Josh Jacobs has provided a big boost to the Packers' running game in his first season in Green Bay. Meanwhile, his former team, the Raiders, has the least productive running game in the NFL in 2024.
While Las Vegas has gone from No. 30 to No. 32 in rushing offense, Jacobs' new team has gone from No. 14 to No. 5. Some thought that Jacobs, the league's rushing and scrimmage yards champ in 2022, had faded after a career year. But the Packers' faith in him — signing Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million contract in free agency — has been well rewarded by a feature back still in his prime.
Here's looking at Jacobs' numbers this season and why he's been so productive.
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Josh Jacobs' stats with Packers in 2024
In 12 games for Green Bay heading into the big Week 14 division game at NFC North leader Detroit, Jacobs has rushed for 987 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and eight TDs. He has 221 carries, averaging more than 18 per game. He's added 27 catches for 260 yards and his first-ever career receiving TD.
He's on pace to rush for 1,398 yards with a career-high 13 total TDs. He's also tracking toward 1,767 scrimmage yards, the second-highest total in his six NFL seasons.
Two years ago for the Raiders, Jacobs led the league with 1,653 rushing yards and 2.053 scrimmage yards and scored 12 times. At only 26, he is back producing at a high level after averaging only 3.5 yards per carry in 13 healthy games in Las Vegas in 2023.
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Why Josh Jacobs has been such a great fit for the Packers
Fellow league-leading backs Saquon Barkley (Eagles) and Derrick Henry (Ravens) are getting deserved attention for big post-free agency seasons, but Jacobs also has turned out to be a terrific free-agent addition.
The Packers needed him to carry a big load after top backup AJ Dillon and promising rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd suffered significant preseason injuries. They have needed to rely on undrafted second-year players Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks as the backups.
Jacobs is benefitting from Matt LaFleur's great running system and play-calling. Green Bay ran the ball only 43 percent of the time last season. With Jacobs, they are a lot more balanced, running 50.7 percent of the time.
Dillon and Aaron Jones combined for 320 carries last season. Jacobs is on pace for 313, giving them one back who can be effective in power rushing and outlet receiving. His three-down work has made the Packers less predictable in terms of run vs. pass.
Both starting quarterback Jordan Love and, when needed, backup Malik Willis, have fared well passing off play-action, a direct result of Jacobs' consistency and effectiveness. The Packers also are getting better correlated play from a much-improved defense coordinated by Jeff Hafley.
Given Love's issues with interceptions and injury, plus inconsistency in the receiving corps, there's no doubt Jacobs has been the Packers' offensive MVP. Like Barkley and Henry, he's taken full advantage of leaving a losing situation for a much better team with a much better scheme.
