Biggest Problem for Packers? It’s No Contest

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers’ passing game has been painful to watch, with inaccurate throws, shoddy pass protection and dropped passes providing the stubbed toes, hammered thumbs and skinned knees to a disappointing start to the season. While there’s been plenty of “ow,” there hasn’t been much “wow.” The best receivers don’t just get open and catch the ball. They make the highlight-reel plays – the diving grabs on third down, the toe-tapping plays at the sideline and the leaping catches in the end zone. The Packers haven’t made many of those, which is a big reason why they’ve lost four in a row entering Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. In data provided to Packer Central by Pro Football Focus, Jordan Love has given his pass-catchers 47 opportunities in contested-catch situations. They’ve caught 10.

That contested-catch rate of 21.3 percent is by far the worst in the NFL. The only other teams at less than 30 percent are the Tennessee Titans (28.6 percent) and Kansas City Chiefs (29.7 percent). Every other team is at least 10 percent better. Right in the middle of the pack, the Carolina Panthers have caught 41.2 percent of their contested-catch chances. The Rams are 10th at 43.3 percent. The Detroit Lions are No. 1 at 59.0 percent.

Romeo Doubs is Green Bay’s best, catching 5-of-13 (38.5 percent). The other starting receivers have been horrendous. Christian Watson is 0-for-8 and rookie Jayden Reed is 0-for-7. Watson has the most contested-catch chances in the NFL without a reception. Reed has the second-most. “I think No. 1, that starts with the attitude of the guy going up for the ball. ‘It’s either mine or nobody’s,’” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “And then, we practice that a lot actually where we’re working on fades and stuff like that. I think Romeo’s done a really good job in those situations. It all starts with a

mindset of just going up there and attacking that ball.” Packers WR Christian Watson can’t come down a pass vs. the Vikings.Photo by Benny Sieu/USA Today Sports Images Photo by Benny Sieu/USA Today Sports Images Watson’s 0-for-8 is stunning. As a rookie last year, of all receivers with at least 10 contested-catch chances, Watson’s 9-of-12 for 75.0 percent was tied for the best in the NFL. With his superior blend of height and athleticism, a 50/50 ball should slant in his direction. Instead, it’s been 0/100 in his four games.