Don’t look now, but the Green Bay Packers are running the ball better than they have in two decades. Green Bay’s rushing offense has been virtually unstoppable through the first six weeks of the 2024 season, currently sitting at No. 2 overall, averaging 167.2 yards per game.
The Packers’ run game hasn’t been this dominant since they finished third in 2003 when Ahman Green set a new franchise record for rushing yards in a season with 1,883. Since then, they have ranked inside the top 10 only twice.
This season, Green Bay’s ground game has been in good hands with free-agent addition Josh Jacobs. The 2022 rushing leader has done an adequate job filling the shoes of Aaron Jones, currently sitting at fifth overall with 463 rushing yards while averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Of course, Jacobs can’t take all the credit. Emanuel Wilson has been the ideal complement in the RB2 spot, adding 210 yards on 42 carries (5.0 avg). For the most part, Wilson has kept the rushing offense firing on all cylinders when Jacobs is off the field.
But any productive back will tell you that he relies on his blocking. Overall, the Packers’ offensive line has done a decent job of opening holes and generating movement up front at times, but it can definitely improve. According to Pro Football Focus, right tackle Zach Tom’s run-blocking grade is ranked 11th out of 173 offensive linemen with at least 50 run-blocking snaps this season. None of Green Bay’s other starters are even in the top 120.
https://twitter.com/packers/status/1846661354330943985
While there is certainly room for improvement, the fact that the rushing offense has been this effective despite not getting a complete effort from the offensive line speaks to the contributions of everyone on offense.
“I think our backs are doing a great job. It’s been a total effort, the offensive line definitely can’t just take credit on that,” said Myers. “The receivers have done an unbelievable job blocking, tight ends, the backs are running extremely hard. The passing game is going real well, so it’s just been a total team effort.”
Blocking is a prerequisite for any receiver who hopes to catch passes for the Packers. So far, they have held up their end.
Having one of the best play callers in the NFL also helps. Matt LaFleur runs an elaborate scheme that uses motion and misdirection to get ball carriers advantageous looks and into space. He is also not afraid to hand the ball off to some of his shiftier receivers. Bo Melton has carried the ball four times this season for 35 yards, while playmaker Jayden Reed has totaled 110 yards and nine attempts and leads the entire NFL with 12.2 yards per carry.
When you have that many options, defenses are never going to know who might run the ball next.
“I think that’s another element that we can add to our offense that keeps defenses on their toes,” Myers said. “It’s something else that they have to gameplan for and be ready for, so yeah, all that stuff is just super helpful.”
Can Green Bay keep it up? That is the big question. Their schedule is about to pick up in difficulty, starting with the Houston Texans on Sunday and then in two weeks against the Detroit Lions, who boast the 3rd-ranked run defense. If they run the ball effectively over the next few weeks, their rushing offense may be as good as the numbers suggest.