The Green Bay Packers are rolling. After a gritty 28-21 win over the rival Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field, they’ve now won four straight and sit atop the NFC North. But the road ahead gets steeper-and fast.
Next up? A Week 15 showdown with the AFC’s hottest team, the Denver Broncos, who are riding a 10-game win streak and holding down the No. 1 seed in the conference at 11-2.
Denver hasn’t lost at home in over a year, stretching their Mile High dominance to 11 straight wins going back to last season. For Matt LaFleur and this young Packers squad, this isn’t just another game-it’s arguably their biggest test of the season.
And, depending on how the playoff picture shakes out, it might even be an early preview of Super Bowl 60.
But Green Bay isn’t heading into this heavyweight bout at full strength.
The biggest question mark? Running back Josh Jacobs, who’s been battling swelling in his left knee since injuring it in Week 11 against the Giants. That same knee sidelined him for the Packers’ Week 12 clash with the Vikings, and while he returned to action last week versus Chicago, he didn’t come out of it unscathed.
Jacobs experienced enough discomfort to warrant an MRI on Monday. The good news: it came back clean.
Still, he missed both Wednesday and Thursday practices, which raised some concern. He returned Friday in a limited capacity, and while the team has kept things close to the vest, reports indicate Jacobs is expected to play on Sunday despite being officially listed as questionable.
That’s a major boost for Green Bay, especially considering backup Emanuel Wilson was a late addition to the injury report with an illness and is now a game-time decision. With both Jacobs and Wilson not at full strength, the Packers elevated Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad to provide depth.
If Jacobs does suit up, he’ll be facing a familiar foe in the Broncos-albeit for the first time in a Packers uniform.
Jacobs spent the first five years of his career in the AFC West with the Raiders, and he’s had more than his share of success against Denver. In eight career games against the Broncos, he topped 100 rushing yards four times, averaged 96.1 yards per game, and found the end zone nine times-including twice in his NFL debut back in 2019.
That kind of production would be a dream scenario for Green Bay, especially against a Denver defense that’s been stingy against the run all season, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards in the league. If Jacobs can tap into that old AFC West magic, it could be the difference between a statement win and a missed opportunity.
Kickoff for this marquee matchup is set for 4:25 p.m. ET / 1:25 p.m.
PT at Empower Field at Mile High. With playoff positioning on the line and two surging teams on a collision course, this one has all the makings of a December classic.