The Denver Broncos are riding a 10-game win streak and eyeing number 11 in what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated showdowns of the season. Standing in their way?
The 9-3-1 Green Bay Packers, a team that’s looked every bit like a Super Bowl contender. And with both squads surging, it’s fair to ask: are we getting a sneak peek at Super Bowl 60?
Sunday's clash has all the ingredients of a heavyweight bout. Denver has the home-field advantage, a slight edge in the health department, and momentum on their side.
But in today’s NFL, where chaos is part of the weekly script, nothing is guaranteed. The Broncos know that better than anyone.
The good news for Denver: they’re getting healthier at the right time. Defensive lineman D.J.
Jones and tight end Nate Adkins are both trending toward returning to the field, providing a boost on both sides of the ball. Guard Ben Powers, meanwhile, appears to be about a week away, but he’s moving in the right direction.
The Packers, on the other hand, might be heading into this one without one of their biggest weapons - and that could be a game-changer.
Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Thursday that star running back Josh Jacobs is likely to miss his second straight day of practice due to a knee issue. While LaFleur didn’t rule Jacobs out, his status is clearly up in the air heading into the weekend.
“He’s been battling through it. We’ll see,” LaFleur said.
Jacobs has been banged up this season and already missed time with injury. Despite that, he’s still managed to produce 817 yards on 206 carries, good for a 4.0-yard average - not quite his career-best, but still effective. He’s also punched in 12 rushing touchdowns, a reminder of how dangerous he is in the red zone.
But where Jacobs has really haunted the Broncos is head-to-head. He’s a perfect 8-0 against Denver in his career, racking up 769 yards and nine touchdowns - that’s just under 100 yards per game, with a nose for the end zone. No team has suffered more at the hands of Jacobs than the Broncos, and they know exactly what he brings to the table.
If Jacobs can’t go, the Packers would likely turn to backup Emanuel Wilson. Wilson has shown flashes this season - 351 yards on 88 carries, also averaging 4.0 yards per attempt - but he’s unproven in a lead-back role, especially in a high-stakes game like this one.
For Denver, a Green Bay offense without Jacobs would be a major swing in their favor. The Broncos’ defense has been stout during their win streak, and not having to account for one of the league’s most physical runners would give them more freedom to attack in other areas.
This matchup already had the feel of a playoff preview, and now the injury report might tilt things even further. If Jacobs is sidelined, the Packers lose their most consistent ground threat - and the Broncos’ path to win number 11 becomes a little clearer.
Still, as we've seen all season, anything can happen. And when two teams this talented collide, every snap matters.