The Green Bay Packers’ running game got off to a slow, puzzling start in the first three weeks of the season. Every carry for running back Josh Jacobs felt like an uphill battle with an offensive line that couldn’t gain any traction.

Green Bay seemed to sort that out in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. Given Jacobs’ impressive track record, it’s fair to assume the ground attack is one element of the Packers’ ground game that should be strong coming out of the bye week.

In the first three weeks of the season combined, Jacobs had three rushes of 10 or more yards. Against the Cowboys, Jacobs matched that total with three more. And if you include the passing game, Jacobs was responsible for numerous chunk plays in a game where he looked like the 2024 version of himself.

Jacobs had runs of 14, 18, and 19 yards. The 18-yarder was a beautiful scamper into the end zone. The bell cow of the offense also had receptions of 25 and 28 yards. Jacobs finished with 157 yards, his most in a Packers uniform. His 71 receiving yards led the team.

However, the running game had been choppy entering Week 4.

Jacobs averaged 4.4 yards per rush last year for Green Bay, right in line with his 4.3 career average. Entering Sunday night’s game, that number was at 3.1 on the season. It’s still at a pedestrian 3.3 after the game, but now he’s on the rise.

The obvious quibble here is that the sample size for his comeback is only one game. However, that overlooks Jacobs’ extensive track record, which speaks for itself. Couple that with the Packers potentially getting Zach Tom and/or Aaron Banks back after the bye week, and the running game is rounding into shape. We just needed to see it again to believe it.

Jacobs credited the Dallas scheme for playing right into Green Bay’s hands.

I think it was a combination between the guys up front that we have … but also their scheme. … They kind of got hit-or-miss plays. They slanted their lines a lot. … If you get behind it, it’s a big one and that’s kind of how the game played out.

In the first two games — wins over Detroit and Washington — the Packers leaned on the passing game early to set the tone. While the ground game picked up in the second half of both contests, it wasn’t standing out.

The Packers started the same way against Dallas, coming out on the opening drive in a lot of shotgun looks. They were playing pass-heavy football. In an eight-play drive for 69 yards and a touchdown, Green Bay passed it effectively five times, while Jacobs had the three running plays for a net negative yard.

It was much of the same on the second scoring drive, although Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson both sprinkled in some positive running plays. However, it was the passing game carrying the weight. Yet again, the running game came to life in the second half, this time in a significant way.

Jacobs started ripping off one chunk play after another. Instead of running just to maintain balance in the offense, the ground game and passing game were complementing one another.

For those who are still a little wary, consider what awaits Green Bay in the coming weeks.

The Packers have already faced the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, and Washington Commanders this year. Cleveland is first in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game at 70.3. Detroit is No. 7 at 94 rushing yards allowed per game. Washington checks in at No. 14.

Coming out of the bye week, the Packers will face the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings.

The only formidable team in that group against the run has been the Cardinals. Cincinnati is 26th in rushing yards allowed per game. Pittsburgh checks in at No. 19, while Carolina currently resides at No. 23. For all the good the Eagles defense brings to the table, they are No. 21 in rushing yards allowed per contest. The Giants are ranked No. 29, while the Vikings are at No. 24.

There will be ample opportunity for the Packers to build on the progress in the ground game against the Cowboys. That opportunity will come immediately against a Bengals defense that just allowed 186 rushing yards to Denver on Monday, including 101 from J.K. Dobbins.

There was plenty of angst surrounding the ground game entering Week 4. A lot of that worry was put to rest. After the bye week, Jacobs and Co. will be licking their chops to face some of the run defenses on the schedule. Don’t forget, MarShawn Lloyd should be returning soon. If he can finally stay healthy, he’s a major chess piece added to the board.

If you want to fret your way through the bye week, worry about penalties, the pre-snap ones in particular, and a defense that is not generating takeaways. The running game is just fine.