Christian Watson just put on another show with a touchdown that was pure football brilliance, and it all started with a ridiculous read from Jordan Love. The Packers were down 17-7 in the fourth quarter, 10:58 left on the clock, when they got the ball back, facing a real uphill battle.
Love’s Pre-Snap Genius Sets Up the Play
After a drive that got a boost from a totally legit Defensive Pass Interference call, the Packers found themselves with a 2nd & goal at the 3-yard line. Just over eight minutes left, 8:02 to be exact. They lined up in 11 personnel, that’s one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers, starting out in a 2×2 formation. But then Matthew Golden made a shift to the left, putting him as the #3 receiver in a Trips set on that side. This put the Packers in a Nub formation, with three receivers to one side and the in-line tight end as the only option on the other. And boom, the Jets defender traveled with Golden, basically screaming “Man coverage” right at Jordan Love. The original plan here was an Inside Zone RPO, probably a WR Screen where Watson and Skyy Moore would block for Golden running to the flat.
The Instant Adjustment That Changed Everything
But Love is clearly on another level. Before the snap even happened, he gave a hand motion to Watson, who then relayed it to Moore. With the Jets in Man coverage and a safety squatting right in the middle, Love completely changed the play. He adjusted it to a “Stalk-and-Go” release. That meant Watson and Moore would sell an initial block, then Watson would release on a slant and Moore on a fade. This was a game-changer. It took the play from a pre-snap RPO read to a post-snap read. If they’d stuck with the WR Screen, Love would have been checking numbers pre-snap on the Trips side and handing off or throwing based on an advantage. But since the Jets had three defenders on three receivers, he’d have handed it off. By switching the routes, Love made the safety the “conflict defender” he’d read *after* the snap.
Watson’s Perfect Route Seals The Deal
As Love put the ball into the running back’s stomach, he was staring down that safety. If the safety drove on the run, the middle of the field would open up, and Love would pull and throw. If the safety stayed put, he’d hand it off. And wouldn’t you know it, the safety fired down at the line, already leaning a bit before the snap, giving away his intentions. Love pulled the ball and fired! Watson did an absolutely phenomenal job releasing at the outside shoulder on that fake block. The defender bought it, fading back with the block look, and giving up the inside on the slant. It was such good recognition from Love, and honestly, a great route from Watson. This kind of insane football, with players making split-second, high-IQ adjustments, is why we tune in. We’ve totally seen plays like this before, and honestly, it never gets old. What a highlight reel moment!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.
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