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Exploding Beyond .500: Why Green Bay Packers beat Seattle Seahawks

By Kenn Korb

Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) spikes the football with wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) spikes the football with wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) celebrates his touchdown catch with guard T.J. Lang (70) in the first quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) celebrates his touchdown catch with guard T.J. Lang (70) in the first quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

High-end protection

It can and should be said every week: this Green Bay line is the best pass blocking unit in the NFL. In Green Bay’s biggest game of the year, they were on full display for what might be their best showing yet.

Seattle came in as a top-10 unit in terms of forcing pressure; to go with that, they were also returning their best and most important lineman in Michael Bennett. Bennett (18th), Frank Clark (28th) and Cliff Avril (41st) all rate out well among edge rushers in terms of Pro Football Focus’ grading system; when Bennett slides in as a defensive tackle, the unit is enormously difficult to block. That would be a tall enough task on its own, but add in the injuries Rodgers had picked up in previous weeks (hamstring) and early in this game (calf), and the line’s burden was at its highest point.

It didn’t matter one bit.

The Green Bay offensive line only allowed a grand total of six hurries and a sack to this vaunted front, giving their quarterback time and space to make his plays with zero fear of being hit.

Praise should go to each and every one of them. David Bakhtiari continues to prove himself well worth the contract upgrade and has firmly entrenched himself among the top left tackles in the league. Bryan Bulaga acts as a great bookend, sealing off the right side with aplomb. T.J. Lang returned from a recent injury, giving the line back their best overall player.

Lane Taylor isn’t as good as the guy he replaced, but he’s been able to do pretty well as this year’s left guard. J.C. Tretter started the year playing well at center; since his injury a few weeks back, Corey Linsley has been at least as good while retaking that role after his own injury held him out at the start of the year.

Next: Four takeaways from Packers' blowout win vs. Seahawks

Much praise is thrown to the offensive lines in Dallas and Oakland; the way these guys pass block for Rodgers, more people should be talking about the Green Bay line. I’ll settle for more continued dominance of any and all opposition by them in the meantime.

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