David Bakhtiari injury puts Packers Super Bowl hopes in jeopardy
Losing All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari damages the Super Bowl dreams of the Packers.
The 2020 NFL season has been kind to the Green Bay Packers, but the recent news surrounding offensive tackle David Bakhtiari is a cruel way to end the year. A knee injury believed to be a torn ACL ended the All-Pro left tackle’s season, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, right before the final game of the regular season against the Chicago Bears.
A win for Green Bay would clinch the No. 1 overall seed while likely knocking Chicago out of the postseason as well. While Green Bay has clinched the division, the potential of having to go on the road instead of having home-field advantage would be a rough way to begin both the new year and the postseason.
The injury clearly hurts the franchise quarterback. Aaron Rodgers has often relied on Bakhtiari to help protect his blind side, and his loss only weakens the protection and hinders the offense.
While Rodgers gets the direct impact, the weapons in Green Bay and the rest of the offensive line will also feel the loss. The left tackle is considered one of the most important positions in football outside of the quarterback. A quarterback can make plays provided he has protection, and the left tackle is the chief officer in the department of protection in football.
With David Bakhtiari out, the Packers offensive line will need to step up in the playoffs.
Since being drafted out of California, David Bakhtiari has grown into one of the NFL’s better blockers while establishing an edge required in today’s game. Bakhtiari has been named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a First-Team All-Pro in 2018.
However, his greatest value has been his ability to protect the blind side of his future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback.
Next. NFL picks, score predictions for Week 17. dark
Without Bakhtiari in the season finale, Green Bay will have to contend with the Chicago defensive line, who may not be as strong as they once were, but possess talent. Additionally, the NFC is littered with strong defensive lines that are soon to make the playoffs. Without protection, the pressure is imminent.