GREEN BAY – Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney came to Green Bay because they wanted to win.
While a tradition of success may have drawn the two to signing with the Packers in March, Green Bay's prized free agents have added their own recipe to the mix, as well.
On Sunday, Jacobs and McKinney continued to do what they've done all season long in leading a 38-10 rout of the San Francisco 49ers in front of 78,222 at Lambeau Field.
Jacobs rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries while McKinney nabbed his seventh interception of the year, the first of three takeaways in which Green Bay generated 21 points.
The win improved the Packers to 8-3 on the year, keeping them in striking distance of Detroit (10-1) and Minnesota (9-2) in the loaded NFC North.
"We didn't talk about both coming here. It kind of just happened," McKinney said. "When we got up here, obviously, we talked, and we were real happy to be back on the same team. I know what he's made of. We're cut from the same cloth so it's fun to be able to be with a guy that I know personally."
Jacobs pushed piles, juked defenders and scored a trio of 1-yard touchdowns to lead a 169-yard day on the ground for Green Bay.
Individually, Jacobs became the first opposing player to rush for 100-plus yards in a regular-season game against San Francisco since Bears QB Justin Fields did so on Oct. 31, 2021. It snapped the 49ers' streak of 54 straight regular-season games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.
Jacobs nearly did it in the first half alone, carrying the ball 19 times for 91 yards and a touchdown in the first two quarters. It allowed Green Bay to dominate the early time of possession, controlling the ball for 20:01 of the first 30 minutes.
He spent a portion of the second half in the locker room due to cramping but added two more 1-yard TD runs in the third quarter, adding to a 5-for-5 day in the red zone for Green Bay.
"I just told 'em, 'Give me the ball,'" said Jacobs with a laugh. "We went in with a great scheme. I think it's going to be a point of emphasis in this building, was trying to be an area to grow in and be better in. So it's good when you know that you've been putting in hard work all week and it's paying off."
McKinney built on Jacobs' early momentum with a massive second half for himself and the defense, beginning with McKinney breaking up a fourth-and-2 pass for Christian McCaffrey.
On the 49ers' next possession, McKinney turned an overthrown quarterback Brandon Allen pass intended for Deebo Samuel into his seventh INT of the year, returning it all the way to the San Francisco 26.
Shortly thereafter, Jacobs punched in the second of his three 1-yard scores.
"That's what I came here to do," said McKinney of his INT. "That's why I was brought in, to be able to make big-time plays when we really need it, so credit to a great call with (defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley). Credit to everybody doing their job and that's just going out there and me being able to make a play."
The game quickly unraveled for the 49ers after McKinney's INT. The fourth quarter began with Lukas Van Ness recording a strip-sack of Allen, which was recovered by defensive lineman Kenny Clark at the San Francisco 16.
After a 15-yard pass to Tucker Kraft, Jacobs bulldozed his way into the end zone one more time for his third and final score of the evening – tying his previous career high.
"They're propelling our franchise," said Clark of McKinney and Jacobs. "They've been doing a great job all year, two great additions to our team. Josh has been doing a helluva job all year. His jump cuts and all that kind of stuff, he's a great back.
"X, he's been lights out all year. He's been great. Yeah, two great additions to our team and two guys we definitely needed."
Asked about his trip to the locker room, Jacobs said "everything" was cramping but he'll "be all right" for the Packers' quick Thanksgiving turnaround against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.
If Jacobs needs to carry the ball 26 more times for his team to win, he's ready to do it. Because that's why he's here.
"I haven't won a lot in my career, and that was a big thing for me when I'm making a decision," Jacobs said.
"Being around these guys and seeing how hungry they are, seeing how much of pros they are on a day-to-day basis and how much it means to them, man, it makes me want to play harder. It makes me want to give everything I have."
