Raiders: 3 Keys to victory against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17
Raiders: 3 Keys to victory against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17
Key #3: Let Josh Jacobs cook
The Raiders have a decision to make regarding Josh Jacobs’ fifth-year option and, up until recently, it looked like a forgone conclusion that he would be yet another first-round pick that Las Vegas missed on.
In their week fourteen loss to the Chiefs, Jacobs fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, resulting in a Kansas City defensive touchdown. Then, last week, the former Alabama running back had yet another egregious fumble, hitting the ball off of his hip while carelessly carrying it with one hand.
The Raiders went into the half after the turnover losing a game that they were dominating in every facet. The Allegiant Stadium fans booed them off of the field. Then, something happened.
Josh Jacobs came alive.
Jacobs came out of the locker room looking like a player that Raiders’ fans have not seen since 2019. On the first drive of the second half, Jacobs took Las Vegas down the entire field, only for Peyton Barber to come in for a two-yard touchdown. He was running angry and aggressive in a way that he hasn’t for a long time.
Jacobs finished with 129 rushing yards, including 104 in the second half alone. While there may be talk about the offensive line, and they have shown improvement, this was all Jacobs. He was cutting and hitting holes with a newfound (or re-found, rather) aggression.
Jacobs carried the ball last Sunday 27 times in the Raiders’ win, which moved their record to 11-3 all time when handing the ball off 20 or more times to Jacobs.
It was clear, once again, this past week that Las Vegas is a different team when Jacobs is cooking. It takes the pressure off of Derek Carr and opens up space for an average receiving core. For this Sunday’s impending clash with the Colts, it would be wise to get Jacobs going once again.