Paul Bretl | 12/23/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The run game was again a catalyst behind the Packers’ success on offense, this time as they cruised to victory over the New Orleans Saints, while clinching a playoff spot in the process.
However, unlike in previous games, where Josh Jacobs shouldered the workload on the ground, a number of others got in on the action on Monday night as well, showcasing the versatility that the Packers have with their rushing attack.
“We just want to put the ball in our playmakers hands and we definitely saw looks from this team specifically of ways we could expose that,” said Christian Watson of the receivers involvement in the run game. “So it’s definitely something that we implemented to try to get the ball in our guys hands.”
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Now, of course, Jacobs was still the focal point, leading the team in attempts and yards with 13 carries for 69 yards at an efficient 5.3 yards per rush. Jacobs would also rush for a touchdown in his sixth consecutive game–the second-longest such streak in Packers’ franchise history.
But joining Jacobs in the run game’s success were eight other players. As you’d expect, we saw Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks get their opportunities, with the backup duo totaling 75 yards on 17 carries, along with each player finding the end zone as well.
“It’s a good group all around,” said Jordan Love after the game. “I think everyone had a touchdown in that group tonight so I think that’s always fun whenever all those guys can get touchdowns and get those opportunities to get some touches.
“But obviously, Josh is the main guy in that group and then to have Emanuel and Chris be able to come in and they had some big-time runs tonight too, breaking tackles and just those second-effort plays which goes unnoticed. But yeah, it’s a really good group that we’re going to need to lean on.”
In addition to the running backs, Jordan Love would also scramble for two yards on a play and Malik Willis had three carries–including two kneel downs–as well once he entered the game. We again saw Tucker Kraft initially go in motion while Love was in shotgun before quickly stopping under center to get the snap on a 3rd-and-1 play to pick up the first down. Kraft is now 3-for-3 in picking up first downs on such plays this season.
So right there, six different Packers players touched the ball in the run game. But where did the rest of the carries come from?
Well, it was the receiver position. Between Christian Watson, Bo Melton, and Jayden Reed, the three would carry the ball four times, totaling 42 yards. With nine different players recording a carry in this game, it was the first time since 1953 that this many players have had a rush attempt for the Packers, according to ESPN.
“We knew (they) weren’t traveling as much with the motions, so we started handing the ball off,” said Bo Melton. “Saw a lot of guys get around the edge on them, so we just started running out of the outside-zone things. It was fun.”
After multiple weeks of Green Bay frequently giving the ball to Jacobs between the tackles, the Packers utilized that previous tape to their advantage with misdirections, play-fakes, and getting the ball in their receivers’ hands as they stretched the defense horizontally by running towards the boundary.
In general, this element, running outside the tackle box, was a big part of the gameplan on the ground and went a bit against the grain in regards to what they had done in recent weeks. According to PFF’s initial metrics, six of Jacobs’ 13 carries went outside the tackles. For Wilson, eight of his 11 rushes were outside and Brooks had three of his six attempts head towards the boundary.
This ability that the Packers have shown to run between the tackles with a gap-blocking scheme and on the perimeter with an outside zone scheme adds a layer of unpredictability to their running game. Sure, defenses know Green Bay wants to run the ball, but they can attack opponents in a variety of ways with that, particularly when the receivers begin to get involved as well.
“We wanted to run a little bit outside zone tonight and we did,” said Sean Rhyan. “That’s kind of our base, core O-line thing is we’re an outside zone team and we’ve been going to a little bit gap scheme these past few weeks. Tonight was really good because it lets teams know that we still got outside. You can’t let those edges get soft now. It was real good.”
When it was all said and done on Monday night, the Packers finished the game rushing for 188 yards, three touchdowns, and averaging 4.8 yards per rush as a team.
“They’re playing good,” said Love of the offensive line. “I mean, anytime you can run the ball the way we’re running the ball, it’s obviously a testament to the Oline. And then in the pass game, another game no sacks so they’re playing really well as a unit and they’re going out there and handling business.
“There’s a lot that’s put on their plate with protections and different things that we do, and they’re doing a great job. We’re going to need to keep leaning on them obviously like I said with the run game but the pass game they’ve been great.”
The Packers’ reliance on other ball carriers and not running between the tackles as often was clearly a big part of the gameplan and is something they thought they could exploit against this Saints’ defense. The trickle-down effect of that, along with jumping out to a big lead, is that it also resulted in the Packers being able to take some of the workload and impact off of Jacobs’ shoulders with him on the sidelines for much of the second half.
Jacobs entered Monday night’s game having carried the ball 265 times this season, which was the third-highest mark in football through 14 games. If we add in his 31 receptions, Jacobs had touched the ball nearly 300 times this season and has been on the field for 589 snaps and that doesn’t include his workload from the Saints’ matchup.
This heavy involvement in the offense isn’t anything new for Jacobs. During his All-Pro 2022 season was Las Vegas, Jacobs was on the field for over 800 offensive snaps and carried the ball 340 times that year, on his way to rushing for 1,653 yards.
Although the path that Jacobs is currently on with Green Bay may not be uncharted territory, he is on pace for this 2024 season to be the second most carries he’s had over his six-year playing career. Through regular communication during the week with the coaching staff, his weekly preparation, and running style meant to mitigate the force of the impact, Jacobs has remained fresh this season, even with all those touches.
What the Packers put on Jacobs’ plate is always going to be front of mind in an effort to make sure he is fresh as possible come the postseason. With that said, if Jacobs is feeling good and until the Packers’ playoff position is set in stone, they will continue to rely on him as needed.
“I think that’s all the time,” said LaFleur when asked about being aware of Jacobs’ workload. “I think we got to be mindful of his workload 100% and he does a great job communicating with us in terms of where he’s at, and he’s been pretty healthy. So and certainly the production speaks for itself. I mean, he’s an animal out there.”
The Green Bay running game nearly outperformed the passing game. Love would complete 16-of-28 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. He averaged a modest 6.5 yards per attempt. In total, the Packers threw for 216 yards, with a 34-yard completion from Willis to Reed capping things off.
Overall, the Packers’ passing game couldn’t quite find its groove in this game, appearing disjointed at times throughout the night. While now at 5-10, the Saints have had their issues this season, where they’ve regularly made things difficult for opponents is through the air. New Orleans entered the game ranked eighth in interceptions, second in pass deflections, and had the fourth-lowest opponent passer rating.
“If you look at how they’ve been playing defensively, especially over the last five weeks, that’s a stingy group and they’re tough to go against,” LaFleur said of the Saints. “So I thought we came out of the gates the way we needed to and we weren’t getting a ton of explosive plays – they make you earn it, they can challenge you.
“I thought they did a good job of playing off of some tendencies they may have had on tape. Joe Woods, I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I think he’s one of the better coaches in this league and he was keeping us off balance quite a bit.”
Sparked by the running game, the Packers’ offense is rolling right now. After their performance against the Saints, the Packers have now scored at least 30 points in five straight games. Obviously, in order for that to happen, there has to be a lot of good. However, while true, the Packers also believe that there is still some meat left on that bone.
“There was a lot of good things,” said LaFleur of the offensive performance. “Certainly some things that were frustrating in the second half. I didn’t love that pseudo two-minute drive at the end of the first half, didn’t capitalize on that, had a three and out and had to punt. And then there were a couple missed opps I think in the second half.
“I thought they did a good job of getting to Jordan when we decided to throw the ball. Like I said, they played a little bit more man coverage in the second half and made it a little bit more difficult just to get explosive plays. But ultimately it was one of those where you felt pretty comfortable with a lead and you weren’t going to get too crazy, and kinda, we did what we had to do running the football.”