Running back Josh Jacobs could carry the Packers to victory

By GERY WOELFEL

It’s been a frustrating and disappointing season for Josh Jacobs.

But that could dramatically change Saturday night when he and his Green Bay Packers teammates take on the Chicago Bears in an NFC wild-card playoff game in Chicago.

Jacobs, the Green Bay Packers talented running back, has been plagued by injuries this season and it’s vividly reflected in his production.

Jacobs rushed for 958 yards in 15 games this season, ranking 20th overall in that category in the NFL. Last season, in 17 games, Jacobs gained 1,329 yards — or 371 yards more than the previous season — to rank sixth overall among NFL rushers.

But Jacobs told the media earlier this week he’s feeling great physically and hasn’t been this healthy in more than a month. It goes without saying a healthy Jacobs would give the Packers’ offense a gigantic boost.

And there’s no reason to believe Jacobs can’t do that, especially considering the Bears’ run defense is horrible. The Bears have surrendered 134.5 rushing yards per game.

Of the NFL’s 32 teams, only five teams — the Bills, Jets, Commanders, Giants and Bengals — have allowed opponents more rushing yards than the Bears.

In Chicago’s 42-38 loss to San Francisco two weeks ago, the 49ers gashed the Bears defense for 200 yards on the ground.

If Jacobs can draw the attention of the Bears’ defense, it would obviously open up the Packers’ passing game. It would give Packers quarterback Jordan Love a plethora of one-on-one matchups and exploit a mediocre Bears’ suspect secondary.

There are several factors which will determine the outcome ofthis highly-anticipated matchup between the Packers and Bears, but how Jacobs fares could have a direct correlation on how the Packers fare.

WHAT THE ODDSMAKERS ARE SAYING: The Packers are 1.5 point favorites.

GW’S PREDICTION: Packers 27, Bears 20.