The Green Bay Packers have the worst rushing offense in the NFL through six games played. They average a measly 59.8 rushing yards per game, with only 359 total rushing yards achieved headed into Week 7.
A lot of that has to do with them missing Josh Jacobs for this entire year. Jacobs had initially landed on the commissioner's exempt list to begin this year after being charged with multiple felonies in connection with a domestic violence dispute with his partner. Those felonies included charges related to strangulation and suffocation.
However, due to reportedly insufficient evidence, his charges were lowered to misdemeanors, and he was removed from the exempt list. He's been immediately activated to the Packers' roster, with head coach Matt LaFleur saying everyone deserves a second chance...more on that in a moment.
With Jacobs back, the Lions suddenly have a challenge on their hands that no other Packers opponent has dealt with this season.
Jacobs presents challenge to Lions' porous run defense
Aside from issues in coverage this year, the Lions' linebacker room has also struggled to assist the teams' defensive line in containing the run. They have a success rate of just 29 percent on that front, and have had some rough outings against players like James Cook and Chuba Hubbard so far this year.
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Jacobs had 929 total rushing yards last season for the Packers, in addition to 13 total touchdowns. He's far and away their number one option in the backfield in Week 7, but it's unclear how many snaps he will be receiving as it's his first game back. He's also a threat in the air as a receiving target, which could add another wrinkle to the Lions' game planning around him.
Jacobs playing in Week 7 deserves more criticism
There's a difference between fandom, and homerism. If you can earnestly sit there and say that Jacobs, coming off the exempt list for very serious charges and accusations levied against him by his own girlfriend, deserves to suit up as the Packers' RB1, that's homerism.
When Terrion Arnold hit the list following the numerous charges brought against him in connection with a robbery, assualt, and kidnapping, there was no question about it that he should not only no longer be a Lion, but he should not be playing football.
The fact that he's back as if nothing's happened, and that LaFleur is clearly excited by the prospect to the point of raising Jacobs up in his press conference, is a stain on this game.
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