4 Big Things from Green Bay Packers No. 1 Seed Clinching Win
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers OL dominated the trenches
If you win in the trenches, more often than not, you’re going to win the game–and that is exactly what the Green Bay Packers offensive line did against the Vikings.
Aaron Rodgers had all the time he needed in the pocket to survey the field and find an open pass-catcher. According to ESPN, Rodgers was not sacked, he was hit only three times, and PFF ($$) credited the offensive line with allowing only seven pressures—their fourth straight game not allowing more than nine.
On the ground, the tackles and tight ends did a very good job of sealing the edge and allowing Aaron Jones to hit the corner, while AJ Dillon averaged 4.5 yards between the tackles. As a team, Green Bay averaged 5.4 yards per carry, and you could tell the Viking defensive front was worn down in the second half, which led to a few plays where the Green Bay offensive line was moving that entire unit down the field.
Now, I’ll add the caveat that this Vikings defense ranks 27th in pass-rush win rate and 32nd in run-stop win rate per ESPN, but as we all know, this is a Green Bay offensive line down four of their five preferred starters–yet once again, they continue to get the job done, and it was a particularly impressive performance this week.