The Packers’ offensive line woes this year are well documented, and they tend to lead the public discourse about the team. Rightfully so.
Dive just beyond the surface, though, and the true ouroboros becomes more clear.
A unique combination of intense pass rushing teams, green linemen, and a startlining lack of schematic understanding has made it open season on Jordan Love, who has been hit over 30 times this year. Despite that, he’s managed to throw 8 TDs (tied for third in the league).
The passing
game would come easier if the running game were respectable, though. And while it’s easy to blame Marshawn Lloyd’s poor visibility and Kaleb Johnson’s plodding nature, the offensive line hasn’t been up to the task in the run blocking game either.
Both of those issues combined mean opposing defenses are free to continue to send the house against Love all while having precisely zero respect for the running game. Everything stalls. The snake head eats itself.
Reinforcements are on the way, however. Last week’s game saw Laken Tomlinson and Travis Glover inserted into the lineup, and the instant improvement was obvious. A line that had been league worst by a country mile seemed to quickly join the “among the worst in the league” group. That small gain benefited the running game, even producing a (gasp) explosive run — a 31-yard Kaleb Johnson jaunt.
This week should see the installation of Kevin Zeitler at guard (a bonafide decent lineman!). Ideally this helps bolster a simple “big guys moving forward” approach that can benefit Kaleb Johnson. Pepper in Marshawn Lloyd as a pass-catching threat and, hey, maybe you have a backfield that defenses have to pay at least a little more attention to.
That might even free up the passing offense to breathe just a little bit, with speedsters like Christian Watson and Matthew Golden able to turn an inch of separation into a yard given the right conditions.
All of this is not to say the Packers are on their way to defeating the Chicago Bears this Sunday and truly turning their season around. Instead, I’d set expectations this way: a slightly below league average offensive line now feels at least possible. And if achieved, that would certainly allow the offense to function a bit more as intended — both on the ground and in the air. More offensive production means longer drives and more points. Both of those things benefit the defense, who have been victimized by the worst offensive time of possession in football this season.
All of this hinges first on the changes at offensive line proving out. Last week was a baby step forward. Can the Packers take another toddle this Sunday? Here’s hoping!
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Packers discussion in the Feed
There’s been a lot of heat on Packers head coach Matt LaFleur this year. Typically, that means he’s being blamed for play calling, game management, or penalty issues. This time though, there’s a different target: his loyalty to underperforming coaches on his staff.
Go Pack Go—wherever you go!
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