GREEN BAY – This must be prefaced by saying the Packers' offensive line had an outstanding day as RB Josh Jacobs posted 134 yards from scrimmage (78 rushing, 56 receiving) in the win over the Bears.
So in focusing on the perimeter blocking that helped Jacobs, that's not to diminish the work of the starting five up front. Kudos to them.
But the blocking of the receivers and the tight ends on Jacobs' behalf in Chicago was just darn fun to watch. Here's a rundown.
Play No. 1: Second-and-9 from the Green Bay 31, first quarter, 14:22 left
Result: 10-yard run by Jacobs
On the Packers' second snap of the game, the run isn't designed to go outside, but Jacobs bounces it. Thankfully, WR Romeo Doubs (87) is already blocking CB Tyrique Stevenson (29) in case the option to throw to WR Christian Watson (9) is chosen. Because Watson has to wait a beat to make sure a pass isn't coming his way, he's just a tick late getting to DB Kevin Byard III (31) or Jacobs might've busted a big one.
Play No. 2: First-and-10 from the Chicago 42, first quarter, 12:58 left
Result: 8-yard run by Jacobs
Three snaps later, it's TE Tucker Kraft (85) getting the block on the edge, as he sifts across to take on DL Darrell Taylor (52) to give Jacobs a seam.
Play No. 3: Second-and-2 from the Chicago 34, first quarter, 12:19 left
Result: 6-yard run by Jacobs
Very next play, it's WR Dontayvion Wicks joining Kraft with a key perimeter block, as he picks off DB Elijah Hicks (22) while Kraft is sealing the edge against DL DeMarcus Walker (95). Jacobs now has 24 yards on his last three carries.
Play No. 4: First-and-10 from the Chicago 48, second quarter, 9:49 left
Result: 23-yard completion to Jacobs
As Jacobs carries out the play fake and finds open space to the right for the pass, WR Jayden Reed (11) comes all the way across the field to throw a block. Or more accurately, run interference on LB T.J. Edwards (53), as Reed smartly turns his back to Edwards and raises his arms to avoid an illegal blindside block. Getting one's backside in the way of a defender there is not illegal, but if he had taken Edwards head on, a flag would've flown. Reed continues to demonstrate his innocence all the way through the finish.
Play No. 5: First-and-10 from the Green Bay 14, second quarter, 7:32 left
Result: 9-yard run by Jacobs
Three snaps later, back to the ground with Jacobs, and the Packers have two tight ends, Kraft and Ben Sims (89), to Jacobs' right. As the O-line creates one side of the lane, the tight ends handle the other, as Sims locks up DL Montez Sweat (98) and Kraft turns and takes care of DB Kyler Gordon (6). Jacobs cuts right off of Kraft's backside, and the two tight ends share a congratulatory high five.
Play No. 6: Second-and-7 from the Green Bay 33, third quarter, 9:41 left
Result: 21-yard completion to Jacobs
Nothing fancy here, just good work by Sims, who starts with a chip block on Sweat and then heads out to lead the way for Jacobs. Because all the other routes have cleared out the near side of the field, Sims has just one guy to block, Gordon. He does the job so Jacobs can get up the sideline, and Sims deservedly signals the first down.
Play No. 7: First-and-goal from the Chicago 7, third quarter, 6:38 left
Result: 7-yard TD run by Jacobs
This is very similar to Play No. 5 above, except instead of a second tight end next to Kraft, there are two receivers. But it's once again Kraft's block that is key, as he handles DL Austin Booker (94), who ends up flailing helplessly on the ground while Jacobs bursts through a lane the O-line has walled off to his left.
Play No. 8: Second-and-2 from the Green Bay 32, fourth quarter, 15:00 left
Result: 12-yard run by Jacobs
Opening play of the fourth quarter, which is similar to Play No. 2 above, as Kraft sifts across to throw a cut block on Sweat, with the addition of Doubs getting downfield against Byard while the O-line is simply plowing front-line defenders several yards backwards.
It's worth noting that all the perimeter blockers highlighted here – Doubs, Kraft, Wicks, Reed and Sims – had a grand total of six passes thrown their way in this game, with three receptions. They were busting their behinds as blockers despite not being very involved in the passing game, which says something about them as players.
Bonus play: Second-and-6 from the Green Bay 26, fourth quarter, 3:40 left
Result: 60-yard completion to Watson
Just to show that Jacobs can return the favor in the blocking department when called upon, check out his blitz pickup of Edwards on the Watson catch-and-run that sets up the go-ahead TD. Blocking the blitzer allows just enough time for Love to get the pass off to Watson before taking a hit from DL Gervon Dexter Sr. (99).
