Las Vegas Raiders: 5 biggest surprises of 2022 thus far

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 02: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: 5 biggest surprises of 2022 thus far

Josh Jacobs has exploded

Major props to Josh Jacobs. This was a guy with his back planted firmly against the wall when the season started. Zamir White was brought in as a rookie looking to supplant Jacobs as the RB1. They also brought in Brandon Bolden, the former Patriot, reuniting with Josh McDaniels.

Jacobs had regressed in rushing yards each year since being a rookie and his carries had dropped drastically between 2020 and 2021 from 273 in 2020 to just 217 in 2021. As Raider Nation, we all know by now the steep drop-off Jacobs had from his rookie season to last year, so either he had to come out like a bat out of hell in 2022, or he was going to be off the team come 2023.

And the former is what happened……in a big way, mind you.

Josh is now on pace to rush for the most yards of his career, currently sitting at 633 on the season. His yards per attempt are currently at a career-high by almost a full yard (5.7 right now – 4.8 as a rookie). And he’s at a staggering 105.5 yards per game mark, which eclipses his rookie campaign of 88.5 yards per game.

I’d venture to say if it hadn’t been for Jacobs so far in 2022, the Raiders might not even have a single win because he’s been the driving force of this offense through and through to this point.

What a career resurgence he is having!

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