Packers’ Jordan Love still looking for a go-to pass-catcher،
PITTSBURGH — When it came time to win Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jordan Love chose to throw to Christian Watson.
Twice.
When both attempts ended the same way – with interceptions in or near the end zone – it begs the question why the Green Bay Packers quarterback can’t seem to find a way to win a close match.
This may not be the right thing to ponder.
After Sunday’s 23-19 loss — which dropped the Packers 3-6 to 1-4 in games decided by four points or less — perhaps we should wonder why Love continues to try to go at Watson.
Love targeted the speedy second-year receiver seven times on Sunday. They connected on just two of them for 23 yards. Watson has caught just 42 percent of his passes this season, which at the end of Sunday’s game gave him the lowest catch rate among the 126 players who had at least 30 targets this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
“It’s frustrating, for sure, considering the expectations I have for myself, the goal I have for myself,” Watson said after the game. “And obviously it’s [frustrating] when we are not as successful as we would like as a team. I just want to find ways to try to make more of an impact. But at the end of the day, I’m only one of 11 people on the field, so we just have to find a way to make it happen as a team. »
At first, it seemed like Watson’s deep catch against the Rams last week sparked something. He caught Love’s first two passes Sunday: a 9-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage and a 14-yard crossing two plays later.
And then, nothing.
In one of two third-quarter drives that stopped in the red zone and resulted in field goals, Love and Watson were unable to connect on a deep ball down the left side. The ball was well beyond Watson, who appeared to slow down but later said he had to widen the path more than he wanted in order to avoid a defender in the flat.
“I just don’t think Jordan expected it and obviously neither did I,” Watson said. “I just had to make a decision.”
From there, it only got worse.
Love threw double coverage into the end zone on a move from Watson. The underneath defender, Patrick Peterson, sent the ball straight into the hands of safety Keanu Neal with 3:20 remaining.
“This was designed for a single height defense, [but] they played a shell,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “So, I mean, I have to go back and look at it, but I just thought the ball had to go backwards.”
Love had another chance, taking over at his own 19-yard line with 59 seconds remaining. He opened with a well-placed 46-yard completion to Jayden Reed. But a crucial mistake by running back Aaron Jones, who failed to go out of bounds after a short pass, cost the Packers nearly 30 seconds of game clock.
With a throw left from the 16-yard line with 3 seconds left, Love picked off Watson again. The Steelers lined up seven defenders along the goal line to cover the five sent by the Packers. To Love’s right, Watson reached the goal line and escaped toward the middle, but safety Damontae Kazee jumped him for an interception.
What a play @P2 And @Keanu_Neal 🙌
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSnfvVk pic.twitter.com/jsAtyqMKU2
– Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 12, 2023
On their own, there are valid explanations for both games at the end. But overall, Love has thrown 10 interceptions this season, and five of them came while targeting Watson.
Six of Love’s interceptions came in the fourth quarter, which is tied for the second-most by a Packers quarterback in the first nine games of a season in the last 45 years, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Brett Favre did it twice (2000, 2005). Randy Wright had the most with nine in 1986.
Five of Love’s interceptions resulted in a chance to tie or take the lead in the fourth quarter. If there’s any consolation to be found, it’s that Aaron Rodgers had similar struggles in his first season as a starter. In 2008, Rodgers threw four interceptions with chances to tie or take a lead in the fourth quarter. However, Love still has eight games remaining.
It’s not like Love doesn’t have other options, although none have more experience or production than Watson.
After the game, the entire group of receivers gathered near Reed’s locker and engaged in a long but quiet discussion. There was no obvious solution.
“Talking about the things we did well, talking about the things we can get better at,” Reed said. “It’s just the conversations that we have. That’s what we have to do every day, go back to work and be self-critical, watch the film, see what we’re good at and continue on that path, see what we can learn better.”
Reed, the rookie second-round pick, could be the answer to some of the problems. He caught all five passes thrown Sunday for 84 yards and a touchdown. Roméo Doubs (three catches for 31 yards) scored the other touchdown.
This view at field level though. 🤩@jordan3love ➡️ @JaydenReed5!
LANDING! 🙌#GBvsPIT | #GoPackGo
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/dM1J42X14c
– Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 12, 2023
“At the end of the day, I just want to win football games,” Watson said. “Obviously, I would love to be that guy, but if we won the football games, I don’t think I would complain about anything. That’s the No. 1 thing. We just have to find a way win, but I would really like to do more.”
