 yards per catch. Together, these two have been responsible for 54 of Green Bay’s 97 passing first downs this year. They are the engine driving that explosive deep game.
The Checkdown Dilemma and the Drop Factor
So, what’s the game plan for the Patriots? Byard laid it out: “Obviously trying to be sticky in coverage, but also when we are playing zone, making sure we’re getting back in our zones, making sure we’re actually forcing those checkdowns. And sometimes I think in this game we’re going to have to accept the four- or five-yard checkdowns and not allowing the ball to get thrown over our head.” Basically, take what’s given, don’t let them beat you deep.
There might be one glimmer of hope for the Patriots’ defense, though: drops. Green Bay’s pass catchers have let 23 passes slip through their hands this season, with Matthew Golden leading the entire league with nine drops. It’s a double-edged sword: he’s getting open and creating separation, as Byard noted, but he’s also making some crucial mistakes.
This Sunday, the Patriots are staring down an aerial assault. Can they force those checkdowns and capitalize on the Packers’ drop issues, or will Watson and Golden light up their secondary with more explosive plays? It’s going to be a huge test for that defense, no question.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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