The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line is starting to gel at the right time The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line is starting to gel at the right time, and it could propel them to the NFC Championship Game.
The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL world on Sunday.
The Packers defeated the second-seeded Dallas Cowboys 48-32 in the playoffs.
Many players/units stood out and could easily have been named MVP of the game.
Quarterback Jordan Love continued his fast-paced play and running back Aaron Jones was great.
The Packers defense impressed in shutting down the Cowboys offense for three quarters.
However, he has one unit that stands out but doesn’t get the same attention.
This is the Green Bay Packers offensive line.
The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line is starting to stabilize at the right time.
Green Bay Packers offensive line coach Luke Butkus deserves an apology.
Sorry, Luke.
It wasn’t long ago that we wrote that Butkus appeared to be out of a job after this season.
Midway through this season, the Packers offense was struggling.
This was something Packers fans weren’t used to.
Under current (and former offensive line coach) offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, the Packers’ offensive line was the backbone of the offense.
The midseason tribulations have, deservedly or not, fallen on Butkus’ shoulders.
But Butkus deserves credit, he stayed the course.
Instead of panicking, he was there for people and tried to solve problems.
Head coach Matt LaFleur also deserves credit.
He supported offensive coaches and believed he could turn things around.
That’s exactly what Butkus did.
The Packers’ offensive line picked up steam late in the season and continued to play well against the Cowboys.
Rushing Attack Revitalized When Jones returned to the lineup, the Packers’ running game gained a lot of momentum late.
Jones struggled with injuries throughout the season, but returned when the Packers offense needed him most.
In the Packers’ last four games (three regular season games, one playoff game), Jones has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark.
Jones’ ability to save pennies and make tacklers miss was a major factor in the Packers’ overwhelming success.
But that’s not the only reason the Packers were successful with the ball.
The Packers’ offensive line, especially the inside line, did a great job giving Jones an opportunity to run through.
His inside line stands out Experienced Elgton Jenkins, who has recently attracted attention, was the top candidate to fill a hole for Jones.
Jenkins may not be the same player he was before his injury late in the 2021 season, but he is still one of the better guards in the NFL.
If the Packers need to gain yards, they will do so behind Jenkins.
Butkus chose an unconventional approach when it came to the right guard position.
Around mid-season, Butkus implemented a platoon system between John Runyan Jr.
and Sean Ryan.
Unconventional as it may have been, the platoon system worked.
Runyan Jr.
was the better pass protector of the two, which helped protect Love.
Ryan is good on offense and his ability helps in the run game.