“You can tell he’s hungry” That came from Adam Stenavich, Green Bay’s offensive coordinator about Josh Jacobs earlier this summer.
There were flashes last week in Brazil, but a terrible field and unfavorable game script held him back. Not this week though. This week Josh Jacobs got to eat.
151 yards on 32 carries is exactly why Green Bay went out and got Jacobs this offseason, even as it cost them fan favorite Aaron Jones. With Jordan Love out, Green Bay needed a guy that could handle that kind of work load. No back in Green Bay last year went over 22 carries in a game. Volume however means nothing if you aren’t getting value out it. One of the biggest concerns about the Jacobs signing was his performance with Las Vegas last season. Some, myself included, placed much of the blame for that on the situation. Others pointed out that even when plays were favorable, Jacobs wasn’t getting every yard he should be. This year?
Matt LaFleur called what was maybe the best game of his Packers tenure on Sunday. Malik Willis prior to the game had a passer rating of 39 in 3 career starts. How bad is that?
Against the Colts, Willis posted a 126.8 rating, trailing only two QB’s across the league for Week 2. It cannot be overstated how impressive of a game plan Green Bay had in place. Josh Jacobs is the reason it worked though. He trails only the resurgent J.K Dobbins and the 49ers Jordan Mason in rushing yards. He had put up more yards in the first half of a game than any Packers player since Ahman Green back in 2001.
The Packers offense is at it’s best when it has a running game working behind it. You could see it when Aaron Jones was on the field last year. Green Bay knows this, and its why they made the tough decision to move on to the younger Jacobs. They need a guy they can hand the ball to 32 times, and know that he can be back next week and do the same if needed.
If Love isn’t ready next week, Green Bay will need to rely on Jacobs once again to support Malik Willis. If they get the guy they had last week, a win on the road in Tennessee seems within reach.
Difference Makers Against Tennessee
With week 2 in the books and the Packers back to winning, who needs to step up this week to keep things going?
We just spent enough time on Josh Jacobs, so lets look at a few candidates who might make the difference this week.
For the first two weeks Green Bay has faced a difficult challenge on defense. Containing extremely mobile quarterbacks. Because of this, I suspect that Jeff Hafley has had his defensive line prioritize containment at the expense of sack production. A big part of the Packers chances to win this week may rely on switching that up.
Will Levis, the Titans starting QB, has been sacked 7 times over the first two games of the season. Green Bay’s defensive line is supposed to be the strength of this unit, and now is the time to show it. In particular, it’s time for Devonte Wyatt.
One other spot to keep a close eye on is ILB. Quay Walker was not good last week. Isaiah McDuffie was not good last week. Neither player has been good for either game this season. With McDuffie at least, you can point to the idea that as a 6th round pick, anything you get out of him is found money. With Walker, the expectation are, and should be much higher. Unfortunately too often this is what Green Bay has gotten.
Tennessee is a good test for the roster that Brian Gutekunst has put together. It’s the type of game that Green Bay should win. If Jordan Love is back then I would have the Packers as an easy favorite. With his status uncertain however I anticipate a much closer game. That being said I think Green Bay wins another low scoring affair ahead of a suddenly very important game against the surging Vikings.
