I know there are probably more exciting things to talk about – like, you know, the Packers' playoff game this weekend – but where's the fun in being excited when you can panic instead?!
Fortunately, there's plenty to panic about in Green Bay right now. The playoffs sure are fun. Most pressingly, the Packers have to figure out how they're going to throw the ball without Christian Watson. The wide receiver's season is over after tearing his ACL in Green Bay's Week 18 loss to Chicago, which is obviously a big ol' problem for the Packers' offense.
RELATED: Matt LaFleur's explanation makes Christian Watson injury look even worse
And despite the whole, "We're All The Ace" routine that the Packers' wide receiver room loves to do, life without Watson is going to be tough. Everyone's favorite NFL Twitter account, Theo Ash, explained exactly why in an equally succinct and depressing way.
This depressing Christian Watson stat probably doesn't bode super well for Packers
2024 GB receiving core without Christian Watson on the field:
— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) January 6, 2025
1.30 yards per route run
(would rank 13th)
2.4% explosive play per route
(would rank 19th)
with Watson on the field:
1.67 yards per route run
(would rank first)
3.7% explosive play per route
(would rank first)
I don't think any Packers fan is actually all that surprised to hear that Watson's the guy that makes their wide receiver group elite, but the stats are alarming nonetheless. He finished third on the team in both receiving yards, 5th in touchdowns, and 6th in receptions, but he also played significantly less snaps than Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, or Tucker Kraft.
Also kind of wild that the Packers do, actually, have an explosive passing offense hidden somewhere in their playbook. After the Week 18 loss, LaFleur explained why the passing game just never seemed to click like people expected it to this year.
"It hasn't been good," he said. "Credit to [the Bears.] They did a nice job. It is extremely frustrating right now. I think it's something we're going to have to take a deep dive into. And we have been – it's not like that's anything new. But we've got to do a better job."
And maybe this is finally the week that the Packers unlock whatever amazing, elite, Theo Ash-approved passing offense they've secretly been building, but it kinda feels like this is the week where we watch Josh Jacobs run the ball 28 times. Can't be underwhelming if you don't throw the ball at all!!