A coach I knew one time growled at me, "it all starts with the offensive line!" and I've held that knowledge all these years. His thinking was this: if you can't move the defense your defense has to play perfect ball to even be in the game. Your offense, built around the line, will rest your defense and score points. You can have a great defense and still be beaten 7-0. His theory was you had a winning offense even if the backs, ends and quarterback were mediocre.
It's no coincidence the Packers are having a positive year with an offensive line that is playing well together.

Good piece of work Ken. A few stats still keep the Oline from elite....3rd down conversions and redzone efficiency, and penalties missing from your article. However, I think the Oline is still ascending and haven't peaked yet. Much of the average and/or below average play was early in the season...while there were still volatility and QB due to injury. GB is trending upward....at the right time.

Life is good not to be a Chigo bear fan. Yet another wasted season down the shoreline. Yet another coach. Yet more talented QBs and WR core, talented RB and solid defense that simply can't add it up; In chicago 1+1+1+1+1= -5.

Pretty remarkable that they are getting this kind of performance from an O-line with a 4th round pick and a 7th round pick at the two most important positions. Depth still looks a little shaky, though you never know how good the backups are until they are called upon. Sometimes they play surprisingly well. It would be good to have Jordan Morgan back as the #6 OL for the stretch run.

Has there ever been a top offense with a trash offensive line? I don’t need PFF to tell me “Hell no!”
GPG!

During last week's game, I watched Zach Tom approach one of the RBs after a tough run and put his arm around him. He also stepped into the fray and calmed the angry waters between Jaire/Keisean and Diggs. He was acknowledged by the coaches for quietly patrolling.

How much is Adam Stenavich involved in the development of the OL? Yes, he was promoted to OC. But that seems to have been a way to keep him with the team, because he was/is a terrific OL coach.

Nice article, Ken. Remember, too, the Packers added James Campen as an offensive line consultant. I understood his role to be primarily in scouting, but I'll bet he's a resource throughout the organization. It would be a waste to not utilize a coach that played major role in developing Josh Sitton, David Bakhtiari, and T.J. Lang.

I watched MLF's postgame podium talk and he (surprisingly, to me) seemed to take issue when one of the reporters said the OL had a great game. He went into some length about how the OL could have been better and that Jacobs was having to make people miss before crossing the line of scrimmage. Matt certainly seemed to indicate that, as far as run blocking goes, the OL was just "okay". I found that surprising.

The right side of the OL from Myers on out has been looking real good. It's especially nice to see Rhyan develop the way he has--a lot of people, including myself, wondered what was taking so long for him to see extended action. He's started all 12 games and played 85% of the offensive snaps this season.

Don"t forget the contributions from the WRs as well; smaller guys such as Reed and Melton have made great blocks in the last two games in paving the way for Jacobs.

Zero sacks- Last game.
Remind me why we drafted Morgan @#1, again.
Because Walker has been outstanding.

I love it. I always thought our starters would be pretty good, and we've enjoyed pretty good health.

Pigskin Law #6: Nothing good happens on offense unless people get blocked. They all look good on the chalkboard, because you always get the Xs blocked. Real games don't happen like that because the Xs are actively trying to thwart you.

If these guys stay healthy, we've got a shot against anybody, IMO. If Jacobs has the ball, he has to be tackled, and people who are blocked don't make tackles.

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OK, before the offseason, before the draft stuff starts, put me down as in favor of getting quality beef on the Oline, because Myers, Tom, Walker, and Rhyan will all have to be replaced or given a second contract.

There are also strong needs for defensive backs and d-line.

I know a lot of people were disappointed with the run blocking in the Dolphins game, and Matt LaFleur was critical as well, but the team averaged 4.6 yards per carry, which is better than average. It was Josh Jacobs who struggled, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry. I think it was largely because the Dolphins focused on stopping Jacobs. He was on the field when Jayden Reed took an end-around for 23 yards. The Dolphins were expecting another Jacobs run between tackles. Maybe the defense keying on Jacobs was also a factor in their lack of pass rush. The Packers allowed no sacks, and there was usually plenty of time to throw.

Crazy !

The Packers offense will go as far as their OL takes them. To a large degree the entire goes as far as their OL takes them. The Packers OL is having a very good season. They will face difficult challenges on the road against the Lions, Seahawks and Vikings.

They need to win the Lions game to have any hope of capturing the division title. A loss probably means they won't win the division and their playoff seeding could take a hit as well.

The Packers are playing with confidence and taking the Lions game enhances their playoff chances and seeding. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

The OL is ok...most NFL analysts tend to agree with Packers' rankings in the lower half to as high as the top half with one ranking the #4. But there is no consensus. All over the board.

The same issues as last year remain...solid pass protection, below average run blocking. The good news is they have been playing decent as a unit...until Thursday night. The run game performance is due to better RB unit of JJ, Wilson, and Brooks vs last year's Jones & Dillon. Downfield blocking has also been very good this season.

Thursday was not a good game for the OL which make the timing of Ken's article surprising. They played well enough to win thanks to missed tackles on skill players and some outstanding WR/TE blocking at the second level creating chunk plays.

While they did not give a a sack (which was outstanding)...there were about 7 pressures that affected where Love had to go with the ball. 3 pressures given up by Meyers...one was a hard hit on Love. Jenks' 15 yard roughness penalty was a drive killer.

I'd grade them so far as a B-/C+...and they have some upside with the great Tom, solid Walker. Myers is still stuck in the mediocrity of the last two seasons. Rhyan has some upside. But Jenks is have a rough year and some are surely due to nagging injuries because he tends to fight through pains others deal with on the bench.

I still maintain the Packers need to draft an OL on day one or two of the draft every year. And look for those diamonds in the rough on day 3.

As I was about to post on the article about Quay Walker now being over the hump. 1 or 2 games does not a season make. The same can be said about the Oline - one or 2 games without a whole bunch of false starts or a no sack game against a team that doesnt get a whole bunch of sacks - second lowest in the League. I like our Oline - but there is room for improvement and we have a few games ahead of us to show - And I believe that our running backs are also a big reason that the Oline is looking better - Jacobs doesnt get tackled usually by the first guy and unlike Dillon - not many times are we stopped dead behind the line of scrimmage.

The Packers must maintain control of the game from Thursday night, much like mastering a level in precision and timing are key. If they stay focused and avoid distractions, they can navigate through obstacles successfully, just as players do in the game.

Cool!