In his past two games, Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones has run for 247 yards on 41 carries. Coincidentally, the Packers are 2-0 in those games, with wins over the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings. Jones has missed seven games this season with various lower body injuries. But when Jones is in uniform, he shows why he’s a true difference-maker for Green Bay’s offense.
The UTEP product gashed Minnesota’s defense for six yards per carry. Jones looked fresh and explosive, offering something Green Bay’s running backs have lacked all season.
Jones is a truly dynamic running back who is effective in the run-and-pass game. A.J. Dillon and Patrick Taylor, Green Bay’s other options, are more bruising backs who rely on physical strength over finesse.
Dillion has been playing with an injured hand, and Taylor is not terribly effective. Jones has an opportunity to receive a bulk of the carries and be the game-changing running back that he can be.
Good things happen when the Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur feed Jones. Green Bay is 3-0 this season when Jones receives 20 or more carries.
There have been games where LaFleur has shied away from using Jones as much as he should. Jones received five, eight, and seven carries in a trio of early-season losses. That’s unacceptable usage for the former fifth-round pick.
It seems like LaFleur shies away from Jones and the run game when the Packers fall behind, opting to throw the ball more. But Jones opens up the rest of the offense when LaFleur sticks with the run and gets him going. It’s worth the trade off.
Jones can find running lanes even though Green Bay’s offensive line is less effective when run-blocking. His breakaway ability forces the defense to play the run heavier and opens things up for Jordan Love.
Love can also throw the ball to Jones. More so than Dillion and Taylor, Jones can turn screens and checks downs into huge gains. The Packers will usually scheme up a play or two to be a designed pass to Jones to try and get the veteran in open space where he’s especially dangerous.
Dillion is also an effective player, but Jones’ presence allows Dillon to be at his best. The Packers can use Dillion to wear down a defense, and he’s an effective short-yardage back. But Dillion isn’t as versatile as Jones. While Dillion can work in the passing game and as a primary back, you’d rather give the ball to Jones.
That’s why LaFleur has to ride Jones, even when he’s not at his best. Dillion is injured and not at his full capability anyway. There’s no reason that Jones and Dillion should have a similar number of touches in Week 18. Jones is the lead back, and LaFleur has to treat him like one.
Jones is also important to the Packers as a locker room leader. He’s one of the most tenured players on the roster. His unselfish nature rubs off others. After beating Carolina, Jones credited his offensive line and teammates before himself.
“It felt good, especially to see those first two runs go the way they did,” he said. “It was good to be back out there, in that rhythm with my guys, and feeling in the zone. They did a great job of blocking things up front and moving and allowing me to run.”
Jones is among the best in the league at his position. He knows it, too, and reminded the rest of the league in primetime.
“I think I showed that Week 1, I just haven’t been healthy,” Jones said. “I’m finally getting back healthy, and I feel like I showed people, a lot of the doubters saying, ‘Oh, he’s getting too old and blah blah blah.’ It felt good.”
The veteran leader is back to 100% and will need a signature performance against a stingy Chicago Bears defense in Week 18. The Bears have held opposing running backs to limited yards in the past few weeks. Atlanta Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson ran for 75 yards in Week 17. But the Bears held James Conner, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jerome Ford to 131 yards combined on the ground in the past three weeks.
Chicago’s defense has improved dramatically since the last time the Packers played them. The Bears are improved up front, but that should not make LaFleur shy away from featuring Jones.
The Packers are lucky to have a back like Jones. With one week left, if the Packers want to keep playing football games, the answer is simple: Feed Aaron Jones.
All stats and data via ESPN unless otherwise noted.
