Possible offensive line combinations for Packers with Bakhtiari and Nijman’s statuses unknown

We are once again wondering what the Green Bay Packers offensive line configuration is going to look like this week.

Matt LaFleur categorized Yosh Nijman as “day-to-day” on Monday, while Aaron Rodgers mentioned on the Pat McAfee Show that he feels “confident” that David Bakhtiari is trending towards playing on Sunday.

If both can play, one would think that this makes this entire discussion relatively simple, with the Packers having their preferred starting five back on the offensive line. However, that also means that Zach Tom would head back to the bench, and with Matt LaFleur often talking about putting the best five on the field, it’s hard to argue that he isn’t one of them. Since taking over at left tackle, Tom has allowed just four pressures and no sacks in three games, per PFF. With that said, in this scenario, that’s my guess as to what happens.

If Bakhtiari is unavailable, Tom will, of course, continue at left tackle. But where things start to get a bit complicated, and more movement will be involved, is if Nijman isn’t able to play.

My guess is that Newman won’t take over at right tackle again. I think the Packers had to do that for continuity in the middle of a game because the alternative would have required a lot of movement. What I believe happens is Jenkins would head back to right tackle, and Tom would take over at left guard, where he’s played 96 snaps this season.

Jenkins was the Packers starting right tackle from Weeks 2 through 6, and he had some very up-and-down play while there. In addition to working his way back from an ACL injury, this was a relatively new position for him as well, and both factors likely contributed to his play. But since moving back to left guard, Jenkins has allowed only one sack and four pressures over eight games–looking like his old self.

In the worst possible situation, where Green Bay is without both Nijman and Bakhtiari, Tom and Jenkins would be the tackles, and from there, I’d venture to guess that Jon Runyan would move back to left guard, where he has spent most of his career and Newman goes to right guard, again, where he has the most experience. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to this.

The Green Bay Packers have been much more effective on offense as of late, ranking fourth in DVOA during the last five games. A lot of that success begins with the improved play and health of the offensive line since the Dallas game in Week 10. For the most part, the run game has been very good, which has helped open up the playbook and passing game, along with Aaron Rodgers more of than not having the time he needs in the pocket. Since Week 10, the Packers’ offensive line hasn’t allowed more than nine pressures in a game.

This week, the Packers’ offensive line will face the Minnesota Vikings, specifically Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter at edge rusher, both of whom rank in the top 10 in total pressures created at their position. I’m sure, as you recall, in Week 1, with a makeshift offensive line that included Newman at right tackle and Jake Hanson at right guard, the Vikings had the right side of the offensive line on its heels for much of the game, which, of course, had a negative trickle-down effect to the rest of the offense.

As the week goes on and practices take place, we will have a better idea of who may be available for the Packers up front on Sunday. But at this moment, with Bakhtiari and Nijman’s availabilities unknown, there are several possible combinations out there that Green Bay could choose to utilize, and if the Packers are going to keep their playoff hopes alive, it begins with the play of the offensive line.