Green Bay Packers guard Bryan Bulaga (right) kept NFL sack leader Khalil Mack to one sack in the victory over the Raiders. Credit: Rick Wood

By of the

Oakland, Calif. – Thirty years from now, when Bryan Bulaga leans back in a recliner and recalls moments from his career with the Green Bay Packers, he'll smile about that cold, rainy afternoon in the "Black Hole" and his battle with young Mr. Khalil Mack.

Last week, Denver coach Gary Kubiak took a ton of heat for why he didn't provide more double-team help for right tackle Michael Schofield in an upset loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Mack ran roughshod over the Broncos for five sacks, and four were at Schofield's expense.

Bryan Bulaga isn't Schofield.

"I don't think we drew up any protections this week giving Bryan help," said T.J. Lang, the Packers' right guard.

Mack got Bulaga once, increasing what had been his NFL-leading sack total of 14 to 15. Other than that, he was kept under wraps.

"I'm happy, yeah, because we won the game and I was able to minimize the damage," Bulaga said after the Packers' 30-20 decision at O.co Coliseum. "I've watched a lot of hours of him on tape and watched him do a lot of damage to a lot of teams."

In some respects, this hasn't been a kind season for Bulaga. He had to miss Games 2-4 with a sprained knee ("It feels great") and Game 12 with an ankle injury ("It's a nagging one").

"I'd be lying if I said I was totally healthy," he said. "Nobody in this locker room is. But I'm doing my best to get my ankle ready every week. I go out there and try to do what I can for the team to win."

The Packers, said Lang, "are a better team with him on the field."

That was abundantly clear in Bulaga's matchup with Mack, the hottest pass rusher in the league.

Things didn't start well. On the Packers' sixth play, Mack drove hard up the field. Bulaga was in reasonable position, but when Aaron Rodgers ran up to his right Mack regained balance and registered the 5-yard sack.

"I thought he was on the ground and he spun out of that thing," Bulaga said. "I've never seen anything like that. Just kind of shows you the type of athlete he is."

Mack might have had another pressure or two, but neither Bulaga nor Lang could pinpoint it.

"Watching the film last week … little bit frightening," said Lang. "That sack, it was one of the most athletic moves ever seen.

"It's hard to put that on Bryan. He runs him high and wide, they both fall down and Aaron kind of scrambled and he gets hit from behind. It's tough on Bryan.

"I think he definitely came out with the win in that matchup."

Bulaga wasn't claiming anything.

"I'm sure I had something (else)," he said when asked about another hurry at his expense. "With a player like that and how hot he's been playing, you just do your best to try keep a body on him. Just keep him off the quarterback."

Bulaga won't turn 27 until March, and with four years remaining on his contract hopes to have a long and glorious career as a Packer.

Still, he had to admit his first and probably last trip to the 50-year-old Coliseum is one he might never forget.

"I think so," he said. "This might be one of the last games they play in this stadium. There is significance to it. It was a cool environment to play in.

"They're a good football team, too. It's a stout front seven. They came to play."

On the left side, tackle David Bakhtiari also contributed to keeping Mack at bay when the defensive end switched sides.

"From the late third (quarter) on he came over," said Bakhtiari. "I don't think he came over until the second half. He didn't beat me."

Bakhtiari prepared for Mack in addition to defensive end Mario Edwards, who left with a neck injury early.

"Mack's a hell of a player," he said. "He's big, very athletic and strong. He's quick enough to kind of juke you and strong enough to go right down the middle of you. Bryan did a great job."

This is Lang's third season playing next to Bulaga, someone he admires for his ability and his fortitude.

"His injury is well-documented," said Lang. "Everybody knows the type of guy he is. To come back from (injuries) and play with those (injuries), he just goes out there and gives it his best.

"He takes a lot of pride in being available and getting the job done. He doesn't talk about the injuries. He's one of the true grinders we've got on this team."