​As a longtime believer in Matthew Golden, I made it a point to specifically request a piece focusing on the first-round pick’s first career touchdown. That memorable moment from the Green Bay Packers in their Wild Card showdown ranks No. 2 on APC’s countdown of the best plays from last season. The NFC Wild Card game against the Chicago Bears isn’t a contest Green Bay wants to remember, even though Golden delivered a standout moment that stood out amid the drama.
The Packers entered the game in a position of strain, having just survived a spirited Bears comeback earlier in the season and then watching an 18-point lead slip away in a bitter playoff setback that will be etched in memory for decades. The injury-hampered season left Green Bay missing top players such as Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft, and Zach Tom, casting a pall over a year that began with promise after their high-profile trade for Parsons. Yet for Golden, that playoff night stood as the culmination of a roller-coaster year, a moment of personal triumph amid collective frustration.
In the second half, Chicago surged back, trimming Green Bay’s advantage to five after D’Andre Swift’s six-yard touchdown with just over 10 minutes remaining. Green Bay needed an answer, and they found it through a sequence of big plays from Jordan Love and the passing game, which gradually moved them into the red zone. After Romeo Doubs converted on a critical third down near the edge of the red zone, the Packers dialed up a targeted touch for Golden.
What transpired next was a remarkably engineered play. On first and ten at the 23-yard line, a swing screen to Golden appeared to be a simple option to gain a few yards. Musgrave and Watson lined up wide on the field’s far side, while Golden shifted into motion to take the swing pass. The design was straightforward, but the execution was anything but. A sturdy outside block from Luke Musgrave paired with Golden’s extraordinary, almost superhuman, effort—marked by multiple broken tackles—allowed him to carve a path through Chicago’s defense and finish with a touchdown that provided Green Bay with a much-needed cushion. The score pushed the Packers ahead 27-16 with about 6:30 remaining in the game. The ending of those final six minutes would be vividly debated, but the play itself stood out as a defining highlight of Golden’s rookie season.
That rookie year included the usual rookie growing pains, and many box score watchers quickly labeled Golden a bust due to limited production. Yet that single touchdown in the Wild Card game underscored the potential that Golden possesses and the playmaking ability he can bring to the field when given the opportunity. If you watch the film, as I did for the Best Available feature, you’ll gain a renewed appreciation for the talent and athleticism Golden can unleash on a football field.
The resonance of that touchdown goes beyond a single score. It signaled what Golden is capable of when his skill set is utilized creatively and with precision. For Packers fans and analysts, it’s a reminder that a player with elite speed, quickness, and determination can transform a game’s momentum in an instant. The play is a testament to Golden’s potential and to the coaching staff’s willingness to design plays that highlight his strengths, turning a moment of adversity into a showcase of his capabilities.
In terms of its impact on the season’s narrative, Golden’s touchdown in that first-round playoff moment stands as a beacon. It reminds us that a promising talent can emerge at the right time and under the right circumstances, offering hope for a brighter future. For fans and observers who watched the game and followed Golden’s development throughout the year, the play became a symbol of what could be—an indicator that the first-round pick has the tools to contribute at a high level when given the chance. As the Packers look ahead, that touchdown serves as a compelling example of Golden’s ceiling and a reminder that one standout play can foreshadow a budding star’s potential to shape the franchise’s fortunes in the seasons to come.