Clash of the Titans: Two of the NFL’s Premier Running Backs will Go Head-to-Head, with Barkley’s 2,005 Rushing Yards Facing Off Against Jacobs’ 1,329 Yards
In what promises to be a hard-hitting slugfest, Sunday’s NFC Wild Card matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers will feature a marquee showdown between two of the NFL’s premier running backs. Saquon Barkley, the NFL rushing champion with 2,005 yards, and Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs, who tallied 1,329 yards and finished sixth in the league, headline a clash that could be decided in the trenches.
“He’s the type of back where maybe some might get 10, 12 yards, and he might go 80 yards,” Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur said of Barkley. The Eagles’ star running back showcased his game-breaking ability throughout the season, recording 17 runs of 20+ yards, including four touchdowns of 65 yards or longer.
Meanwhile, Jacobs serves as the engine of Green Bay’s ground attack. His punishing style sets the tone for the Packers’ offense, helping the team post its most productive rushing season since Ahman Green’s near-record 2003 campaign. Jacobs’ ability to break tackles and gain hard yards will be critical against a Philadelphia defense ranked 10th against the run.
The battle up front will be pivotal. The Eagles’ defensive line, anchored by Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, will face off against a diverse Packers rushing scheme featuring a mix of zone runs, gap plays, and misdirection. Philadelphia’s linebacker corps, led by All-Pro Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean, adds the speed and physicality needed to limit Jacobs’ impact.
The Packers’ defense, ranked seventh in rushing yards allowed (99.4 per game), faces an equally daunting challenge. Packers Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has emerged as a disruptive force, tallying eight tackles for loss in the past four games. Cooper’s presence could be critical in containing Barkley, who dominated Green Bay in their Week 1 meeting in Brazil with 109 rushing yards, 23 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.
The stakes are heightened as the second-seeded Eagles (14-3) host the seventh-seeded Packers (11-6) at Lincoln Financial Field. While both teams boast dynamic rushing attacks, the ability to win the line of scrimmage and maintain defensive discipline against Barkley and Jacobs will likely decide who advances in this old-school playoff clash.
