The Packers’ injuries at wide receiver have garnered the headlines, but Green Bay’s issues up front along the offensive line may be an even bigger concern.
In addition to the Packers’ offense being wildly inconsistent, generally, through the season’s first four games, Green Bay is looking to get Zach Tom and Aaron Banks back on the field and in peak form, Green Bay needs to do a far better job of protecting quarterback Jordan Love and opening rush lanes for running back Josh Jacobs.
Over at Sports Illustrated, Jacob Slinkman suggests that fixing the offensive line is one of the Packers’ biggest keys to success down the stretch this season.
“The line cleaned up the sacks against the Cowboys,” Slinkman writes of the Packers’ offensive line. “Only allowing one, but the pressure was even worse with 19 allowed, according to PFF. They also had six penalties, including two false starts on the 1-yard line. While both drives ended in touchdowns, red-zone penalties can be drive killers.
“Love was eighth in average time to throw and second in average depth of target after Week 2, but he dropped to 20th in average time to throw and 23rd in average depth of target because of the pressure.”
Health is going to play a significant role in the Packers getting their starting five offensive linemen back on the field, but Tom and Banks being as effective as expected will be pivotal.
As Pro Football Focus points out, the Packers have allowed five sacks, six tackles for loss, and Love has been pressured 14 times through the first four games of the season.
Green Bay is going to need to be better up front, if the offense is going to become the driving force many envisioned with Love taking a step and his young receivers quickly developing into dangerous playmakers.
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