Offensive line an issue for Green Bay

Three backup linemen took the field Sunday
By: 
Luke Reimer
Reporter

After a 23-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers have their sights set on Chicago, as they host the divisional rival on Sept. 18.

During the game, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson had a career day, recording 184 receiving yards and two touchdowns. While that does call for concern on the defensive side of the ball, another major problem for the Packers was on the offensive line.

The Packers were without star linemen David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins on Sunday, leading to Minnesota recording four sacks. Left guard Jon Runyan also left this game to be evaluated for a concussion.

“I think they had four sacks or whatever,” said Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, talking about the Vikings defense and Jefferson. “Didn’t stop their big-time playmakers and allowed them to make big-time plays. If you do that, you’re not going to win very many games in this league.”

LaFleur also touched on former Green Bay Linebacker Za’Darius Smith, who now plays for Minnesota, impact on the game, as he was in the Packers’ backfield all day.

“He had a critical sack fumble. He had another sack on a third down,” said LaFleur. “You know, we knew Z was going to be amped up and ready to go, and he is a great player. Give them credit, they had a great scheme.

“They weren’t going to try to give up big plays. They definitely kept a lid on top of us for the most part, and when you do that and you’re trying to throw some big-time plays, that allows sometimes the pass rushers to hit home.”

Talking about the offensive line, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that whoever is on the field should be prepared to play.

“These guys are NFL players,” said Rodgers. “There’s expectation whoever is in there that they’re going to play well.”

Green Bay Packers center Jake Hanson echoed words of his previous teammates saying that the offensive line did not come prepared to play.

“We knew what they were going to throw at us,” said Hanson. “There were looks that we have seen from our defense in the past. We just did not go out and execute the way we should have.”

With Chicago coming to Green Bay, the Packers will once again have their hands full with Robert Quinn, who was second in sacks in the NFL last season with 18½ sacks. In order to stop Quinn and company, Hanson said that consistency throughout the game is the key to getting into a groove.

“There were a lot of good things, but so many bad things that outweighed some of those positives,” said Hanson. “That is the biggest thing in this game is the consistency. We have to be able to stack drives and be able to do it over and over again. We cannot let big plays or the defense get in the way of the production of our offense.”

During training camp, the Packers experimented with different combinations of players, including Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker. That has been due in part to Jenkins and Bakhtiari being sidelined with their injuries.

With both players’ statuses to return up in the air, running backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon and tight ends Robert Tonyan, Mercedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis may have to play a bigger role in the blocking game.

“Dave and Elgton are doing everything they can do and are day-to-day, but certainly it does put a little bit of strain, but that is not an excuse,” said LaFleur on the effect of not having the linemen. “We’ve got to adapt. We’ve got to adjust. We obviously didn’t do that, and we’ve got to be better.”

Tonyan is one of the players who missed part of training camp to suit up in the first game. Playing on the offensive line, Tonyan said that as the pressure grew, the game became tougher to play.

“It is tough playing from behind in those circumstances, but I think putting this behind us and focusing on next week is going to be key,” said Tonyan.

Beyond the Bears, Green Bay faces Tampa Bay and New England, who should once again feature strong pass rushing. Chicago should be a big test for every offensive lineman, as the first game in Lambeau Field in the 2022 season should have the fans excited.

While it is early in the season, dropping a divisional game puts Green Bay back in a tiebreaker scenario. For Green Bay to avoid another divisional loss, strong offensive line play will be needed while Bakhtiari and Jenkins continue to rehab their injuries.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com