Continuity on offensive line helps spark Packers offense vs. Dallas

Among the many issues that the Green Bay Packers have dealt with on offense this season, injuries to the offensive line has been a big one. In fact, prior to the Packers’ Week 10 matchup with Dallas, they had already utilized nine different offensive line configurations during the season.

However, for the first time all season on Sunday, Green Bay not only had their preferred five starters along the offensive line, but the entire unit finished the game together as well. And not coincidentally, the Packers’ offense happened to have its best performance of the season.

While, rightfully so, many of the discussions centered around the Packers’ offensive struggles this season involve Matt LaFleur, Aaron Rodgers, and the wide receivers, the lack of continuity up front has been a key contributor as well. If the offensive line is getting beat, then little is going to go right.

With question marks on the offensive line, the Packers have relied heavily this season on the quick passing game, with Rodgers’ average time to throw is the lowest of his career, according to PFF ($$). This, of course, limits the offense to a degree, especially when opposing defenses are already crowding the line of scrimmage and pressing the receivers. Tight ends have also had to chip, which, again, limits what they can do in the passing game as well.

Overall, the Packers run game has remained efficient, although there have been times when moving the ball on the ground has been a challenge. There have also been instances, with the Washington game being a prime example, of LaFleur and Rodgers simply not trusting the run game and going away from it rather quickly.  Unlike in years past, this Packers’ offense can’t overcome not having a consistent rushing attack.

A healthy offensive line, however, can help cure a lot of these ailments and have a positive trickle-down to the rest of the offense. Against a Dallas defense that ranked third in points per game and was among the best at pressuring the quarterback, Green Bay held its own up front, allowing just five pressures on 23 dropbacks, with Micah Parsons being a non-factor for much of the game by recording just one pressure.

This performance also included Rodgers holding on to the ball for an average time of 2.81-seconds, by far the longest of the season, and that afforded him the opportunity to lean heavily on play-action and to have the time to connect on some much-needed downfield throws.

In the run game, the Packers capitalized on the Cowboys’ aggressiveness, which makes them a dominant pass rush unit, but that also hinders them against the run. With the defenders flying upfield, the Packers were able to open up running lanes between the tackles and setting the edge, which resulted in Jones averaging 5.7 yards per carry on 13 attempts.

"“It’s just nice to have that continuity,” said offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich via Packers.com. “Obviously, upfront, there’s still a lot of things we got to clean up, but it was good to just have those guys out there–your best five. So I think it really helped our offense perform efficiently.”"

The Green Bay Packers currently find themselves at 4-6 and still two full games out of the final playoff spot in the NFC. The offense will also have another challenging matchup this week with Tennessee, who has been very good against the run and pressuring the quarterback.

Although there are a number of factors that go into determining whether the Green Bay offense will find success, it all begins with the play of the offensive line.