Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been one of the best at his position to begin the 2024 NFL season, recording a combined 235 yards in two games while averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
The former rushing champion leads a Green Bay ground attack that rushed the ball 53 times in a Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts as Malik Willis took over for an injured Jordan Love. Regardless of who starts at quarterback this Sunday, however, the leader of the Tennessee Titans’ defense is committed to slowing down Jacobs and the run game.
“At the end of the day, since I’ve been here in Tennessee, and I’ve been preaching this message since I’ve been here since that’s kind of what got brought to my attention, no one runs the ball on the Tennessee Titans defense,” Jeffery Simmons said earlier this week, via AtoZSports Nashville. “I think our mindset is, and one of those defensive goals this week is to stop the run. So, no matter who has the ball in their hand, we have to swarm to the ball and make sure everybody gets to the ball. And, quite frankly, we need to get the ball off them.”
Jacobs, the third-leading rusher in the NFL through the first two weeks of the season, responded to Simmons’ comments on Friday.
“Me personally, I heard the comment. A lot of people sent it to me,” Jacobs said, via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. “I don’t really feel no type of way about it. If I was on defense, I’d be saying the same thing. Running the ball or offensively, I feel like can’t no defense stop us, so I would say the same thing. Obviously, they’ve got a good defensive front. The back guys have played a lot of football. They’re a physical team, so we’re going to see.”
Heading into Week 3, the Packers lead the NFL with 424 rushing yards. Last Sunday against Indianapolis, the Packers rushed for 261 yards, which was the most in a game during head coach Matt LaFleur’s tenure in Green Bay, per NFL Research.
Jacobs has led that charge, but Emanuel Wilson has also provided good run plays as his backup, averaging 6.1 yards per carry on nine attempts so far. Wideout Jayden Reedhas also been used on sweeps, gaining 70 yards on three attempts and scoring a touchdown on one last week.
It remains to be seen whether Green Bay continues a run-heavy game plan with Love (knee) questionable to play. Willis making his second consecutive start would almost certainly make that the case and the table would then be set for a showdown against a Titans defense that has surrendered 92.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks 10th in the NFL through two weeks.
Willis would also be facing his former team, who traded him to Green Bay just ahead of the 2024 season for a seventh-round pick. The third-year pro has also contributed to the Packers’ ample rushing attack with 41 yards in his one start.
Jacobs and Simmons will certainly clash come Sunday, however, setting the table for a showdown in Tennessee at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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