The Green Bay Packers used nine different players to rush for 188 yards in Monday’s 34-0 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field.
Josh Jacobs averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored another touchdown on 13 attempts, backups Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks combined for 75 rushing yards and two scores, Packers receivers rushed for 42 yards and both Jordan Love and Tucker Kraft took advantage of tricky first-down attempts.
The Packers’ 188 rushing yards gave them their second-most in a game this season. Green Bay currently ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing yards and fifth in rushing touchdowns through 16 weeks.
Jacobs got the party started, and his 20-yard run on the first possession – in which he tackled Tyrann Mathieu to the ground with stiff arms and finished the run – set the tone early. Wilson and Brooks were bruisers with the ball in their hands, especially in the second half when the Packers rested Jacobs. Matt LaFleur committed Christian Watson (2 carries, 23 yards), Bo Melton (1 carry, 14 yards) and Jayden Reed (1 carry, 5 yards), and the Packers took third with Kraft’s third successful pass of the season and a 4th-and-1. with an effortless trick from Love.
Of the Packers’ first 24 losses, 14 were on the ground.
On a night when Love made some explosive plays but was overall inconsistent, the Packers still scored 34 points and escaped with the victory because the running game was extremely productive and reliable.
There are many ways for LaFleur’s team to win. This is a Packers team that can win the battle at the line of scrimmage and play the physical football that is often required outdoors in December and January. They can also create explosive plays in the passing game, play deadly defense, and be reliable on special teams – imagine that! Brandon McManus and Daniel Whelan were outstanding.
The running game will be key as the Packers face an NFC playoff challenge. Finesse teams won’t survive. Physical yes. The Packers are built to survive in an offense that is increasingly looking like a dominant offense.
