Which New Star RB Will Make the Biggest Difference in Eagles vs. Packers?
Two-star running backs have found themselves in new situations this offseason. After leaving the Raiders in free agency, Josh Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Green Bay Packers. Saquon Barkley got a new contract from the Eagles, earning a three-year, $37.75 million contract. Both running backs left worse situations, with Jacobs needing to be more utilized by the Raiders and Saquon having to carry the Giants' historically lousy offense.
Last season, each running back had a "down year," with Jacobs only rushing for 805 yards and six touchdowns compared to his outstanding 2022 season, where he was the league's leading rusher. Saquon is in a similar situation where he also rushed for 962 yards and six touchdowns. Jacobs moves from the Raiders’ 18th overall ranked offensive line to the Packers' top 12 unit. The same goes for Saquon, who was wasted behind the Giants' 29th-ranked offensive line with picks like Evan Neal not making a difference. Each running back hopes to start fresh on their new team. Each running back moves to a better situation, and each team has title hopes for this year. However, the question is, who will help lead their team to victory in a tough Week One matchup?
Week One will be a test for each player after a long offseason. Jacobs has to prove he can return to 2022 form and that last year was a fluke. Saquon must show that he can stay healthy, maintain production, and return to the superstar form everyone knows him as. Luckily, Saquon will not have to perform in front of critical Eagles fans at home, and Jacobs will not have to shine under the Lambeau lights just yet. The Sao Paulo location allows each running back to show their skills at a neutral site. However, this is the first Friday night game in NFL history, and this is a chance for each team to prove they can beat a contender, so there is still pressure on them. Both are skilled running backs with lots of experience, proven they can shine, and have many achievements.
Jacobs is a strong, shifty back who can make plays by running and catching. He was a star in college and has had an excellent career so far. Luckily, the Raiders did not reward him with a new contract, so the Green Bay Packers got their replacement for Aaron Jones. Jacobs and Aaron Jones would have been a deadly one-two punch behind an already solid offensive line. Jacobs will now have to do most of the running while mentoring MarShawn Lloyd and Emmanuel Wilson. Jacobs does not have to be excellent; he has to be solid and contribute to Green Bay's already-stacked offense. Saquon is in a different position, as he will be running behind a top-five offensive line, a team with deep playoff experience, and a more friendly offensive scheme. Saquon has been a superstar since he stepped foot in the league, and being drafted second overall by the Giants in 2018 only helped solidify the pressure on him. He has performed well behind a team led by Daniel Jones, and the Eagles could be a match made in heaven for him. His floor is a Pro Bowl running back, and he could quickly become an All-Pro on his new team.
I predict Saquon will win this matchup between the two teams in Week One. Jacobs will perform well, too, but Barkley has the upper hand in this first meeting between the two superstar running backs. However, do not be surprised if these teams meet in the playoffs, and Jacobs gets revenge if the Packers lose in Week One. This matchup should be fun to watch, and these two stars make it even more enjoyable.
