The Green Bay Packers lead the NFL in both total rushing yards and interceptions after two weeks of the 2024 season.
The Packers have 424 rushing yards, 29 more than the second-place Los Angeles Chargers. Green Bay rushed for 163 yards in Week 1 in Brazil and 261 yards in the home opener on Sunday. The Packers are averaging 5.7 yards per carry, second-best in the NFL, and the running attack has an NFL-best 13 designed runs of 10 or more yards, including six by Josh Jacobs.
Speaking of Jacobs, his 235 rushing yards rank third in the NFL. Jayden Reed ranks first among wide receivers with 70 rushing yards and has gained at least 10 yards on all three of his rushing attempts, including a 33-yard touchdown in the first game. Backup Emanuel Wilson had a pair of runs of 10-plus yards in the first game.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Packers forced 16 fumbles and gained 275 yards after first contact, suggesting that the combination of blocking up front and player skill create a energetic ground game.
Five different running backs have attempted 15 or more yards in two games: Jacobs, Reed, Malik Willis, Wilson and Bo Melton. Matt LaFleur hasn’t been afraid to be versatile in the running game, especially with Jordan Love missing time with a knee injury.
According to Next Gen Stats, Jacobs, Reed, and Wilson have combined for 125 yards more than expected (RYOE), which again suggests that the talent in the running game is creating massive plays. Jacobs ranks second in the NFL with +62 RYOE through two games. Despite a destitute year in 2023, Jacobs looks back on an elite version of himself as a running back.
Defensively, the Packers have six interceptions, including an NFL-best five. Only two other teams have five — the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints. Jeff Hafley’s defense has three interceptions in each game to start the season. Prized free agent Xavier McKinney has a pair of interceptions. Jaire Alexander caught a pass in the end zone in Week 1, while Eric Wilson stopped a second-half drive in Packers territory with an interception in Week 2. Evan Williams finished the game Sunday with a Hail Mary interception. The Packers have even given up a few interceptions, most notably Keisean Nixon’s potential pick-six in Week 1 and what could have been a game-ending catch on Quay Walker’s final drive Sunday.
Of course, the 2024 season is only two weeks ancient. Things can change quickly in the NFL. But the early swings in the running game and receiving game are encouraging for Matt LaFleur’s team.
The Packers were a dominant running team to end the 2023 season, helping fuel a late-season surge. Swapping Aaron Jones for Jacobs didn’t exactly halt the momentum; in fact, Jacobs has fit in perfectly and looks explosive and demanding to contain early on. On offense, LaFleur challenged the Packers’ offensive line to win the game on Sunday, and they delivered time and again.
On defense, LaFleur and Hafley have prioritized interceptions after the Packers intercepted just seven passes in Joe Barry’s final year as defensive coordinator in 2023. The Packers look set to surpass that number early in 2024. LaFleur pointed to a “vision-based” pattern for why the Packers are picking up so many passes early this season. Pressure and improved talent — especially with McKinney at safety — have helped fuel a resurgence in interceptions.
Next up is a road trip to face the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. The Titans have allowed just 185 rushing yards and 4.0 yards per rush this season, but Tennessee has turned the ball over five times, including three interceptions and two lost fumbles by sophomore quarterback Will Levis.
