Matthew Golden absolutely ripped off a 37-yard reception against the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday, showing everyone what happens when a killer concept finally connects. For anyone who’s been watching the Packers this season, this wasn’t just a big play, it was a moment of redemption for a route that had frustrated us earlier in the season.
The Huggo That Almost Was: Week 3 Woes
We all remember Week 3 against the Falcons, right? The Packers were rolling out this super slick variant of the classic “Hank” concept. Now, Hank itself is a reliable, chain-moving play. It’s got the outside guy running a Hitch, the inside guy running a Flat. It pulls in about 5.8 yards per attempt with a 50% success rate on the season. But this variant, what I’ve been calling the “Huggo” (Hitch-and-Go, just like a Slant-and-Go is a Sluggo), is designed for pure explosion. Golden was on this route against the Falcons, trying to hit that quick cut on the Hitch, then explode upfield vertically. But it just didn’t work. The pass was incomplete, looking like an overthrow from Jordan Love, and it left a bad taste after what seemed like such a promising idea. It was a good concept, but the execution wasn’t there, and honestly, that Week 3 game had a lot of moments that just left you shaking your head.
Redemption Against the Cowboys: A 37-Yard Bomb
Fast forward to this past week’s win over the Cowboys. Midway through the first quarter, the Packers dusted off the Huggo again. And who was running it? None other than Matthew Golden, working from the outside. There was some contact at the line, but Golden spun cleanly, creating separation from coverage. This time? Love unleashed a beautiful throw. It was just laid right over Golden’s shoulder, light as a feather, hitting him perfectly in stride. That connection resulted in a massive 37-yard gain. And get this: a few plays later, the Packers punched it in for a touchdown, taking a 7-0 lead. Talk about a momentum shifter! We saw another big play from Golden on a post route later, with Love holding the safety and opening up the middle, but that Huggo was the showstopper.
The Secret Sauce: Timing Is Everything
So, what changed? Was it just a better throw from Love? We’ve seen the Huggo concept a couple of times over the years, and the key has always been a lightning-fast sell on the Hitch, an immediate spin, and then a vertical release. Against the Falcons, Golden had a *definite* stop, a momentary sit, and *then* the spin outside. That was a clear difference from how it had been run before. The timing was off. That stop on the Hitch before releasing meant it took longer for Golden to get downfield. When I watched that Week 3 play, I wondered if it was a coaching change or if Golden was just taking an extra beat. After seeing what went down against the Cowboys, we have our answer. Golden cut on the Hitch, spun, and released quickly. That’s the way this explosive play is meant to be run. It’s a subtle adjustment, but it makes all the difference, turning an incomplete pass into a massive gain that sets up a touchdown.
Looking ahead, seeing Matthew Golden execute the Huggo route flawlessly gives the Packers offense another dynamic weapon. If they can keep this connection cooking, it opens up so many possibilities and keeps defenses guessing. I’m pumped to see if they unleash this explosive play again and how other teams try to shut it down.
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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