‘I just try to play my part:’ How Josh Jacobs has been a difference-maker with Packers
GREEN BAY — A few weeks ago, a prominent analytics-based national NFL columnists opined that, based on the numbers, the Green Bay Packers should be disappointed in what they've gotten out of running back Josh Jacobs.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
"He's everything I thought we were getting. He's a very big piece of our offense — for sure," offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said of Jacobs before the Packers' bye week last week.
"He's a physical kind of runner. He's very instinctive, (has) really good vision. He does a good job breaking tackles. And I think that run style, as a game goes on, wears on defenses."
Entering Sunday's back-from-the-bye matchup on the road against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, Jacobs ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (762), seventh in carries (158), eighth in yards per attempt among backs with at least 100 carries (4.8) and ninth in first downs (34).
More importantly, he's second in the league in rushing yards after contact (423). Only Baltimore's Derrick Henry — the NFL leader in yards, attempts, per-carry average and first downs — has more yards after contact (514) than Jacobs.
"I think Josh is a guy that's going to fit in anybody's offense," head coach Matt LaFleur replied when asked if Jacobs has been what he expected after the team signed him to a four-year, $48 million free-agent deal and moved on from beloved veteran running back Aaron Jones.
"Just how he goes about his process, he's a pro's pro. You see it every day. He's the same guy every day in his approach, how he approaches practice, how locked in he is, what kind of teammate he is. He's got great work habits, whether it's on the practice field, in the weight room, in the training room, wherever. He's about his business.
"Then, you watch his play style, and I think we all can agree that the way he plays, he plays the game the right way. So, I can't say enough great things about him."
But Jacobs has been more than just productive. A captain with the Las Vegas Raiders, he's come into a new locker room and earned his new teammates' respect while taking younger players under his wing — from rookie running back Marshawn Lloyd, who has played in only one game this season because of injuries but rides to practice every day with Jacobs at Jacobs' behest; to rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who soaks up every tidbit of advice he can get from the veteran running back as Jacobs' locker-room next door neighbor.
"I feel like it's been a good fit," Jacobs said after the players returned from their week off on Monday. "Because there's a lot of people (here) that think similarly to the way I think or feel the same about things that I feel, especially when it comes to this sport and what it takes to play this game at a high level. I think that's the best explanation I can give about why the fit has been pretty good."
Having nursed an ankle injury the past several weeks, Jacobs said the time off was beneficial to his health. "It came at the perfect time," he said but insisted that he wasn't worn down before the bye.
Not only has he touched the ball 177 times so far this season, but he's played 385 of the Packers' 601 offensive snaps (64.1%), broken 13 tackles and gained more yards after contact (423) than before it (339).
"I've been pretty good all year," Jacobs said of his health — while knocking on his cherry wood locker for good luck. "This is probably the best my body has felt in the season, so I cannot complain at all.
"But the bye week is definitely good for your legs. Your legs start to get a little heavy toward the midway part of the season, and it allows you to get that second wind, that second spark. So it's been good for me."
That's good for the Packers, too. While they have had their issues and shortcomings (dropped passes, too many penalties, quarterback Jordan Love's spike in interceptions), Jacobs has been a consistent, reliable player and a beacon of stability throughout.
In fact, the only team to take Jacobs out of games is the Packers. Falling behind 28-0 to Minnesota in Week 4 and 24-3 to the Detroit Lions in Week 9 meant a pass-heavy second-half approach reduced Jacobs' opportunities — even though he averaged a combined 6.6 yards per carry in those two games (146 yards on just 22 attempts).
"We've been pretty good as a unit, and it's crazy because we could be so much better," Jacobs said. "I think that's the fun part about the back end of the season, is trying to chase the perfection, trying to chase being great."
As for his personal hopes for the second half of the season, Jacobs smiled.
"I hold myself to certain standards, to a certain level of accountability, and I wouldn't be able to come in here and look these guys in the eye if I feel like I didn't get everything that I had," he said. "And I feel like I couldn't ask that out of them if I wasn't showing it or giving it.
"Every time I step on that field, I know my brother is straining for me, so I just try to play my part."
