Raiders News: Josh McDaniels Calls Josh Jacobs ‘One Of The Best Runners’ He’s Been Around

The Las Vegas Raiders’ season was basically on the line in their Week 4 contest against the Denver Broncos. If the team fell to 0-4, it would be nearly impossible for them to make a playoff run. Thankfully, the Raiders were finally able to get in the win column, and it came on the back of running back Josh Jacobs.

The Raiders’ lead back had a career day with 144 yards and 2 touchdowns on 28 carries. Jacobs had not eclipsed 19 carries in the first three weeks of the season, so this was obviously an emphasis for head coach Josh McDaniels coming into the week, and he had nothing but praise for Jacobs following the contest.

According to Marc Inabinett of AL.com, McDaniels called Jacobs one of the best runners the Raiders coach has ever been around:

“He’s one of the best runners that I’ve ever been around,” Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said. “Take that for what it’s worth. I’ve been around some good ones. He has a great ability to make yards after contact. He has a great ability to make yards even if there’s not a lot there right away.”

Jacobs also added another 31 yards on 5 catches as he was truly the focal point for the Raiders offense on this day, including when it mattered most. After the Broncos cut the Raiders’ lead to just 2 points with 7 minutes remaining, Jacobs went to the offense and made sure they knew they needed to deliver:

“When it came to the end of the game, I knew we had another possession where we would need to get a first down and do whatever we do,” Jacobs said, “and I just went over there and talked to the guys. I’m like, ‘This is what we do. We ask for this.’ The last few weeks we’d been in this same position and it didn’t go how we wanted it to. It felt good to come together as a unit and accomplish the goal that we set out to do.”

The Raiders responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped off by Jacobs’ second touchdown of the contest to ice the game and give the Raiders their first win of the season. Now the onus will be on McDaniels and the offense to continue this commitment to the run.

With a showdown in Kansas City against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs looming next Monday night, it is almost certainly in the best interest of the Raiders to keep pounding away with Jacobs and keep that Chiefs offense off the field.