The Packers have been falling short of the Super Bowl the past two years. Their Super Bowl window is still very much open. However, they certainly have to start taking advantage of it. The Packers lacking star power at the wide receiver position is their reason of falling short according to the media experts. Improvements to the wide receiver position would definitely help them. Yet, the missing piece to get them over the hump is currently on the roster. That missing piece is all-pro left tackle David Bakhtiari who has missed a lot of action due to a torn ACL. Here is why a healthy David Bakhtiari is what can help the Packers get over the hump.
A Healthy David Bakhtiari In 2020 Helped the Packers Have the Number One Offense
How important is David Bakhtiari is to the Packers offense? He was healthy for most of the 2020 season and the Packers had the number one scoring offense with him in the lineup. Bakhtiari helped anchor a Packers offensive line that was second best in the NFL behind the Cleveland Browns. As a group they indeed did very well protecting Aaron Rodgers and opening up holes in the run game. The Packers offense was well balanced and were keeping defenses on their heels. Hopefully with David coming back at full strength the offense will certainly be back to where it was in 2020.
Packers Offense Took a Step Back With David Bakhtiari Out Almost All Of 2021
The Packers in 2021 David Bakhtiari only played one game as he was recovering from his torn ACL. With him not being in the lineup the Packers offense took a step back. Not having him on the offensive line really affected the offense. Matt Lafleur had to change his play calling due to having makeshift offensive lines and the run game was struggling without him. The offense overall was good considering the circumstances and the offensive line did perform well. However, it was not same without David and having him makes the offense better and more effective. The offense in 2022 will be hopefully different with him being back in the starting lineup.
Packers Most Likely Beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers If David Bakhtiari Plays
David Bakhtiari tore his ACL right before the 2020 playoffs began which was a devastating loss for the Packers. They got passed the LA Rams without him in 2020 divisional round of the playoffs. However in the NFC Championship his presence was missed. The Packers offensive line struggled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass rush. Former Packers Billy Turner is a solid player but him playing left tackle was a disadvantage for the Packers as the Buccaneers pass rushed overwhelmed him and the offensive line as a whole. Aaron Rodgers was under pressure for the whole game and the offense couldn’t really get going. David Bakhtiari playing in that game probably increases the Packers chance of winning and going to the Super Bowl.
Again In The Playoffs The Packers Missed David Bahktiari As the San Francisco 49ers Pass Rush Dominated
Packers made a shocking exit in the 2021 divisional round as they lost to the San Francisco 49ers. A big part of their loss was yes Aaron Rodgers did not have his best game, but he was not the only issue. Once again in the playoffs the Packers did not have David Bakhtiari and he was missed, The 49ers were getting constant pressure on Aaron Rodgers as the offense outside of the first drive struggled to get going. Packers with a makeshift offensive line without David did not hold up. The loss to the 49ers and Buccaneers showed how important David is needed in order for the Packers to get over the hum and reach the Super Bowl once again.
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