The Green Bay Packers have been hammered by injuries to start this season, particularly on the offensive line. That has led to a 1-2 start with Jordan Love taking 8 sacks through three games — a number that could well be more with how much pressure his line has allowed in front of him.
However, a pair of factors over the next two weeks could actually make the Packers’ matchups with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears an opportunity to get their season back on track.
First, both opponents’ quarterbacks
are dealing with injuries. Baker Mayfield and Caleb Williams look like both could miss the upcoming games against the Packers, leaving Green Bay’s defense to face some inexperienced quarterbacks. Jonathan Gannon will surely dial up some creative pressures in these next two games in that case to try to force mistakes.
Meanwhile, those two teams have some of the worst pass rush groups in the NFL. An easier pair of matchups is something the Packers’ offensive line desperately needs after giving up those 8 sacks, 20 QB hits, and a whopping 37 pressures through the first three games, according to Pro Football Reference.
Green Bay needs to win these next two games if they have any hope of turning this season around. Thankfully, the situation looks a lot more favorable for them, if they can get their own issues a bit better sorted out.
Injuries Sidetracked Packers; Injuries Might Get Them Back on Track | SI.com
Baker Mayfield’s dislocated thumb and Caleb Williams’ hamstring strain likely mean that the Packers will get to face backup QBs in each of the next two games to try to get their
NFL Network: Case Keenum expected to start for Bears vs. Eagles | NFL.com
Those Bears will start Keenum tonight despite Tyson Bagent being cleared from the concussion protocol over the weekend, presumably because Keenum got all the reps in practice this week.
Packers’ biggest offensive line problem is lack of experience | Packers Wire
Do you put more blame on the front office for not doing more to add experienced players to the line, or on the coaching staff for not adequately preparing the players that they have to work with?
Do you share this trepidation about the Packers and backup quarterbacks? Personally, I’d still much rather face the likes of Jalon Daniels and either Bagent or Keenum than Mayfield and Williams.
Here’s some extra good news: the Bucs and Bears both have bad pass rush units.
Maybe the Packers really do have a chance to get right over these next two games.
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