Green Bay Packers v. Bears: 6 Big Questions Revisited
By Paul Bretl
Q: How will the offensive line hold up?
A: Very well
Given all of the injuries to the offensive line, with Billy Turner being the latest, this is a question that I could probably ask each week.
Against a Bears pass rush that featured Robert Quinn and his 11 sacks, but no Khalil Mack or Akiem Hicks, the Green Bay Packers offensive line was credited with allowing only four pressures the entire game by PFF.
Early on, when Rodgers was holding on to the football looking for that downfield play, Chicago was able to get home, but that’s not necessarily the offensive line’s fault. However, as Green Bay turned to the quick passing game, Rodgers was kept very clean from the second quarter on–it’s quite difficult to create pressure when the quarterback has the ball out of his hands in 2.54 seconds.
Dennis Kelly, who took over at right tackle for Turner, didn’t allow a single pressure in his 24 pass-blocking snaps. Green Bay would also average 5.0 yards per carry on the ground as well with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon combining for 106 rushing yards.
The question that remains is can this unit keep getting by with all these injuries? The good news is that David Bakhtiari could be back at practice this week, but not every opponent that they face from here on out is going to be ranked 31st in quarterback pressure rate either.
Q: Can the Green Bay Packers field goal unit find some consistency?
A: Ironically, yes
The list of special teams blunders from Sunday goes on and on and on. And on. It includes a 97-yard punt return touchdown, several 35+ yard kick returns, a kickoff out of bounds, a muffed kick return attempt, a failed onside kick recovery, a muffed punt return attempt (I know, it didn’t count, but still), a shanked punt, and I’m sure a few other things that I’ve missed.
However, what it does not include is a missed field goal or extra-point attempt. Somehow, and the bar was low, the field goal unit was the best aspect of the special teams.
Mason Crosby finished the game 1/1 on field goals, making a 20-yard attempt, and he would hit all six of his extra-point attempts. Given all of the field goal issues this season, in no way am I saying that they’re out of the woods, but it was nice to see this unit not have any miscues during a full game–it’s been a while.