GREEN BAY, Wis. — Josh Jacobs, the Green Bay Packers’ powerhouse running back, turned a stomach-churning day into a performance for the ages during Sunday’s 28-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. Despite battling illness that had him vomiting before and during the game, Jacobs delivered a staggering 150 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, defying physical limitations and cementing his status as a relentless force on the field.
Jacobs woke up feeling under the weather but had a gut feeling—pun intended—that he was destined for greatness. “I told ’em, ‘The last time that I felt that way, I had [approximately] 130 [yards] and two touchdowns,'” Jacobs said post-game, referencing a similar standout performance from his days with the Raiders. He also recalled a two-touchdown effort in the 2018 SEC Championship Game with Alabama, proving that feeling bad often translates to playing exceptionally well for the 27-year-old star.
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The game wasn’t without its messy moments. Mic’d up for the broadcast, Jacobs was caught coughing and struggling on the field, prompting teammates to check on him. “Everybody like, ‘Man, are you all right?’ I’m like, ‘We’ll figure it out,'” he said with a grin, unsure if the footage of his less-than-glamorous moments would make the final cut.
Jacobs’ grit was on full display as he racked up 93 rushing yards on 18 carries, including touchdown runs of 3 and 4 yards, and added 57 yards on five receptions. His performance comes on the heels of a strong showing in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, where he amassed 86 rushing yards—70 in the fourth quarter and overtime—along with two touchdowns and 71 receiving yards. This two-game stretch made Jacobs just the sixth player in Packers history to record at least 150 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in consecutive games, a feat last accomplished by Ahman Green in 2001.
His 74 yards on runs between the tackles, including both touchdowns, marked a season-high, as did his 48 yards after contact. Since joining the Packers in 2024, Jacobs has tallied 21 touchdowns on inside rushes, six more than any other NFL player in that span. His ability to power through defenders while battling illness left teammates in awe. “Josh is everything you need in a teammate and a leader,” said Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. “His relentless effort, the way he practices, it’s just all so contagious.”
The game ball, however, went to kicker Lucas Havrisik, a last-minute replacement for the injured Brandon McManus. Havrisik, who signed with Green Bay just a day earlier and hadn’t kicked in an NFL game since 2023, went 5-for-5, including a crucial 39-yard field goal with 1:52 left to secure a nine-point lead. Jacobs, who admitted he didn’t even know Havrisik’s name, was all praise: “He came in and made some big-time kicks for us. He deserved it.”
Despite his heroics, Jacobs was ready to leave the field—and the vomit—behind. “I’m ready to go lay down,” he said, exhausted but satisfied. His teammates, meanwhile, hope only his work ethic, not his illness, proves contagious as the Packers improve to 3-1-1 and look ahead to their next challenge.
Jacobs’ performance wasn’t just a win for the stat sheet; it was a testament to his resilience, leadership, and ability to turn adversity into triumph. For Packers fans, it was a sickeningly spectacular display they won’t soon forget.