The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of a three-game winning streak and firmly in the playoff mix after a 1-2 start to the season. On Sunday night, the Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 23-13 in primetime, and they looked like a true force. Quarterback Jordan Love has looked more confident throwing the football deep downfield, and it should result in a truly explosive offense.
Wide receiver Matthew Golden had a big game, catching 6-of-13 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown. However, Golden could have had an even more impressive game, had he hauled in two more touchdown receptions that he dropped. Both passes were deep throws from Love that hit Golden in the hands, but the receiver was unable to haul them in.
After the game, Golden told reporters that he didn't want to look back at the dropped passes, as he has the utmost confidence in himself. As it turns out, Love has the utmost confidence in the second-round receiver.
Jordan Love has belief in Matthew Golden despite drops in Week 6
Golden has a huge fan in Love, and that was evident after the game. While holding his postgame press conference, Love revealed that Golden approached him and told him to "keep trusting [him]." Love said he never holds a bad play against a player and that he will continue to give them another chance. That includes Golden, who knows he's like those two drops back.
"That’s what you love. You love to see that confidence, that resiliency. That’s what I tell these guys all the time. Don’t hang your head ever after a bad play. Just expect the ball to keep coming your way and make that next play," said Love, h/t The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.
Love is not the kind of quarterback that will put his pass catchers in the proverbial doghouse if they fail to make a play. He has all the trust in the world for them to put their mistakes behind them and to go out there and make another play.
Golden also took the time out to praise Love, saying his abilities help make his job easier during games.
"That's the quarterback that you want to be on your team," said Golden, h/t USA Today's Ryan Wood. "Just the things he can do getting out of the pocket, extending plays, and being able to make more plays. It makes our job easier being able to play with a dude like that. He's different."
Matthew Golden has shown glimpses of being long-term star for Packers
Had Golden hauled in those additional two touchdown receptions, we would be spending Monday praising a true superstar performance. That is not the case. Even with those drops, Golden has shown he can be a long-term target for Love in the passing offense.
Golden's rookie season wasn't much to write home about, considering he wasn't near the top of the depth chart. It took until Week 3 of this season to record his first touchdown reception. In that game, he also logged his first game of 100 receiving yards, which arrived after catching 5-of-12 targets. His most productive game was easily in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears, where he caught six-of-seven targets for 123 yards.
Golden has already exceeded his receiving yards total from his rookie year, with more than 11 games left in the regular season. He has shown he can be a true threat in the passing game while lined up on the opposite side with Christian Watson. The thing is, he needs to make those big plays to ensure they not only pick up wins, but victories against top opponents, especially if they want to make it into and through the playoffs.
Even with a game of mixed results, Love isn't losing faith in Golden.
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