Green Bay Packers: Josh Jackson ‘knew play was coming’ on pick-six

Green Bay Packers rookie cornerback Josh Jackson said he knew what play was coming when asked about his pick-six against the Steelers on Thursday night.

Green Bay Packers rookie cornerback Josh Jackson doesn’t seem to lack confidence. His play on the field backs up that sentiment. When asked about his first turnover as a Packer, Jackson responded with the perfect answer.

“It’s film study man, I’ve seen that exact play from watching film,” said Jackson during locker room interviews (via Packers.com). “I knew [the interception] was coming, just by the down and distance.”

Perhaps Jackson knew it was coming, but his interception was no easy task. Unlike Tramon Williams‘ pick-six earlier in the game — where he brought the ball into his stomach with his arms — Jackson had to reach out, snatch the ball with his hands and tip-toe down the sideline for the touchdown. It was the ultimate display of what Jackson was praised for coming out of Iowa: for being a ball hawk.

“I just wanted to make sure I didn’t step out of bounds. I was trying to score. It was my mama’s birthday, so I told her I was going to get one for her,” Jackson added after the game, half-joking around (via Wes Hodkiewicz).

Jackson racked up eight interceptions in 2017 with the Hawkeyes, which led the entire NCAA. Concerns of long speed and man-to-man coverage ability plagued him during the draft process, part of the reason he dropped into the second-round.

For Green Bay, they’ll take it. Jackson has impressed mightily since being drafted, stringing together two consecutive noteworthy performances in Preseason Weeks 1 and 2.

In fact, against Pittsburgh on Thursday night, he allowed a mind-boggling 0.0 passer rating, was targeted three times and allowed zero receptions, per Pro Football Focus. He also recorded his first interception and  touchdown as an NFL player. His performance garnered him a grade of 95.2 from PFF on Twitter.

If Jackson keeps impressing in preseason, it may be hard to keep him out of the starting lineup once the regular season starts. The Packers coaching staff will have some tough decisions regarding playing time. Preseason Week 3 could be huge for Jackson, as he may have earned more time with the first-team after his first two performances.