To say that things have been a bit difficult for Josh Jacobs to open the season would be a massive understatement. The NFL’s leading rusher from the 2022 season had -2 yards rushing on nine carries in Week 2 as the Bills completely shut down the All-Pro running back.
Through the first two games of the season, Jacobs is averaging 1.6 yards per carry. He has just 46 rushing yards on 28 carries and has yet to reach the end zone.
Buy Raiders TicketsThis isn’t all that unfamiliar for Jacobs as he struggled a bit out of the gate last year, as well. But by October, he was absolutely dominant (523 total yards and 6 touchdowns between Weeks 4-6). So when can we expect Jacobs to look like his old self once again? The hope is very, very soon.
In a recent article from Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, he wrote about the slumping Jacobs after the first two weeks of the season. And he believes it’s only a matter of time before Jacobs starts to play at a high level once again. Here is what he had to say about the Pro Bowl running back:
The reigning NFL rushing leader is rounding into shape after sitting out OTAs, minicamp, training camp and the exhibition season in a contract stalemate. And the Raiders are breaking in a new right guard in Greg Van Roten, so the offensive line is taking a bit to jell.
And with the Raiders never having control of the line of scrimmage at Buffalo, where the All-Pro running back rushed for minus-2 yards on nine carries, the lack of success running the ball is entirely too real.
Once Jacobs gets into game shape, the O-line is able to enforce its will and the Raiders are no longer one-dimensional, the tide will turn. At least, that’s what the Raiders are counting on.
The Raiders have a fascinating matchup in Week 3 as they will host the Steelers. Pittsburgh has two elite EDGE rushers in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, but they’ve allowed 386 rushing yards through the first two games.
Is this the week that Jacobs finally gets back on track? The Raiders will certainly need a big game from him if they want to steal a win against another AFC contender.
