Toppling the Packers Begins with Accomplishing One Central Goal
Stifle the run game.
So far, Josh Jacobs has been a monster for the Green Bay Packers. The 26-year-old has piled up 62 carries for 278 yards and 13 first-down runs across the opening three games. Crunch the numbers and that’s a 4.5 yards-per-carry average. Does Minnesota’s defense have what it takes to limit the talented runner?
Defeating the Packers by Limiting Josh Jacobs
Clearly, Green Bay believes in what the former Raider is capable of bringing to their team.
The Packers made the controversial decision to move on from Aaron Jones during the offseason. Doing so involved pivoting toward the younger Jacobs, a runner they added via a four-year, $48 million deal. In the modern NFL, that’s a good payday for a runner.
Of course, the main story coming out of Green Bay in 2024 is the injury to Jordan Love. The replacement for Aaron Rodgers has shown ample promise in his young career but has been sidelined due to a knee injury. The end result has been Malik Willis — recently acquired from the Titans — leading the Cheeseheads to a pair of wins.
Willis and head coach Matt LaFleur deserve a pile of credit — just listen to Brian Flores’ presser from earlier in the week — but don’t miss the workload for Jacobs in these games.
In Week 2, Jacobs turned 32 carries into 151 yards. In Week 3, Jacobs turned 14 carries into 43 yards. Alongside Mr. Jacobs is RB2 Emanuel Wilson, someone who helped to pick up the slack in Week 3. Wilson had 12 carries for 50 yards to stand alongside 2 receptions for 35 yards and a score.
Plus, Willis happens to be adept at moving the ball on the ground. The QB2 is up to 12 carries for 114 yards and a score. Ultra efficient.
Minnesota’s task will involve neutralizing the run game. Put the game on the quarterback and his arm. Putting the Packers into 3rd & 9 is where Brian Flores wants to be (read more). In that scenario, the defensive front can pin their ears back and look to keep the pressure high.
Currently, the Vikings are sitting in a tie for 2nd in the NFL by allowing just 214 yards on the ground in three games. Runners are averaging a meagre 3.6 yards-per-carry against the defense. Can that kind of elite play carryover into Week 4? If so, then a win feels likely.
As boring as it sounds, shutting down the run could be the critical factor in winning at Lambeau. The cherry on top will be if Aaron Jones gets his revenge by piling up carries, yards, and scores.
Kickoff takes place today at 12 p.m. CT.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
Vikings Rumors: Re-Signing Sam Darnold, Kwesi (Finally) Nailed It, and Week 4 Reinforcements
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.