By Tori Wittenbrock
Associate Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – After meandering through a bit of a learning curve early on in the season, the Green Bay Packers receivers, despite their youth, seem to have proved their spot in the NFL.
Christian Watson in just his second season as a Green Bay Packers wide receiver has had a breakout year for the team, and in the Packers’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs alone had 7 receptions for 71 yards, 2 touchdowns and 15 rushing yards — by far his best game of the season in multiple respects.
“Just to have the intensity in here tonight for Sunday night football, it’s just super special. Our most important game was the one we had this week,” said Watson.
“We went out there and got it done.”
After Jordan Love’s drastic improvements this season, the improved performance of the Packers’ on the receiving end has brought leaps of success to the team.
“The more comfortable everyone is, the more locked in and just understanding our scheme as offense and the better off we’ll be.”
Another breakthrough athlete for the Packers in one of their biggest games of the season was tight end Ben Sims. After being undrafted in 2023, Sims was signed as a free agent by the Minnesota Vikings before being picked up by the Packers in August of this season. He played his first game for Green Bay against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 3. Though the numbers for his stats are limited, he put the necessary points on the board that brought the Packers up on the scoreboard. With just 1 reception on the night for 1 yard, Sims claimed his first-ever NFL career touchdown.
“I think my adrenaline was pumping so hard that I don’t remember half of it,” said Sims.
“I just think we wanted to come out and set the tone tonight, and nothing says that like coming out and being able to score a touchdown on your first drive of the night.”
Though the play was huge for Green Bay — as the game ultimately came down to being an eight-point, one-possession game — Sims remained humble, already mentally preparing for their next match up against the New York Giants (4-8) on Monday, Dec. 11.
“We try to keep the focus on our offense, on who we are and what we are trying to do,” said Sims. “Credit to Jordan (Love).”
Another young standout receiver for the team this season has been Romeo Doubs in his second season with the Green Bay Packers after being drafted in 2022.
In their game against the Chiefs, Doubs posted 4 receptions for 72 yards, his longest being 33 yards.
“He put it in the spot I needed it, where I was the only one who could get it, and the very next play Christian (Watson) got his own,”said Doubs.
As you can see, everybody’s playing different now.”
“Romeo (Doubs) makes awesome plays,” said Sims. “There was a time I was on the sidelines and the ball came down and Romeo didn’t even know where it was until the very last second. He’s a playmaker and a great teammate.”