{"id":108975,"date":"2025-10-17T10:40:34","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T10:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=108975"},"modified":"2025-10-17T10:40:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T10:40:34","slug":"%f0%9f%8f%88-%f0%9f%94%a5-breaking-packers-rookie-matthew-golden-is-becoming-a-clutch-target-in-crucial-moments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=108975","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udfc8 \ud83d\udd25 BREAKING: PACKERS ROOKIE MATTHEW GOLDEN IS BECOMING A CLUTCH TARGET IN CRUCIAL MOMENTS!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Packers<\/p>\n

Green Bay Packers’ Matthew Golden (0) makes a catch against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo\/Matt Ludtke)<\/p>\n

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) \u2014 Green Bay Packers receiver Matthew Golden has become one of Jordan Love\u2019s most reliable targets. The way Golden sees it, that first touchdown is coming up on the horizon.<\/p>\n

The rookie made a clutch catch on fourth down in the Packers\u2019 40-all tie at Dallas, and then had a key third-down reception that led to the clinching field goal in a 27-18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s just what the Packers were looking for when they selected Golden with the No. 23 pick in the draft, making him the first wide receiver they had chosen in the opening round since taking Florida State\u2019s Javon Walker 20th overall in 2002.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019m playing a lot faster,\u201d Golden said Wednesday. \u201cMy confidence is definitely going up the more plays that I make. At the same time, I\u2019m just out there having fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Golden will try building on that success Sunday when the Packers (3-1-1) visit the Arizona Cardinals (2-4).<\/p>\n

His emergence has boosted a Green Bay offense playing without injured receivers Jayden Reed and Christian Watson. Reed has missed three games since undergoing surgery on his shoulder and foot. Watson returned to practice last week as he makes his comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.<\/p>\n

Their absences have forced other pass catchers to pick up the slack. Tight end Tucker Kraft is Green Bay\u2019s leading receiver, while fourth-year wideout Romeo Doubs has a team-high four touchdown catches.<\/p>\n

But Golden has been stepping up lately when games are on the line.<\/p>\n

The Packers trailed Dallas 40-37 in overtime when Golden caught a 14-yard pass on fourth-and-6, a play that eventually led to Brandon McManus\u2019 tying 34-yard field goal.<\/p>\n

Two weeks later, the Packers were clinging to a 24-18 lead late in the fourth quarter and faced third-and-8 from their own 40 when Love found Golden for a 31-yard gain. Golden\u2019s catch set up a 39-yard Lucas Havrisik field goal that essentially clinched the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s all the stuff that he\u2019s done since he got here in practice that gives you that confidence in him,\u201d Love said. \u201cObviously sometimes the game doesn\u2019t always show, but it\u2019s all the work he\u2019s put in behind the scenes, understanding the game plan inside and out and just going out there and making plays in practice. I tell him all the time, stuff\u2019s going to keep translating to the games so just keep staying confident and going out there and executing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Golden\u2019s poise under pressure shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise, considering his background.<\/p>\n

He kept Texas\u2019 season alive during the College Football Playoff with a 28-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-13 to force a second overtime in the Longhorns\u2019 39-31 Peach Bowl victory over Arizona State.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to the University of Texas so I\u2019m kind of used to that kind of environment,\u201d Golden said. \u201cIt just goes back to my confidence. I never think anything is too big for me. I kind of keep my head level and keep my head over my shoulders and just always tell myself, \u2018Go out there and have fun. You\u2019ve been waiting to get put in this position. Now you\u2019re here.’\u201d<\/p>\n

Golden says he\u2019s getting more accustomed to the speed of the game in the NFL.<\/p>\n

He had just two receptions for 16 yards in his pro debut and went without a catch in his second game. But he has totaled 12 receptions for 196 yards in three games since. Golden had three catches for a career-high 86 yards against Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis confidence is definitely growing, and it\u2019s his ability to play faster and freer as he continues to get those reps,\u201d Watson said. \u201cHe\u2019s just thinking less, for sure. You can tell by how fast he\u2019s been playing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next step is getting that first touchdown. Golden is remaining patient in that regard.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we\u2019re winning, that\u2019s all that matters,\u201d Golden said after the Bengals game. \u201cI know that\u2019s going to come, and when they do, it\u2019s going to come at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Notes: McManus (quadriceps), OT Zach Tom (oblique\/back), DL Lukas Van Ness (foot) and DL Devonte Wyatt (knee) didn\u2019t practice Wednesday. McManus and Wyatt didn\u2019t play against Cincinnati. Tom played, but he was clearly in pain. \u2026 OG Aaron Banks (groin\/knee), OT Anthony Belton (ankle), RB Josh Jacobs (illness), OL Jacob Monk (hamstring), OL Jordan Morgan (knee), Watson (knee) and WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) were limited.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) \u2014 Green Bay Packers receiver Matthew Golden has become one of Jordan Love\u2019s most reliable targets. The way Golden sees it, that first touchdown is coming up on the horizon. The rookie made a clutch catch on fourth down in the Packers\u2019 40-all tie at Dallas, and then had a key [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":108976,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[747,4182,4181],"class_list":["post-108975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl","tag-national-sports","tag-packers-rookie-matthew-golden-already-emerging-as-reliable-target-in-crucial-situations","tag-packers-rookie-matthew-golden-already-emerging-as-reliable-target-in-crucial-situationssports"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83c\udfc8 \ud83d\udd25 BREAKING: PACKERS ROOKIE MATTHEW GOLDEN IS BECOMING A CLUTCH TARGET IN CRUCIAL MOMENTS! - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=108975\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83c\udfc8 \ud83d\udd25 BREAKING: PACKERS ROOKIE MATTHEW GOLDEN IS BECOMING A CLUTCH TARGET IN CRUCIAL MOMENTS! - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"GREEN BAY, Wis. 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