Green Bay Packers Rely on Josh Jacobs to Fix League-Worst Rushing Attack Against Carolina

The Green Bay Packers hold the worst record in the NFC North at 4-3, a position that has complicated their playoff hopes heading into Week 8. On Thursday, they will host the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field in a matchup defined by contrasting defensive vulnerabilities and offensive struggles.

The Packers enter the game as 3.5-point favorites against a Carolina team that currently leads the NFC South. Green Bay’s offense faces a critical test in the running game, which ranks last in the NFL with an average of 2.9 yards per carry. Running back Josh Jacobs made his season debut last week and produced 93 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown, offering a potential solution for a stagnant ground attack.

Carolina’s defense presents a clear target for the Packers’ offense. The Panthers have surrendered a league-high 5.2 yards per carry to opposing runners. In their 43-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Carolina allowed 258 rushing yards and three touchdowns. This defensive weakness could allow Jacobs and the Green Bay backfield to generate volume and control the clock.

Conversely, the Packers’ defense aims to capitalize on the Panthers’ passing struggles. Quarterback Bryce Young has faced pressure on a league-high 44.3 percent of dropbacks when defending against four or fewer rushers. Green Bay’s unit has recorded seven interceptions without blitzing, a strategy that allows them to pressure Young while maintaining coverage against a pass-heavy Carolina offense that has averaged 26.5 points per game.

The Panthers have lost starting right tackle Taylor Moton to a season-ending injury, further straining their offensive line. Young was sacked five times in the recent loss to Tampa Bay and has completed fewer than 55 percent of his passes in three of his last four starts. The Packers, whose defense has ranked second in the league in EPA per play over the last four weeks, aim to prevent a repeat of last year’s 16-13 upset, where Green Bay lost by that margin as 13.5-point favorites.

The game serves as a pivotal contest for both teams’ divisional standings. Green Bay seeks to rebound from a loss to the Detroit Lions last week, while Carolina attempts to maintain its top spot in the NFC South. The outcome will depend on whether the Packers can convert their defensive pressure into turnovers and whether their newly active running back can exploit the Panthers’ porous run defense.