In last week’s article assessing the early gains of highly paid running backs from last offseason: Bill Barnwell of ESPN caused some confusion among Green Bay Packers fans by claiming that Josh Jacobs was “below average” to start the 2024 season. On the surface, it was difficult to make sense of it – Jacobs entered Week 8 among the league leaders in carries, rushing yards , total touches and total yards.
To his credit, however, Barnwell presented a powerful statistical argument that went beyond time-honored volume numbers.
In a humorous moment, Jacobs answered almost all of Barnwell’s concerns during the star’s performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Jacobs averaged 5.1 yards per carry, did not fumble, had a 64.7% first down completion rate, had 35 yards over expected (RYOE) rushing, had three runs of 10 or more yards and a 38-yard touchdown – checking pretty good almost all of the points that Barnwell raised in assessing his first seven games.
In terms of performance quality and value, Jacobs did most of the damage after Jordan Love was sidelined with an injury. After the Packers blew a 17-13 lead, Jacobs had four consecutive 16-yard runs to start the next drive and then finished the march with a 38-yard score, which, considering the difficulty, probably ranks high among his best crossings. season. Jacobs cut to his left, broke two tackles and ran to the end zone. Barnwell wanted explosive plays. He wanted long runs with more difficulty. Check and check.
Josh Jacobs with all the moves for a 38-yard TD!
📺: #GBvsJAX on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/CQ3b6aZ5CZ— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
In total, Jacobs made eight missed tackles and gained nearly 100 total yards after first touch, according to Pro Football Focus. His 35 RYOE ranked sixth among all players in Week 8. He gained more rushing yards than expected on 50 percent of his runs.
On his first try, Jacobs performed admirably, rushing 18 times for 106 yards and both touchdowns. I’d say it’s keeping the offense on track. Ten of his carries gained four or more yards on first down.
It’s a BIG TIME Jacobs 8 yard run on 1st and 10 in the 4th Q, scoring 10 points. F’n 9 guys in the box/around LOS for the Jags…
Wow, what a run. Make 3-4 guys miss, drag the DE another 4 yards. Phew pic.twitter.com/OsQmTaU6n0
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) October 28, 2024
Overall, Jacobs finished with 127 yards and two scores on 25 carries. Jacobs now has at least 90 yards rushing in four straight games and in six of the Packers’ first eight games. He ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing yards and fifth in total yards.
Will his impact in the first eight weeks be the same as Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley, two other additions this offseason? No, but Henry and Barkley are enjoying exceptionally great seasons so far. Jacobs continues to pace for almost 1,700 yards.
Entering Week 9, Jacobs ranks second in the NFL in first-touch yards per PFF, trailing Henry by just 11 yards. He also ranks fourth in missed tackles forced and third in rushes of 10 or more yards.
Of course, a week is just a week, and the Packers need Jacobs to continue the efficiency and on-field skills he showed in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars. But Jacobs has shown he still has elite, game-changing skills as a running back – which is why the Packers made him the highest-paid running back this offseason.
Once again, this is not a criticism of Barnwell. His statistical comparison of newly paid running backs this offseason was arduous but fair. Jacobs simply timed his takedown perfectly.
