Star Free Agent Running Back Breaks Out in Week Eight
One of Green Bay's prized free agent acquisitions this offseason had himself a day this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fans might know him as the former all-pro for the Raiders and then signed a four-year, 48-million-dollar contract with the Green Bay Packers in the offseason. Many were excited to have a backfield with Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs, which would have been a deadly one-two punch until the Packers decided not to pay Jones. Fans and teams alike wondered if Jacobs could return to his all-pro form from two years ago and help the Packers bolster their offense.
Jacobs has been a solid running back all season for the Packers and has made quite a difference for the offense. With running back MarShawn Lloyd and AJ Dillon injured, he has had to be a workhorse in the backfield and provide a spark in the running game. Emanuel Wilson has had his moments, but LaFleur and the Packers see how much of a difference having Jacobs on the field is. The 2022 rushing leader is a strong, powerful running back who runs without fear and is not afraid to hit hard. He blocks well, provides another pass option to Jordan Love, and there is always the threat he can run for a significant gain at any time. Behind the Raider's diminished offensive line, Jacobs’ production suffered due to other factors like unreliable quarterback play and head coaching changes during the season. Green Bay provides Jacobs a lot more stability with franchise quarterback Jordan Love, an offensive-minded head coach, and a reliable offensive coordinator who can utilize Jacobs well.
In a close matchup nobody expected, the running game proved to be the main difference between a win and a loss for the Packers. Jacobs proved he is more than worthy of the contract the Packers awarded him in the offseason by playing lights out against the Jaguars. Jacobs finished the day with an excellent stat line of 127 yards on 25 carries, two running touchdowns, and some solid catches to pick up yards. His first touchdown came in the second quarter on the Jaguars ' three-yard line, and his second touchdown was a thirty-yard breakaway to give the Packers a ten-point lead. His performance was exceptional not only because of the production but also because Love went down with an injury in the second half, and he helped backup quarterback Malik Willis. Jacobs knew he needed to step up because Willis could not provide the same spark as Love, and the Packers put their trust in Jacobs to help put the game away, and he did with his leadership and performance. Other teams should watch out because if Jacobs can get hot with Willis under center, the sky's the limit when Love plays the whole game and can get Jacobs involved in the passing game, too. Josh already has one receiving touchdown and a couple of rushing touchdowns, and he is fourth in rushing yards. If Jordan Love does not play in week nine, he will be heavily relied on by the Packers to help attack the Lions' ineffective defensive line and help propel the Packers to a win.
