The lights at Lambeau Field burned bright on December 27, 2025, as the Green Bay Packers took on the Baltimore Ravens in a pivotal Week 17 showdown. All eyes were on Packers running back Josh Jacobs, whose journey from Alabama standout to NFL star has been marked by grit, resilience, and no shortage of touchdowns. Yet, as the game wore on, it became clear that this night would be a grind for Jacobs and the Packers’ ground game.
Jacobs, who entered the contest tied for second in the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns, was expected to be a focal point of Green Bay’s offense—especially with starting quarterback Jordan Love sidelined by a concussion. Malik Willis, thrust into the starting role, faced a tall order against a Ravens defense that, despite its struggles, had made it a priority to contain Jacobs and force the Packers into a one-dimensional attack.
Coming into this clash, Jacobs had been dealing with nagging knee and ankle injuries. He practiced in a limited fashion throughout the week, and although he carried no injury designation, the effects of his ailments were evident. According to The Sporting News, "Three quarters in and Jacobs is stuck on four carries for three yards and one catch for zero yards." The Packers, hampered by a rotating backfield that included Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks, had run the ball just 11 times by the third quarter. Baltimore’s dominance in time of possession only compounded Jacobs’ woes, limiting his opportunities and sapping any offensive rhythm Green Bay hoped to establish.
It wasn’t for lack of effort or pedigree. Since being drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Jacobs has amassed 7,800 rushing yards—second only to Derrick Henry’s 10,383 over nearly seven seasons. Both men, products of the storied Alabama program, have set the standard for NFL running backs. Jacobs reflected on his relationship with Henry, saying, "He used to come back all the time to work out, and, obviously, he’s like a legend there, so you hear a lot of the stories about things that he used to do like squat 500 pounds after a game and stuff like that." Those summer training sessions in Tuscaloosa, often joined by the legendary Julio Jones, helped shape Jacobs’ approach to the game and his understanding of what it means to uphold the Alabama tradition.
But football is a game of circumstances, and on this chilly Saturday night, the circumstances were not in Jacobs’ favor. By halftime, he had managed just two carries for one yard and had not been targeted in the passing game. The Packers’ opening drives were stymied by a lack of plays, with Jacobs finding himself on the sidelines during key series—including a third offensive possession that ended in a turnover after just two plays. The Ravens, ranked near the bottom of the league in time of possession, flipped the script by keeping their offense on the field and Green Bay’s off it.
Baltimore’s defensive coordinator, Zach Orr, had made it clear in the lead-up to the game that stopping Jacobs was the top priority. “Orr needs to keep Jacobs under 22 rushing attempts to help the Ravens dictate the pace of the game,” noted a Ravens-focused preview. The plan worked to perfection. The Packers’ inability to sustain drives and the Ravens’ commitment to stacking the box left Jacobs with little room to maneuver. Even when he did touch the ball, the results were frustrating. On Green Bay’s first drive of the second half, Jacobs had three touches for just one yard—two carries and a catch where he slipped and barely made it back to the line of scrimmage. “Just a nightmare showing for Jacobs,” The Sporting News lamented.
It’s been a season of highs and lows for Jacobs. Just a week prior, he rushed for 36 yards on 12 carries in an overtime loss to the Bears, losing a crucial fumble on first-and-goal. Reflecting on his absence late in that game, Jacobs explained, “I got hit a few plays before that on the fourth-and-1 on the knee, so it was kind of stiffening up, so it’s a collective decision.” Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich was unequivocal about Jacobs’ value, stating, “I’m never not going to want Josh Jacobs in the game ever, so if that answers your question.”
Despite his injury woes, Jacobs’ production this season has been impressive, tallying 926 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 230 carries. He’s also contributed 35 receptions for 282 yards and a touchdown—numbers that underscore his versatility and importance to the Packers’ offense. But as Jacobs himself admitted, “It’s unfortunate because I just keep getting hit on it. It’s not like I’m coming out of these games clean and actually giving it, like, a little bit of time. It’s like either once or twice a game I get hit right up on the spot, and, obviously, I got it overly padded up and things like that. But football is still football.”
Green Bay’s injury concerns extended beyond Jacobs. With Love ruled out and Willis starting, the Packers had to prepare for all contingencies. In a quirky twist, Jacobs was even ready to serve as an emergency quarterback if needed. “We kind of went over it just in case,” Jacobs revealed, “especially when a lot of guys started getting sick around here and stuff like that. So yeah, they let me showcase some things… Even the thought of that, I’m like, ‘Yeah, it would be really fun.’”
On the other side, the Ravens were dealing with their own quarterback uncertainty, as Lamar Jackson was listed as doubtful with an illness. Both teams entered the game with playoff implications on the line. The Packers had already clinched a postseason berth thanks to a Lions loss but were still chasing the NFC North title. For that, they needed to win out and hope for some help from the Bears’ opponents.
Historically, Green Bay has had the upper hand in this matchup, leading the all-time regular season series 5-2 and averaging more points and yards per game than Baltimore. Yet, history offered little comfort as the Packers’ offense sputtered and Jacobs found himself bottled up by a determined Ravens defense. The atmosphere at Lambeau was tense, with both teams eager to rebound from recent losses and overcome mounting injuries.
As the fourth quarter ticked away, Jacobs remained stuck on four carries for three yards and one catch for zero yards—a stat line that belied his usual impact. The night belonged to the Ravens’ defense and their relentless pursuit of the Packers’ star back. While the game was still ongoing and the outcome undecided, one thing was certain: Josh Jacobs and the Green Bay Packers faced an uphill battle, and the Ravens had executed their game plan to near perfection.
With playoff seeding and pride on the line, both teams will look to regroup and adjust as the regular season draws to a close. For Jacobs, the hope remains that better days—and healthier legs—are just around the corner.
