Josh Jacobs, rushing game gives Packers something to rely on

GREEN BAY, Wis. — That’s not how Matt LaFleur set out to beat the San Francisco 49ers. He had no intention of running the ball 42 times. He didn’t count on Jordan Love only throwing for 163 yards.

No two game plans are ever the same, but after the way the Green Bay Packers coach called plays in Sunday’s 38-10 victory, LaFleur may have discovered another way his 8-3 team can win games down the stretch.

He has running back Josh Jacobs and a road-graded offensive line to thank for that.

Jacobs racked up 106 yards (most of them between the tackles) and scored three times (all 1-yard runs) to not only show the rest of the NFL that the Packers have a different way to win games, but also to to remind themselves that they don’t always have to rely on Love slinging it all over the court or their defense to take the ball away.

Some in the home team’s locker room came away thinking a running game like the one they played against the 49ers can take the Packers where they want to go.

“Super Bowl,” defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt said. “I mean if we all click together as one, Super Bowl. That’s all I can say.”

Jacobs has proven to be worth every penny of the $14.8 million the Packers will pay him this season as part of the four-year, $48 million contract he signed to leave the Raiders in free agency. On Sunday, he did most of his work where it’s often hardest: between the tackles, where he rushed for 91 of his yards and all three of his touchdowns.

According to ESPN Research, Jacobs has averaged 80.6 yards per carry. game between the tackles this season, which ranks second in the NFL behind only Saquon Barkley. No Packers player has averaged as many yards between the tackles since ESPN began tracking rushing yards in 2006.

“You know that No. 8 out there?” LaFleur said, referring to Jacobs by his number. “Did you see how many people he made miss? It was pretty impressive.”

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Josh Jacobs completes hat trick with 3rd TD vs. 49ers

Josh Jacobs plunges into the end zone and catches his third rushing touchdown against the 49ers to add to the Packers’ lead.

It wasn’t just Jacobs. Backup running back Emanuel Wilson (nine carries for 41 yards) ripped off consecutive runs of 9 and 19 yards on a first-quarter drive that resulted in a field goal and a 10-0 lead.

“I hope going forward the run game is something we can always rely on,” center Josh Myers said. “Like if things don’t work, we can always turn to the run game. I think that’s what the best football teams are able to do, and going here, hopefully we’re able to do it more and more and just keep pushing.”

The Packers have been solid in the run game all season. They entered Sunday’s game ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game, but with 42 rushes vs. The 49ers were committed to it more than any other game this season except for Week 2, when backup quarterback Malik Willis made his first game. kickoff, and the Packers ran it 53 times and threw just 14 passes.

It also meant Love didn’t have to force throws. He pitched an interception-free game for the first time this season, ending a streak of eight straight games with at least one pick. While completing just 13 passes (on 23 attempts) for 163 yards, he threw touchdowns to tight end Tucker Kraft and receiver Malik Heath.

“I think it all started with the run game,” Love said. “I think we made some big plays in the run game. The O-line did a great job of giving Josh some pitches and then he just gave the ball to the 8. Three touchdowns on the ground for him, big night for him. I think , it all started over.”

That all his came against a team that started backup quarterback Brandon Allen and was without left tackle Trent Williams and pass rusher Nick Bosa might devalue the win, but it shouldn’t underscore how they won.

When the Packers went on the run late last season, they averaged the third-most passing yards per game (261.0) over the last eight games. While they were a respectable 11th in rushing yards per game (123.3) over that same stretch, the running game was not their identity.

Maybe it could be now with Jacobs carrying 26 times Sunday despite having to leave briefly to get treatment for cramps. In fact, Jacobs said he told the offensive line that he was cramping so badly before his second and final touchdown that he likely only had one more play left in him before he would need any fluids.

“So I thought we only have one chance for me to score right here because I’m going in the locker room,” Jacobs said.

That helped reverse the red zone woes that, entering the game, had the Packers ranking 27th in touchdown percentage on drives inside the 20. On Sunday, they were a perfect 5-for-5.

“I just told them, give me the ball,” Jacobs said, laughing. “I think we went in with a great scheme. I think that’s going to be a focal point in this building, to try to be an area to grow in and get better at. So it’s good when you know that you put in hard work all week and it’s paying off.”

The question now is, what does Jacobs have left for the short turnaround for the Thanksgiving home game against the Dolphins (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)?

“Fortunately for us, we have confidence in the other two backs,” LaFleur said. “I thought Emanuel Wilson ran really well. (Chris) Brooks has given us some good results as well. So yeah, we might have to lean on those guys a little bit more next game in a couple of days here. But that is a guy that I don’t care that guy is an animal and he certainly enjoys those opportunities.