GREEN BAY – Josh Jacobs has made a huge impact on the Green Bay Packers‘ offense.
Opposing defenses know that, too.
It’s no surprise that teams are making a strong effort to take away the run game by loading defenders in the box. Jacobs is earning every yard.
Advertisement
“We’ve had coordinators that have said that their mission is to stop Josh,” Packers running backs coach Ben Sirmans said. “I tell these guys all the time, if they’re not preparing for you then they don’t respect you.”
Through the first two games, Jacobs has 150 rushing yards on 42 carries, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. His carries are second in the NFL and he ranks eighth in rushing yards.
“A lot of these teams that we play, we already know, they’re going to load the box,” Jacobs said. “It’s going to be eight or nine guys in there. Safety is going to be flowing hard. It is what it is and it’s what we’ve got to expect. We’ve got to learn how to make adjustments from that.”
One thing defenses still can’t figure out is how to keep Jacobs out of the end zone. He’s scored a touchdown in both games to start the season.
Advertisement
“He just has a knack for finding the end zone,” Sirmans said. “You combine that with how quick he is, along with his power, it makes it easier for tacklers to bounce off him, finish with great strength, and he’s got really good instincts to find the hole.”
Jacobs could be on the verge of history. He’s scored a rushing touchdown in 11 straight games, including playoffs. That stretch matches the second-longest streak by any NFL player since 2000. If he scores a rushing touchdown in this Week 3 matchup with the Cleveland Browns, he ties LaDainian Tomlinson at the top of the list.
It’s a streak Jacobs didn’t know about until the team’s offensive meeting Sept. 18.
Injury news: Packers don’t think Tucker Kraft knee injury will be long term, but Week 3 status up in air
Advertisement
“He’s one guy that I looked up to growing up playing this running back position, so it’s definitely a great honor,” Jacobs said on the possibility of matching Tomlinson’s streak. “I don’t really too much dig into it or look into it.”
Jacobs said he’s more focused on a 3-0 record instead of a 12th consecutive game with a rushing touchdown, and if he finds the end zone, it will be earned. The Browns are winless on the season, but sport the top-ranked defense in the NFL.
“They have a really good defensive front. They have one of the best defensive guys in the league (in Myles Garrett) over there. It’s going to be a big challenge,” Jacobs said. “They’ve been stopping the run really good. They’ve got pretty good DBs too. It’s going to be an interesting week for us to be able to see where we’re at and go against a great defense like that, but I think it’ll be fun.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers’ Josh Jacobs may match LaDainian Tomlinson’s touchdown streak