Packers Star Makes Surprise Admission on Critical Week 10 Mistake

(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 10: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball for a 6 yard touchdown against Nolan Smith Jr. #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in the game at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

There was ample frustration in the wake of the Packers‘ 10-7 loss to the Eagles on Monday night, a game in which the defense dominated but the offense sputtered with repeated bouts of ineptitude. The teams were, statistically, evenly matched on the night, but the two Packers turnovers (to just one for the Eagles) proved to be costly–especially the final turnover by Josh Jacobs.

That was, it turned out, one of the uglier plays of the season for the offense, as the team lined up for a fourth-and-1 from its own 44-yard line with 1:26 to play and one big chance to tie or take the lead on the line. The play was doomed from the beginning. Not only did the Packers line up in an illegal formation, but when quarterback Jordan Love called out the play at the line, the Eagles reacted–pointing out exactly where Jacobs was supposed to go.

“Fourth-and-1, they called out our play,” Jacobs said. “We ran it four times, they called it out.”

Packers Were a Mess on Critical Fumble Play

The result was predictable. Jacobs was stuffed behind the line, made a vain attempt to lateral to Love and the Eagles took over.

“We got a good draw, a push, the clock was going down, we kinda snapped it fast, faster than we wanted to and they made a play,” Jacobs said. “I tried to pitch the ball back to Jordan, that’s where the fumble came. At that point, you’re kinda playing backyard football.”

The outcome of the play was worrisome, but the very fact that the Eagles knew what the Packers were doing all along speaks to a wider issue about the quality and variety of coach Matt LaFleur’s plays.

Josh Jacobs Not Happy Eagles Knew Packers Play

LaFleur’s job security with a disappointing team that is expected to compete for a Super Bowl was a hot topic after the game, and when it comes to his shortcomings, the fourth-down flop was Exhibit A. The Packers are obviously not going to fire LaFleur midseason, but perhaps a change in play-calling duties is in order.

Jacobs certainly doesn’t want to be in a position in which the defense knows where he is going to be before the ball is snapped.

“As a runner it don’t never feel good,” he said. “Whenever they know what we doing it don’t ever feel good because it changes my mind on how I am going to run the ball if I am being honest. It makes me kind of guess what I am going to do. Obviously, people are smart, if we got code words and you hear it a few times, like, you’re gonna eventually react to it. That’s football, but yeah, it’s never a good feeling.

“They called it out. We called our play, they said, ‘Inside zone, it’s coming right here.’ So I kinda like didn’t want to run right there, you know?  But that’s kinda how it played out.”

Josh Jacobs: ‘The Game Is Messy’

While the offense as a whole has been on a downswing, the Packers running game remains a mystery. The team has 1,007 yards on the ground, 20th in the NFL, after ranking as the No. 5 rushing attack last season, with 2,496 yards.

Jacobs said a turnaround is a matter of cleaning up the “messes.”

“Not making any excuses,” he said. “We’ve got to clean up the work. A lot of the game is messy, especially after creating good plays, we just got to be more consistent. Our defense held them down, stopped them real good, played like a championship defense. Offense, that’s on us. We gotta pick it up.”

Joe Burrow’s Potential Return Date Revealed

The Cincinnati Bengals have been without superstar quarterback Joe Burrow since September 14th, 2025. Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury that day against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This led to Burrow being moved to the injured reserve list.

On Monday, November 10th, the signal caller returned to practice in a limited capacity. This started the 21-day window for the Bengals to decide if he can return to action this season whatsoever.

Potential Return Date For Joe Burrow Has Been Revealed

GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts with Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

NFL on CBS Sports’ John Breech chimed in on the matter of the timing of Burrow’s potential return to the football field. He mentions the Bengals’ Thanksgiving Day matchup in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens:

“This is the game you should circle on your calendar, because this is the game Burrow appears to be targeting for a possible return. This AFC North showdown is being played on Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and based on what Burrow had to say on Monday, he would really like to be on the field. The Bengals QB gave a one-word answer when asked how meaningful it would be for him to return against the Ravens in this prime time game.

‘Very,’ Burrow said.”

NFL on CBS Sports’ John Breech on Joe Burrow potentially returning on Thanksgiving Day against the Baltimore Ravens

Joe Burrow returning against the Baltimore Ravens would obviously be a huge deal. It’s hard to disagree with Breech’s sentiment about it being “must-see TV” if this is the case. A Thanksgiving Day AFC North showdown between Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow has all the ingredients to be absolutely electric.

Another Potential Return Date

GettyJoe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates a touchdown with Ja’Marr Chase #1 and Tee Higgins #5 against the New York Giants.

Breech brings up another possible return date if Burrow’s toe isn’t ready for a Thanksgiving meal with their heated-rival Baltimore Ravens:

“If Burrow isn’t feeling comfortable enough to return in Week 13 against the Ravens, he could hold off one week and return against the Bills on Dec. 7. In this instance, the Bengals could use their full 21-day practice window and then activate Burrow on Dec. 1, which would be the week of this game.”

This would also make sense. If the toe isn’t ready to go, a mini-bye week to get to Week 14 could very much be utilized for Burrow’s recovery. He will be returning in a major spot either way. A return against Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen during the playoff push is quite the time to make a return.

The Bengals have to stay afloat regardless if they want it to matter if Burrow returns. Burrow himself commented on this:

“Our division is wide open. Pittsburgh is 5-4 and we play them this week. Everything is still there in front of us. It’s very rare that our division looks like this, but it does this year. And so I think we’ll be at least in it until the end.”

Joe Burrow on the Bengals staying alive in the playoff race until his return

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