Green Bay Packers offense 2014 year in review and grades
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) waves to the crowd after the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers will watch from home this Sunday as the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. The wound is still fresh for the Green Bay Packers, and it could be another month before fans can truly turn their eyes to the coming free agency period and NFL Draft. Before putting this season behind us, which the Packers will be glad to do, let’s take a look back at the year that was, beginning on offense.
Aaron Rodgers had another brilliant season at quarterback, and should be one of the final two players considered for the NFL MVP along with Texan’s DE J.J. Watt. While his weapons across the board were somewhat top-heavy through the season, the unit became the league’s highest-scoring offense with 486 points in 2014 (30.4 points per game).
With 6,178, the Green Bay Packers ranked 6th in the NFL’s total net yardage rankings, and a great deal of the credit can be given to a vastly improved offensive line. Rookie 5th-round pick Corey Linsley was a surprise star on the inside at centre, and the unit grew leaps and bounds in both pass protection and run blocking. This paved the way for Eddie Lacy‘s second-straight 1,100 yard season.
Unfortunately for the Packers, the offense that carried them through the season ran out of steam in the NFC Championship game. Green Bay was gifted with better field position than they ever could have asked for, but continuously came up short as Aaron Rodgers appeared somewhat mortal, something he’s done before in the playoffs. The team was instead forced to lean on their defense, which could only hold down the fort for 55 minutes.
Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga are impending free agents this offseason, but expect Packers’ GM Ted Thompson to take all the necessary steps to re-sign the two cornerstones. Here is a look back on the season that was for an offensive unit that could return the same starting eleven in 2015.
Next: Rodgers elite again. Most of the time