The Green Bay Packers made a huge splash during the recent offseason. Acquiring Josh Jacobs was a surprising move for the Packers, a team that rarely ever goes after the biggest names in free agency. Jacobs was the biggest name on the running back market outside of Saquon Barkley, who signed with Philadelphia. This wasn’t their only big move either, they also signed Xavier McKinney, who was by far the best available safety on the free agent market. While there are some expectations that come along with bringing in players of this caliber, there’s also a reasonable amount of tempering expectations that should happen with players entering a new city and a new system. Jacobs and McKinney however, have already looked the part. 

Packers Run Game Comes up Big

Josh Jacobs helped lead one of the most prolific rushing attacks of recent memory through the first half of the Packers home opener against the Colts on Sunday.

Green Bay rushed for 237 yards in the first half on Sunday, a number that has only been reached two other times in the first half of a football game since 2000.

While players like Jayden Reed and Malik Willis helped reach that number, Jacobs still ended the day with 151 yards on 32 attempts. Rarely has Green Bay asked their running backs to carry the ball 30+ times in a single game, but with starting quarterback Jordan Love out of the lineup, Jacobs was ready for his number to be called.

“Man, honest, I feel like I could play another half,” Jacobs said when asked about his workload on what turned out to be the second hottest game day in Lambeau Field’s storied history. Jacobs was asked to carry the weight of the team’s game plan on Sunday, and he stood up to the challenge without flinching.

McKinney Helps Packers Offense Stay on the Field with His Second Interception of 2024

Xavier McKinney was the Packers other massive offseason acquisition, and he showed up in a very similar way. McKinney already had an interception early in the week 1 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he came up big again in the Packers’ week 2 win over the Colts. After the Packers had already begun establishing the run game on their first drive, the Colts went three and out on their first series. The next time the Colts possessed the ball, Xavier McKinney intercepted a pass thrown by Colts QB Anthony Richardson, which would lead to the Packers going on another long drive while already up 10-0. 

McKinney’s interception came at a key point in the game, and it allowed the Packers to continue a steady pace of running the ball without any real pressure to start passing in significant volumes. 

Turnover differential can be the difference between winning and losing football games, and the Packers currently lead the league in defensive interceptions with five, after only managing to bring in seven throughout the entire 2023 season. Whether the Packers success against opposing pass games is coming due to Xavier McKinney or new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, or some combination of both, it will certainly help the Packers to secure victories down the line should it continue.

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Zack is a college student and cheesehead from California. When he’s not in class or writing, you can find him talking about the Packers on Twitter at @Zack_Upchurch.

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