The Green Bay Packers face a massive challenge in Week 15 when they head to Denver to take on the Broncos. They’ll be squaring off against the top seed in the AFC while hoping to extend their winning streak to five games.
The Packers are coming off a huge Week 14 win that vaulted them into the lead in the NFC North. What sealed that game was Josh Jacobs breaking a 21-all tie with a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:32 remaining. He finished with 20 carries for 86 yards and a score. However, Green Bay may be without its former All-Pro running back against Denver.
An injury Jacobs suffered against the New York Giants in Week 11 flared up again after the Bears game. He has since not returned to practice. An MRI on December 8 revealed no structural damage, and Jacobs has been listed as day-to-day.
“Whenever you get swelling in the joints and everything like that, it just gets really stiff,” Jacobs said, per Wes Hodkiewicz. “That’s really the only thing. I came out clean pretty much last week. I didn’t get hit on it or anything like that, but it kind of ballooned up on me a little bit, so they’ve just been letting me work through that.”
Emanuel Wilson Is Ready To Go Again Against Broncos
Normally, losing someone like Josh Jacobs for any length of time would be a major concern. But the Packers may have uncovered an unexpected gem in Emanuel Wilson. The undrafted free agent out of Fort Valley State has rushed for 351 yards and three touchdowns on 88 carries this season. His breakout performance came against the Minnesota Vikings, when he rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns, catching plenty of attention.
That’s the type of production head coach Matt LaFleur would hope to see again if Jacobs is unable to suit up against the Broncos. And Wilson believes he’s ready for another opportunity.
“I still got that mentality to go out there and do it again,” Wilson said. “If (Jacobs) is going, he’s going. If I get my opportunity once again, I’m going to take advantage of it.”
The matchup could carry extra motivation for Wilson. He was signed by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2023 but was waived just three days later. The 26-year-old signed shortly afterward with the Packers and has been with the team ever since.
Broncos Boast Tough Defense Against Packers
Whoever gets the nod at running back will face a difficult challenge. The Broncos boast one of the NFL’s top defenses and are especially known for their pass rush, having recorded 55 sacks this season. They’ve been just as tough against the run.
Denver hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since Jonathan Jacobs in Week 2 and has allowed only four teams to reach 100 rushing yards all season. That performance has helped them rank No. 2 in rushing defense, allowing just 89 yards per game.
Whether it’s Jacobs, Wilson, or a combination of both, this will be an immense test for the Packers’ running game — and the offense as a whole. Green Bay will need a strong game plan to leave Denver with a win.
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