After a thrilling showdown in Lambeau, the Green Bay Packers have dethroned the Chicago Bears and sit atop the NFC North. After a great first half, the Bears clawed their way back to a one-score game before Keisean Nixon produced the game-sealing interception. It took every bit of effort to take home the win, but one player went above and beyond.
Christian Watson continued to show just how vital he is to this Green Bay team, delivering his best performance of the season after returning from injury in Week 8. Successfully catching all four of his targets, the fourth-year Packer ended the day with 89 receiving yards and two touchdowns, the most in either statistic across both teams.
Both of Watson's touchdowns relied on his speed, stretching across the field with a defender in his wake. During his second scoring play, a 41-yard reception, Watson hit a speed of 21.6 mph, leaving Chicago's C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the dust.
Christian Watson is reaching new heights and giving the Packers a true WR1
"They went all out on that one, they went all out pressure." Jordan Love said of the Bears' defense on that play. "We just changed the route with Christian. He did a great job just creating that separation and being able to go win across the field and beat the guy with speed."
The former second-round pick has found the end zone five times in the last four weeks, making up for missed time after ending the 2024 season with an ACL injury during Green Bay's Week 18 loss to the Bears. His return has breathed new life into the Packers' offense, which became even more dangerous this week thanks to Jayden Reed's return.
"[Christian] is a dynamic player," Matt LaFleur said in a post-game press conference. "I'm just really proud of how he has responded and how he has worked."
Watson's size, speed, and reliability have set him apart from the rest of Green Bay's receiver corps in the last few weeks. And with the Packers now in control of the NFC North, he'll be a vital piece of the offense as the team continues its push for a Super Bowl.
Hoping to extend their three-game win streak, the Packers head to Denver next week, where they face one of the toughest defenses in the league.