The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for an exciting start to the NFL season, and most notably, they’re excited for Josh Jacobs to take the field. Despite being the story of the offseason for the Silver and Black, Jacobs and the Raiders eventually met in the middle. He agreed to come back on a one-year deal, and despite missing all of the offseason, everyone’s thrilled to have him back. Now, it’s on to handling business in Denver.
Josh Jacobs’ Dominance Against The Broncos
One of the reasons the Raiders are excited to have Jacobs back is his past performance against their divisional rival, the Denver Broncos. In his first four seasons, the Alabama product has consistently run all over the Broncos’ defense, exhibiting his stature as one of the NFL’s top running backs. In seven games against Denver, Jacobs has rushed for an impressive 721 yards and scored nine touchdowns. His success against the Broncos has wildly influenced the Raiders’ victories over their divisional opponents.
The Raiders have a history of success against the Broncos, winning six consecutive matchups and seven out of the last eight games. Jacobs’ contributions have played a huge role in these victories, further solidifying his importance to the team. The only time the Broncos emerged victorious since 2019 was in the last game of that season, when Jacobs could not play due to injury. This history adds an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming matchup as the Raiders look to extend their winning streak against the Broncos.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton recognizes Jacobs’ impact on the game and acknowledges his status as one of the league’s most dominant running backs. Payton’s defensive plan revolves around containing the 2022 All-Pro and limiting his ability to make big plays on the field.
“Our plan defensively is, here are the key players,” Payton told 9News Denver. “He certainly is one of the more dominant running backs in the NFL, so that’s how we’ll approach the game.”
The Impact Of Jacobs’ Return
After his contract dispute, Jacobs’ return to the Raiders tremendously boosts the Raiders outlook.
In the 2022 season, Jacobs led the NFL in rushing, solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier running backs. He showcased his talents against various opponents, including the Denver Broncos. In Week 4, Jacobs rushed for an impressive 144 yards and scored two touchdowns in a victory over the Broncos. Later in Week 11, he continued his dominance, rushing for 109 yards in another win against Denver.
In short, Josh Jacobs is arguably the best running back in the NFL. He will run over the Broncos once again, and by this time next week, we will all be contemplating Jacobs’s chance of a 2000-yard season.
*Top Photo: Frank Jansky/Icon Sports Wire via Getty Images