Green Bay Packers haven’t had the league’s best pass protection
The Green Bay Packers are returning from a disappointing London trip in Week 5, trying to figure out their season. The Packers collapsed against the Giants, as the team blew a two-score lead in the second half. Many fans are frustrated with the direction the team is going in. The Packers’ defense was supposed to be one of the best in the league but is struggling in the early season. The offense is becoming inefficient and is pass-heavy.
Many of the offense’s woes are due to having poor depth at wide receiver. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not completely settled in with this year’s group. But many of the woes can be explained by the offensive line. Rodgers has faced a lot of pressure this season. Injuries to the unit haven’t helped the Packers’ pass protection. But with the return of David Bakhtiari, there is hope the line will improve soon.
One Packers OL has been great at keeping the pocket clean
The Packers have found help on the offensive line from a surprising spot. Offensive lineman Jon Runyan Jr. has been exceptional in pass protection this season. According to Zach Jacobson with CBS Sports, Runyan hasn’t allowed a single pressure to come from him.
There’s a number of different reasons why the Packers’ offense is sputtering the way it is, but Jon Runyan Jr. isn’t one of them. Through five games, he’s played 167 snaps in pass protection, according to @PFF.
Not a single pressure allowed.
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) October 10, 2022
According to PFF, Runyan has the most blocks without giving up a pressure this season. This season, the third-year Michigan product has been the best Packers lineman at pass protection. It’s impressive to see just how far the 6th-round pick has grown in the offense. The Packers have allowed 43 pressures this season. Royce Newman has led the team with the most pressures (12) given up through five games.
Runyan must continue that success against the New York Jets in Week 6. The Jets boast the league’s fourth-best pass rush. The Packers desperately need a win over the Jets to stay a couple of games above .500, as their divisional competition, the Minnesota Vikings, are currently sitting at 4-1.
