The Green Bay Packers' season looked pretty doomed three games in. One reason the team struggled to a 1-2 record was its lackluster effort on the offensive line.
It certainly didn't help that they had numerous injuries, with offensive tackle Zach Bako-Bewele done for the season due to a torn patellar tendon and Aaron Banks out with knee and toe injuries.
This week, the Packers made some notable additions. First up, they added guard Laken Tomlinson from the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad. Then, they signed former New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles swing lineman Mekhi Becton. Finally, they brought in former Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler. So, on paper, it was a better group of offensive linemen than what they were rolling out in Week 3.
The Packers defeated the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. Zeitler and Becton were both inactive, but Tomlinson started at left guard. Matt LaFleur also started Travis Glover at right guard. With the new-look lineup head coach Matt LaFleur deployed, it worked out perfectly for the Packers, as they picked up a 17-14 win to improve to 2-2 on the season.
Packers' offensive line actually protected Jordan Love in Week 4 win over Buccaneers
The win was far from perfect for the Packers, but they managed to defeat a beatable opponent in the Buccaneers, who are without star quarterback Baker Mayfield due to a broken thumb. Love completed 22 of 30 pass attempts for 197 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception.
Perhaps the best statistic Packers fans could have hoped for was that Love didn't take a single sack.
There were several positives. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic points out that the Packers' offensive line allowed only two quarterback hits. Through the first three weeks of the season, Love had already been hit 31 times, which was eight more than any other quarterback.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jordan Morgan and Sean Rhyan allowed a pressure each, but no other Packers lineman did.
This was a promising development. Sure, it helped that Buccaneers rookie pass rusher Reuben Bain Jr. wasn't active for the game, so that was one less force to deal with on the defense.
Besides protecting Love, Tomlinson did his part in opening up running lanes for Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks, who combined for 72 yards on 12 carries. Additionally, LaFleur went with Travis Glover at right guard, and he held his own for most of the game. So there were promising signs for the Packers.
Packers' offensive line should only get better with Kevin Zeitler
The Packers decided to have Zeitler and Becton sit out this game, considering they just signed after sitting for most of the league year and missing training camp. But once those two get a better idea of the offense, things should only improve for the Packers.
Zeitler may be on the older side and has bounced around the league quite a bit throughout his career, but he is one of the underrated solid guards in the league. The fact that the Packers were able to sign him three weeks into the season is true luck for them.
Becton is a bit of a gamble, considering he didn't thrive outside of the Philadelphia Eagles, where he won a Super Bowl title two years ago. He didn't pan out as a draft pick for the Jets, and he flamed out with the Los Angeles Chargers last season.
He will likely remain a backup at guard and tackle.
Next week, the Packers play the Chicago Bears, who have been annoyingly good. But they do have some favorable matchups, facing the defenses of the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers afterward.
Sunday was a much-needed step in the right direction. We'll see if LaFleur can build off of it.
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