The Packers’ offense is still fighting its way out of the mud, but last week offered a small sign that the ground game might finally be inching in the right direction.
For much of the season, the conversation around Green Bay has centered on the offensive line, and for good reason. The pass protection issues have been obvious, and Jordan Love has taken more than 30 hits this year.
Even so, he’s still managed to throw 8 touchdowns, which is tied for third in the league. But the line problems go deeper than pass protection.
The run blocking has also been short of the mark, and that has left the offense stuck in a bad loop: defenses keep bringing pressure because they don’t fear the run, and the run game keeps struggling because the blocking isn’t holding up.
There were at least signs of life last week after Laken Tomlinson and Travis Glover entered the lineup. The improvement showed up quickly.
What had looked like a unit that was league worst by a country mile suddenly looked more like one that belonged in the “among the worst in the league” tier. That’s not exactly a celebration, but it did help the run game enough to produce one explosive play: a 31-yard Kaleb Johnson run.
Now the Packers may get another boost. Kevin Zeitler is expected to take over at guard, and that gives Green Bay a lineman who can actually be described as a bonafide decent lineman!
If that stabilizes things, it could help the Packers lean into a simpler approach with bigger bodies moving forward, which would fit Kaleb Johnson better. Marshawn Lloyd can also add something as a pass-catching option out of the backfield, and that at least gives defenses one more thing to think about.
If that happens, the ripple effect could reach the passing game too. With even a little more balance, there’s more room for Christian Watson and Matthew Golden to work with, and both can make a defense pay when they get a sliver of separation.
None of that means the Packers are suddenly ready to walk into Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears and come out looking like a finished product. The more realistic target is smaller: getting the offensive line to a point where it is at least slightly below league average.
That alone would make the offense more functional on the ground and through the air. More sustained drives and more points would also help a defense that has been hurt by the worst offensive time of possession in football this season.
It all starts up front, though. Last week was a baby step. The question now is whether the Packers can take another toddle against Chicago.
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