It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Green Bay Packers offensive line has found ways to overcome injuries and position changes to help keep quarterback Jordan Love upright and give him enough time to find open receivers. It has required creativity, toughness, and versatility, but they have found a way to get the job done. Today, we look at the Packers offensive line and how they are thriving at protecting the quarterback despite injuries and constant changes.
The Packers Offensive Line is Thriving Despite Injuries: The Numbers
The Packers offensive line has done a good job in pass protection this season. Through 12 games, the team has allowed just 17 sacks, an average of just 1.4 sacks per game. Only the Broncos with 14 and Seahawks with 15, have allowed fewer and the Seahawks are a run heavy offense, so they throw fewer passes than most NFL teams.
Obviously, Love’s ability to elude the rush and extend plays factors into these strong statistics, but the ability of the offensive line to keep pass rushers at bay is an even bigger factor. And when Love has a clean pocket, he is among the most accurate passers in the league this season.
Overall, Love has completed 67 percent of his passes and has thrown 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions. His improved play as of late is partially due to the improvement of the offensive line and it’s ability to protect him.
Overcoming Injuries
The Packers offensive line has overcome a rash of injuries to get to where they are. At the start of the season, free agent addition Aaron Banks was expected to start at left guard while last season’s starter at that position, Elgton Jenkins, was moving to center.
Unfortunately, Banks missed time early in the season due to an assortment of injuries. He managed to return to the lineup but sat out two full games and parts of others. Now that Banks is healthier, he has managed to improve his pass blocking grades according to Pro Football Focus although his run blocking has been a bit disappointing.
Meanwhile, Jenkins struggled to live up to expectations at center. Then, he suffered an injury was lost for the season during the Packers loss to the Eagles. As a result, the Packers had to move right guard Sean Rhyan to center.
Starting left tackle Rasheed Walker got off to a slow start but has been more consistent in recent weeks. His Pro Football Focus pass blocking grades have climbed in recent weeks and are now in the good range.
Right tackle, Zach Tom, remains the team’s highest graded pass blocker. Tom also missed time earlier in the season due to an assortment of injuries but has played well in recent weeks.
The Packers Offensive Line is Thriving Despite Injuries: Versatility Helps
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur have always preferred offensive linemen that can play multiple positions. They also have indicated they want the best five players on the field as starters.
The versatility has helped the team this season. Rhyan has started games at both guard and center. Rookie Anthony Belton has played tackle and guard. Former first round pick, Jordan Morgan, has played both guard and tackle at different times this season and has played on both the left and right side.
This has given LaFleur and his coaching staff the luxury of trying different combinations when injuries struck, or players have not performed up to expectations. The hope was that you will eventually find a starting lineup that works.
Looking ahead, we know Love and LaFleur like to take shots at throwing the ball downfield. They will not be able to succeed at this without adequate pass protection. This has a big impact on the effectiveness of the Green Bay offense.
If the Packers hope to make a run at the Super Bowl this season, they will need the offensive line to hold up and play well. It may be held together this season with spit and scotch tape due to constant lineup changes, but somehow, thus far, they have found a way to get the job done.
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