Cory's Corner: The Packers Need A Jacobs
The heart and soul of the Packers offense is why Green Bay will win in Philly.
If you like running backs, the Packers-Eagles game is right up your alley.
Saquon Barkley has been lighting up highlight shows with the now-infamous backwards leap over a surprised defender. In his first year in Philadelphia, he tallied 2,005 yards on the ground — good for the NFL’s rushing crown.
Josh Jacobs finished the regular season with 676 less rushing yards than Barkley, but this is the time when you need a Jacobs. He plays on offense but it appears he has a secret love of linebackers. Jacobs, in his first year as a Packer, is averaging 3.45 yards after contact.
It’s no secret that Jacobs has been the heart and soul of the Packers offense this year. He has scored 31 percent of the Packers rushing and receiving touchdowns. He has scored a touchdown in eight straight games to end the season, which is a Packers record.
I have to admit that I wasn’t a fan of the Packers not bringing back Aaron Jones. If you have a spark plug at running back, you normally hold on to him.
But Jacobs is a spark plug times 12. He can hit the home run, but he can also go between the tackles and grind out yardage.
Games like this one in Philly are why the Packers went out and got Jacobs. It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be physical and it’s going to be high stakes.
“They’ve got a really good line, to begin with,” said Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. “I think the five on their offensive line have been in there for every play, No. 1. And No. 2, they have a great back. (Josh) Jacobs has had as good a year as anybody. And he’s hard to tackle, runs physical.”
Fangio is close. Rasheed Walker has played 1,073 snaps out of a total 1,082, Elgton Jenkins has played 1,069, Zach Tom has played 1,068, Josh Meyers has played 1,006 and Sean Rhyan has played 961.
That continuity matters and it’s one of the reasons why Jacobs has done so well. That line needs to be a crew of road graders on Sunday.
And the reason is simple. We don’t know what we’re going to get with Jordan Love making his return from an injured elbow. He wasn’t exactly courageous about using his legs to scamper for first downs before, so don’t expect him to put himself into dangerous situations now.
Which is why this game comes down to Jacobs. If he runs well, it’s going to open up the play-action game and more importantly, it’s going to make third down manageable.
The Packers will have a hard time leaving Lincoln Financial Field with a win if they don’t trust their best asset. Let Jacobs grind the Eagles down and Love will need to put the finishing touches on it.
This game is theirs for the Packers. They just need a Jacobs.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
__________________________
Comments (34)
TKWorldWide
January 11, 2025 at 07:21 am
My mom was very upset when GB let Aaron Jones go. I asked her what she thought of Josh Jacobs (at the time of his signing.)
She said, “Who’s that?”
She’s not asking that anymore.
GPG!
GregC
January 11, 2025 at 07:36 am
The O-line is not going to be a crew of road graders against that strong Philly defensive front, and they don't need to be. They just need to give Jacobs a little bit of something to work with. In the first game against the Eagles, Jacobs didn't do much in the first half, then he started breaking off big runs in the second half. It was the opposite of most other games this season. They will ride him hard in the first half this time, but if the Eagles are stopping him, they will need to try something else. Could we see the return of the short passing game on Sunday?
bjkdad44
January 11, 2025 at 08:01 am
🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻
dobber
January 11, 2025 at 08:20 am
I think the Packers need to be playing on the move a little more this week--without running more jets and WR sweeps, but those are going to be in the minds of the defense. They need to be hitting the edges in the run game with the backs, and maybe use some designed roll-outs to make Philly's IDL work...yes, it cuts the field in half and limits your passing options, but it can be very effective in providing some new looks that play off the inside run game, and it gets the QB looking at the different levels in the route tree more intentionally.
Mister Chievous
January 11, 2025 at 09:58 am
the jet sweeps and reverses are over. defenses are ready and they haven't been effective in awhile
dblbogey
January 11, 2025 at 03:35 pm
When Love fakes a handoff to the jet sweep WR (Reed), it does seem to open holes for Jacobs.
GregC
January 11, 2025 at 05:12 pm
Yep, I think it's okay to run one or two jet sweeps per game and to fake it a few times as well. With Jacobs mainly being an inside runner, you don't want the defenders to be crashing to the inside on every running play.
NickPerry
January 11, 2025 at 07:51 am
"We don’t know what we’re going to get with Jordan Love making his return from an injured elbow. He wasn’t exactly courageous about using his legs to scamper for first downs before, so don’t expect him to put himself into dangerous situations now."
I'm not so sure I would say that about Love Cory, he's NOT courageous? Perhaps it's always he thinks a better option will pop up at the last second so he doesn't run and holds onto the ball. Whether he's scared or looking for a better option, he NEEDS to run.
We've all seen it. Love rolls away from pressure, the sideline is wide open for him to run and pick up some good yards but he doesn't. On Sunday if it's there, RUN JORDAN RUN! I'd also say whatever "kid gloves" LaFleur has got on you maybe take one glove off and begin to let it rip again.
The first several weeks of the season Love threw picks. Then MLF seemed to put a governor on him to throttle him down. He's thrown less interceptions but for especially the last few weeks the passing game is like BLAH. Everything looks to difficult but it isn't all on Love or LaFleur.
All of those WR's we were so excited about at the end of last season haven't taken the proverbial jump. Maybe they start on Sunday but I doubt it. I think they'll all continue to get better and better, but I don't think there's a true #1 in the bunch. Hell, I'm hoping Reed can develop into a solid #2 and Wicks and/or Doubs #3's. But they have Kraft and Musgrave. START using them more. Get Musgrave involved a LOT more. At least if the Packers want to play again after Sunday.
Go Pack Go!
dobber
January 11, 2025 at 08:28 am
The only thing I'll say about Love on the run is that we've seen a tendency, especially in short yardage, for him to try to do more than he should and end up taking hits and coughing up the football. Specifically--rather than running to the marker and getting the first down, he'll try to turn the run upfield into pursuit. If he's going to play on the run, he needs to be smart.
NickPerry
January 11, 2025 at 09:06 am
Great point...I don't want him to run just to run, but I would like him to run and be smart while doing it.
dblbogey
January 11, 2025 at 03:37 pm
Yep. Two or three 9-10 yard runs would be a big lift for GB, and maybe slow down the Eagles pass rush just a bit.
Mister Chievous
January 11, 2025 at 10:03 am
love runs the ball less than nearly every QB in the league. you make a good point about love refusing to take yards up the sideline. we all remember how he cost the pack the niners game when he had an easy road up the sideline for a first down but instead decided to throw it back into the middle of the field for a game ending interception.
Packers0808
January 11, 2025 at 08:08 am
Please no predictable end arounds with the wide receivers. on 3rd and short! Get screen game going! And KAFFT in passing game more.
dobber
January 11, 2025 at 09:05 am
"Please no predictable end arounds with the wide receivers."
That look has become so predictable that it should be creating opportunities play the defense off it. This has been set up so obviously that even a doofus like me can say it should be ripe for generating some chunk plays and unscouted looks.
This would be where the Illusion of Complexity would be kicking in.
Bitternotsour
January 11, 2025 at 09:46 am
typical fandom. don't run any plays that are unsuccessful.
Packers0808
January 11, 2025 at 11:06 am
You really can't be serious. Kicking in, more like telling them here is Reed nail him for a loss and force the punt!
Mister Chievous
January 11, 2025 at 10:04 am
how do you get down voted for that? sure are some dumb folks on here
Leatherhead
January 11, 2025 at 09:18 am
Packers are 8-0 when Jacobs gets 20 touches
Bitternotsour
January 11, 2025 at 09:43 am
yes, but those are only in games that they won.
PackerBackerAZ
January 11, 2025 at 09:49 am
The offense isn't reason the Packers will win or lose. Without a four man pass rush, consistently getting home, they have no chance to get a lead and run Jacobs a bunch. The defensive front four will determine the Packer's fate. Either they choose to play with intensity, controlled aggression and a will to dominate or they lose. I hope, somehow someway, they have acquired that mindset going into these playoffs. Hafley needs to let Cooper take Barkley out of the game, also.
Leatherhead
January 11, 2025 at 02:06 pm
The offense will be the reason we win, or lose, unless we pitch a shutout. You cannot win games without scoring points. Last year, 13 playoff games, the winning team had at least 24 in 12 of them. IOW, you have to score at least 24 points to win playoff games most of the time.
If we get to 24, we have a chance of winning. If we get to 30, we have a real good chance of winning.
The Eagles are not the fearsome passing team you seem to believe they are. For one, they throw fewer passes than any team in the league. They have fewer yards, a lower yards/attempt, and fewer TDs than t he Packers.
Objectively, you'd think the Packers have a better passing offense. Both of these teams succeed because they run the ball and play good defense. I think that's what we'll see tomorrow. Old School outdoors cold weather running the ball..
Mister Chievous
January 11, 2025 at 10:16 am
even casual fans understand that the eagles top priority will be to take away the Packers running game. our short passing game has been ineffective due to the fact the Packers receivers are among the worst in the NFL at yards after catch. reed is our best ranking 40th in the league. next is Watson at a woeful 155th. doubs and wicks are even worse. can our receivers finally do the job by not dropping passes AND breaking a few tackles and getting yac? can love stop missing open receivers? this, I believe, is the key tomorrow.
Packers0808
January 11, 2025 at 11:08 am
Why essential to use Kraft whenever possible. Guy is a plowhorse after catch!
Mister Chievous
January 11, 2025 at 11:57 am
agree
Leatherhead
January 11, 2025 at 02:20 pm
If our passing game, short or otherwise, is effective because we don't get many yards after catch, then I'm going to need somebody to explain:
1) Why do we have more TD passes than most of the teams in the league?
2) Why do we average more yards/attempt than 29 teams?
3) Why do we complete 64% of our passes?
4) Why are we 2nd in the league in yards/completion?
This seems like pretty good results to me. I'm not sure how it happens if our receivers are woeful at YAC, unless that really doesn't make any difference. Especially with a weak offensive line (Coldworld), an inept Oline coach (Coldworld) and a HC who needs to be fired (Coldworld).
Here's what I think: We have one of the better passing attacks in the league, Our QB is usually well protected and usually pretty accurate. We've had a bad problem with drops this year.....one of the worst seasons I can recall. Between Reed and Wicks we've dropped our fair share. It's hard to get YAC when you don't catch the pass to begin with. And, we don't throw it very much in the first place, so you're simply not going to get guys that are towards the top in YAC out of that situation.
Bitternotsour
January 11, 2025 at 04:28 pm
it takes a truly casual observation that overlooks the fact that a Fangio defense is designed to stop big plays. The defense and the philosophy is to keep from getting gutted. They'll allow completions in front of them, and run plays that aren't explosive. You know, like Fangio has done over his entire career.
Casual fan that.
Oppy
January 11, 2025 at 08:44 pm
Yards after Catch PER RECEPTION; across all players (not just WRs)
Josh Jacobs, #5 11.2
Tucker Kraft, #14 9.1
Doesn't just have to be WR's
Mister Chievous
January 12, 2025 at 10:22 pm
but I'm only talking about our receivers, who aren't good enough. try to stay on topic
NFLfan
January 11, 2025 at 10:45 am
Packers need a WR#1-
NickPerry
January 11, 2025 at 04:10 pm
Whoever downvoted this is a bigger homer than me.
Maybe it was Doubs and Reed themselves!
The Packers absolutely DO need a #1 WR.
Bitternotsour
January 11, 2025 at 04:38 pm
The Packers have 11 million dollars tied up in the receiver room. They balance the books with that philosophy. They're in the playoffs with a chance and they seem to have done pretty well up to this point.
Tough to argue with success.
Gutey has less money tied up in all of the receivers combined than most teams are paying one receiver, consider that.
Mister Chievous
January 12, 2025 at 10:24 pm
can we argue with "success" now? anyone who can't see how weak our receivers are just isn't smart enough
Oppy
January 12, 2025 at 02:21 pm
Packers are #4 in the league in Passing Yards per Attempt in 2024, without a "WR#1" apparently.
So objectively speaking, they move the ball better than all but 3 teams with the WR room as is in 2024.
What the Packers haven't done in 2024 is pass the ball much. Packers had 479 passing attempts in 2024, which was 30th in the league.
Mister Chievous
January 12, 2025 at 10:23 pm
down votes from dumb people