How Packers playmakers can put the NFC on notice 5 Green Bay wide receiver Christian Watson (9) makes a catch against Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.

How Packers playmakers can put the NFC on notice

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Dec 1, 2025 12:53 PM ET

The Packers are about to enter a gauntlet.

Green Bay faces the NFL’s second-most difficult closing stretch of games in the league, including two contestes against the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears, the Denver Broncos, top seed in the AFC, and a desperate Baltimore Ravens team hoping to stave off elimination from playoff contention.

If the Packers are going to get across the finish line, they are going to need the star players assembled around quarterback Jordan Love to step up in a big way.

Jordan Love’s Packers wide receivers stepping up

Perhaps Thursday’s victory over the division rival Detroit Lions was a turning point for the Packers’ receiving corps.

Perpetually plagued by dropped passes and missed opportunities, especially in emerging star tight end Tucker Kraft’s absence, the Packers rose to the moment in Detroit.

“The only dropped Packers pass I saw against the Lions,” veteran NFL reporter Mike Tanier writes for the Too Deep Zone. “Was an uncalled pass interference penalty where a defender yanked Watson’s hand away before the ball arrived. Jordan Love’s receivers generally made plays to help him, just as they did against the Vikings.

“Romeo Doubs did fumble deep in the red zone, though the Packers recovered. And we’re just a few weeks removed from a droptacular performance on both sides of the ball against the Giants. But heaven help the rest of the NFC if the Packers playmaker corps, despite multiple injuries, actually starts living up to expectations.”

Packers' Jordan Love checks major box with vintage performance in win over Lions 2 Nov 27, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) calls a play against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

If the Packers can avoid dropped passes, and continue to make the kind of plays that Christian Watson did against the Lions, especially with a clutch fourth-down catch to put the game on ice, this offense is going to take a big step not just to living up to its potential but being a driving force behind a deep playoff run.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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