Despite an unfortunate offensive performance overall, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had no problems with the way his reconfigured offensive line played Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. In fact, he was very pleased with the performance of the five starters to open the season.
“I think the offensive line played really well,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday. “I think Elgton (Jenkins) played very well on the left goal and Billy (Turner) on the right. The boys inside, the two rookies played really well. And Lucas Patrick. The protection was solid. I gave away a sack, and that was all, in a porter. I think the protection was pretty good. “
The Packers ’offensive line allowed just one sack and three quarterback hits on more than 41 passing blocking opportunities. In Pro Football Focus, the Packers were the second-highest offensive blocking line in the NFL in Week 1.
Rodgers said he “didn’t make many shots” and took responsibility for the sack. Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport was intentionally unlocked on a designed throw, but Rodgers had to hold the ball and grab the sack when the play didn’t unfold on the field and Davenport closed the space in a hurry.
The Packers ’offensive line is directly in the spotlight to start the season after losing the All-Pro center in free agency and not having left All-Pro left David Bakhtiari (PUP list) during the first six matches. Jenkins started his first outing on the left instead of Bakhtiari and it was excellent. Rookies Josh Myers and Royce Newman started inside and went through ups and downs typical of first-year players.
Still, Rodgers ’protection could have been much worse in Week 1, especially considering the flow of play and how many times the Packers tried to pass football while staying big on the scoreboard.
The pressure caused, however, the interception that changed the game in the second half. Rookie Royce Newman was overtaken by Cameron Jordan, who forced Rodgers to step into his pocket and hurry to throw Davante Adams the shallow cross from right to left. A painful shoot to a sensitive body part played a role in the bad shot, by Rodgers.
Overall, Rodgers was under pressure in 10 of his backs against the Saints. He completed just two passes and had an interception while under pressure. Unfortunately for the Packers, Rodgers wasn’t good for clean pockets either.