Why the Green Bay Packers Are Going Nowhere with a Horrendous Offensive Line

The Green Bay Packers had all of one loss in 2011. They've already tripled that total five games into this season, putting them squarely on the playoff hot seat.

While much of their problems last season came from defending the pass, this year it's been their supposedly high-octane offense that hasn't found its rhythm.

The Packers drafted six defensive players and also signed Cedric Benson to add a new dimension to their offense. 

As a result, there were many defensive spots up for grabs, and the starting running back gig got some press later in the offseason.

However, one starting unit was supposed to be rock solid and completely set was the offensive line.

Five games into the season, and the group that looked so good on paper has been one of the team's biggest problems.

On the season, Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 21 times in five games. The only time Rodgers was kept upright for an entire game was against the Saints' awful defense. That just makes the other games look a lot worse.

To be fair, not all of those sacks fall on the offensive line.

At times, Rodgers has held onto the ball too long, seemingly not wanting to throw the ball away when he needs too. With that said, most of the fault is still on the line.

On a team that prides itself in throwing the ball, there needs to be adequate time to get the ball out.

The offensive line also hasn't done a great job run-blocking. Throw out Randall Cobb's two carries for 48 yards and Alex Green's one big 41-yard run and the Packers are averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

Just as telling is Cedric Benson's 3.5 yards per carry, an to make matters worst, Benson will be out out for at least eight weeks.

Benson had looked good prior to the injury, but often had too little room to run and would have to make a defender miss behind the line of scrimmage in order to gain some yards. 

Although they're each individually talented, the offensive line needs to elevate their play as a whole in order to salvage the Packers' season.