The Packers boast a balanced offense with myriad weapons around ascending quarterback Jordan Love, but it sounds like head coach Matt LaFleur is about to significantly lean into Josh Jacobs and Green Bay’s ground attack.
Green Bay needs to figure out how to get the running game going, after the Lions held Jacobs to just 66 yards and 3.5 yards per rushing attempt in Week 1. While Jacobs found the endzone for his first touchdown of the season, in the opener, bigger production could be coming against Washington.
Packers could lean into Josh Jacobs vs. Washington
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the second half at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Jacobs’ rather quiet first game of the season, did feature a significant workload, with 20 total touches, but it doesn’t sound like the quick turnaround before another physical game against the Commanders will impact head coach Matt LaFleur’s plans for his veteran running back.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Jacobs could see a big uptick in usage against the Commanders.
“Every week, Packers coach Matt LaFleur asks running back Josh Jacobs how he’s feeling,” Fowler writes. “It’s essentially code for “Are you ready for a big workload?” LaFleur has asked Jacobs this entering Thursday night, and Jacobs indeed wants a rather large volume of touches. In fact, Jacobs feels as if having a Thursday night game early in the season is good for a running back from a recovery standpoint. He saw several eight- and nine-man boxes last week against Detroit and might see the same against Washington.”
If LaFleur leans into Jacobs and the running game, it would go a long way towards not just dictating ot the Commanders’ defense and throwing open the entire playbook but perhaps even playing a brand of ball control that limits the opportunities for Jayden Daniels and Washington’s offense to inflict major damage.
Sep 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs with the ball against Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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