Packers dominant offensive line sparks improved play on offense

Since Week 10, the Green Bay Packers offense is averaging 26.7 points per game, which over the course of the season, would be the sixth-best average in football. By DVOA, the Packers have had one of the most effective and efficient offenses during this stretch as well.

Without question, the emergence of Christian Watson as a home run threat on the outside has been a key factor, as has the Packers’ rushing attack. However, the offensive line has been the true catalyst behind their offensive success during this run.

Through the first nine games of the season, the Packers dealt with numerous injuries along the offensive line. In fact, it wasn’t until Week 10 that they had their preferred five start and finish a game along the offensive line, and prior to that, Green Bay had utilized nine different offensive line configurations. At a position group where continuity is crucial, the Packers had everything but that through the first half of the year.

This up-and-down play led to inconsistencies in the run game, both in Aaron Jones’ and AJ Dillon’s effectiveness, along with their usage, as at times, it seemed that Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers were reluctant to lean on the ground game — a must in this offense — which likely stemmed from the play of the offensive line.

It also didn’t look like Rodgers fully had trust behind the offensive line at certain times as well, and that, of course, affected the entire passing game. There were several games where the offensive playbook was a bit limited, as the Packers leaned heavily on the quick passing game in order to get the ball out of Rodgers’ hands before the pressure could get home.

But since Week 10, the Packers have been relatively healthy along the offensive line, and that group has been playing its best football, which, no surprise, means the offense as a whole has been as well.

Since that game against Dallas, Rodgers has been pressured on only 25% of his dropbacks, which is the fourth-lowest rate among all quarterbacks during that span of games, according to Pro Football Focus. Jones and Dillon, meanwhile, have totaled 823 rushing yards over the last seven games and 4.8 yards per rush attempt. Again, over an entire season, that would be the sixth-best rate in the NFL.

When the offensive line is playing at a high level as both pass protectors and as run blockers, it really puts the imposing defense in a bind. If the opponent wants to shrink the field to stop a successful run game, it opens up opportunities in the passing game, especially with Watson on the outside. On the flip side, if Rodgers has time and the passing game is finding success, defenses may then spread out to limit downfield attempts, which then of course, creates opportunities in the run game.

David Bakhtiari has looked like his old self when on the field, allowing just nine pressures and no sacks this season. The same could be said for Elgton Jenkins since he moved back to left guard. Rodgers has routinely called Jon Runyan the most consistent player on the offensive line, while Zach Tom has filled in wherever he’s been needed.

The playoffs are within reach for the Green Bay Packers, and the offense is playing its best football of the season, which all begins with the play of the offensive line.