Raiders: 3 reasons Josh Jacobs is about to go off
Raiders: 3 reasons Josh Jacobs is about to go off
Reason No. 3: Jacobs is making the most of his opportunity right now
Just as Lombardi alluded to, Jacobs is making the most of his opportunity. However, Lombardi isn’t the only one that’s observant of this. Quarterback Derek Carr has expressed his joy in watching Jacobs this season. Describing his running as “extremely violent.” And by violent, Carr means all of the aspects of Jacobs’s game. “Not just the physicality, his cuts are violent. His mentality is violent. Really impressive in what he’s been able to do.”
McDaniels himself hailed Jacobs as a “good, complete back” recently. Compliments aside, Jacobs’ on-field data also paints the same picture. Whatever his motivation is, Jacobs is arguably a top-five, maybe top-three, NFL running back this season. He’s currently third in terms of yardage behind Nick Chubb and Saquon Barkley. Jacobs is also tied for fifth place in rushing touchdowns.
The numbers that really jump out at you right now and that tend to support the idea that Jacobs is going to continue to dominate are the yards per carry.
Against the Chiefs, Jacobs averaged 7.3, and before that, against the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans, he averaged 5.1 in both of those games. Running behind fullback Jakob Johnson and an O-line that’s found its footing, you’d be foolish not to think that Jacobs is going to continue this hot streak.