Packers: Some encouraging signs from offensive line in Week 1

There were some positives to take away from the Packers’ offensive line in Week 1.

Last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints was as bad as it gets. For a Green Bay Packers offense that outscored every other team in 2020, posting just three points was unexpected.

A new-look offensive line featuring two rookies had some bad moments, including Royce Newman allowing instant pressure that led to Aaron Rodgers’ first interception.

Rodgers didn’t have many issues like that along the offensive line in 2020, but with two rookies starting and David Bakhtiari out, it was to be expected.

Despite that, there were some positives to take away from the performance up front.

According to ESPN, Green Bay currently has a pass block win rate of 67 percent, which is tied for fourth-best in the league after Week 1. The team ranks 20th in run block win rate, but two linemen played well in that area.

Left tackle Elgton Jenkins has a run block win rate of 86 percent, tied for eighth among tackles. Guard Lucas Patrick is tied for sixth at his position with a run block win rate of 79 percent.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins and rookie center Josh Myers only allowed one pressure each.

Both players were impressive. Jenkins spent most of last season at guard, where he was voted to the Pro Bowl, but shifted over to left tackle for the start of 2021. Myers was playing his first NFL game.

Were there concerns for the offensive line in Week 1? Absolutely. Will this group be the best in the league like in 2020? Probably not.

However, there were also plenty of positives to take away.

Improvements need to be made, especially with games against the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers coming up, but as it turned out, the Packers’ offensive line did some good things in the season opener.