Aaron Jones Will Play a Key Role for the Packers Against Dallas
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers won their final three games of the season to qualify for the playoffs. One of the key reasons for that winning streak was the return of a healthy Aaron Jones.
Jones went on a tear for the Packers, gaining 358 rushing yards in those three games and catching seven passes for another 48 yards. He rushed for an average of 5.7-yards per carry. The Packers offense scored 33 points in the first two of those games and gained more than 400 yards in the final two. A healthy Jones was a big reason for the offense’s success.
Jones’ ability to change directions and break off long runs changes the way defenses have to prepare for the Green Bay offense. His receiving ability gives the team another weapon in the passing game as well. When Jones is playing well, he creates opportunities not just for himself but for the other players in the Green Bay offense.
Jones has been a key to the team’s success since joining the Packers in 2017. When the running back has 20-or-more touches this season, the Packers are 4-0. In his career, when he touched the ball 20 times or more in a game, the Packers are 22-3. When he rushes for 100 yards in a game, the Packers are 18-2.
Jones has had particular success against the Cowboys. The former UTEP has played three games against Dallas. He gained 125 yards and scored a touchdown in his first game against the Cowboys, a 35-31 Packers win in Dallas.
The second meeting came in 2019 when Jones gained 107 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns while also catching seven passes for 75 yards. The four- touchdown performance was a classic and helped the Packers beat the Cowboys in Dallas 34-24.
Then, last season, Jones gained 138 yards and scored a touchdown in the Packers 31-28 win over Dallas at Lambeau Field.
The Packers star running back admitted that he has extra inspiration when facing the Cowboys. “Just going back home,” Jones explained. “It was my childhood team growing up. And then back home in El Paso there’s a lot of Cowboys fans. I like to walk the streets with some peace of mind, not worrying about having to hear them talk. I feel like that’s the biggest thing.”
While Jones has excelled against the Cowboys, he has also struggled in playoff games in recent years. He has never gained 100 yards or more rushing in a playoff game. In the Packers loss to the 49ers in the 2021 playoffs, he ran just 12 times for 41 yards on a frozen field.
In 2020, he had a key fumble in the NFC Championship Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones carried only six times for 27 yards and caught four passes for seven yards. He suffered an injury in that game that caused him to leave early.
Jones endured a frustrating 2023 season. Injuries forced him to miss six games. He was on a play count or limited in most of the other games he played this season. The result was a 142 carry, 656-yard campaign after he gained 1,121 yards in 2022.
Jones admitted this was a difficult season for him, saying it was “Definitely tough. A lot of time spent just trying to get your body back right. Long hours spent into it, weeks on weeks on weeks, and you get to a point where you start to question yourself. But when things get tough, that’s when it really shows who you are as a person. Just continue to work through that, fight through that. I showed up every day and was here for my teammates, tried to cheer them on, be whatever they needed me to be and continued to work to get better every day. I feel like I did that, stacked those days and it’s showing.”
The Packers will need Jones to shine if they have realistic hopes of upsetting the Cowboys and continuing their season. Jones also realizes his future with the team is up in the air because of his age (29) and high cap hit for 2024.
But right now, the biggest thing is getting ready to face the team he grew up rooting for in a playoff game. The challenge awaits Jones and the Packers. The team’s top runner will certainly be ready.
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You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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Comments (41)
Since'75
January 13, 2024 at 11:37 am
PSA: Be careful not to disagree with a author's article.
You are not allowed to do your own critical thing or your comments will be removed even if no foul language is used.
How to NOT be censored here at CHTV....
1) Always agree with everyone.
2) If you have a differing opinion, keep it to yourself.
3) Want to do your own thinking?....Knock it off!!
4) Never say anything negative about the Packers, even if it's true.
5) Do not type anything intelligent if it is not first approved by CHTV for published content.
6) Just because you live in America......
7) If a comment in any way, shape, or form, might upset anyone, anywhere, do NOT submit, it isn't allowed.
8) Before you spend 15,20 minutes writing a comment, know that your time invested can be deleted in a push of a button. Your time might be valuable, just not here.
NickPerry
January 13, 2024 at 12:04 pm
What are you talking about? Clearly someone pissed you off but what I want to know is who and why let ANYONE get you this upset on free site where EVERYBODY has an opinion?
Maybe you already know but this is the BEST Packers site out there IMO and it's FREE. Personally I think NO ONE should bitch about anything when it's FREE but maybe that's my hangup.
I subscribe to The Athletic, PFF, and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I spend my money to be able to view their content yet CHTV is still the first site I visit everyday when it comes to the GBP!
Take a breath, exhale, and just enjoy the moment. Win, Lose, or Draw, this year has been a blast. Don't let these knuckleheads get you going!
PackerBO
January 13, 2024 at 01:10 pm
Well said Nick
Since'75
January 13, 2024 at 01:23 pm
How to NOT be censored here at CHTV....
1) Always agree with everyone.
Coldworld
January 14, 2024 at 08:46 am
I’ve been here for years and never shy of disagreeing with authors or commentators. I Just don’t recognize the reality you depict.
Since'75
January 13, 2024 at 01:16 pm
"What are you talking about? " Nick Perry
I'm talking about censorship, i thought i clearly explained it.
If your still confused, i could help you to understand what that is if you'd like.
Because it's a free site, you feel like no one can complain about anything?
Maybe, that explains why you are confused.
Yes Nick...everyone has an opinion....until the site removes (censors) it.
******************
The "knuckleheads" you are referring to, is this website who are censoring my comments.
The same site you deem the greatest site around.
You seem confused.
bottlefliper
January 13, 2024 at 02:50 pm
Like always, they to good for you here.....you poor, weak, not so smart victim. You belong perfect to the Jets, not to the PACKERS
NickPerry
January 13, 2024 at 04:27 pm
There's NOTHING clear about what you're posting but since "I'm so confused" I'll just kick back here confused while you dribble this mindless BULLSHIT!
BTW...I've been posting here for over 10 years IIRC and I've never had any one of my comments removed or censored. Granted, I've only made 7150 comments including this one.
BUT...If Al took it down you must have REALLY said something stupid. Remember, when you point a finger at someone else you always have 3 pointing right back at yourself.
Guam
January 14, 2024 at 08:40 am
Perfect response Nick! Like you I have been posting for at least 10 years and have never had a comment removed despite posting several thousand comments (although not as many as you!). Common sense and simple human decency are always appropriate.
NickPerry
January 15, 2024 at 06:28 am
Thank you Guam!
Bitternotsour
January 13, 2024 at 12:57 pm
or, you could just be prepared to be mocked for your inane viewpoint.
Since'75
January 13, 2024 at 01:19 pm
Censorship isn't being mocked....lol
Know the difference.
Is there an IQ requirement here?...Holy S
I do enjoy reading your post how you mock others though, and i'm looking forward to the day you have something intelligent to say.
Thank you for understanding.
Bitternotsour
January 13, 2024 at 01:13 pm
Also, you have 6 posts listed in the last 24 hours, all of them trolling packer fans and the team. You're butt-hurt because you aren't allowed to personally insult fans? You must be like 15 years old and REALLY unpopular. Maybe home schooled?
Go outside. Go for a walk. Reflect on your need to be such a negative presence online. Maybe take a day off of the computer, better yet, a week.
Since'75
January 13, 2024 at 01:27 pm
Trolling huh?...lol
Ahhh bitter, you must be...14 1/2........oohhh BURN!!....lol
*****************
"Also, you have 6 posts listed in the last 24 hours, all of them trolling packer fans and the team."
Checking up on me?....lol. Anything i said untruthful?
Maybe you need to go for a walk, you seem to have the time.
Tell ya what....go cry to Nags, and tell him to ban me for "trolling". If he doesn't listen to ya, go tell your problems to Jesus, maybe he cares, i don't.
bottlefliper
January 13, 2024 at 02:52 pm
yeah, homeschooled in TX, they are terrible in education there as well
bottlefliper
January 13, 2024 at 02:47 pm
They kept you BS post here since forever, but you guys like to feeling as a weak victim and in the end thats all you are.
Go to the Ivermetin junky, he feels as victim since he is alife, with all the M he got paid for his fear. Put your orange crybabie stuff to FOX.
We are The Packers and we are America....AMERCAS TEAM......and it was alway Green and Gold without any fear. Not orange and afraid of everything
Packerpasty
January 14, 2024 at 01:48 pm
hmmm...ive said some dumb things and some smart things and most definitely dont always agree with the "homers" and ive never been censored....that I know of...it is mostly a homer website...almost cult like sometimes but dont be afraid of a few "thumbs down"...theyre just a bunch of people who no one up in the offices at Lambeau listens to anyway...
NickPerry
January 13, 2024 at 11:51 am
You know it's just not rocket science... GIVE Aaron Jones the ball and your chances at winning the game improve...A LOT. I mean seriously, how MANY damn times do we need to even mention it. Why get cute and get AWAY from giving the rock to Jones.
I know this will sound ridiculous but do you get cute when eating your Wheaties in the morning and use water instead of Milk? IMO it's just that damn simple.
The Packers NEED to be able to run the ball. They NEED to run it straight at #11 Micah Parsons, and they need to KEEP doing it. IF they do that they have a shot.
I've treated this playoff game like it's all gravy. IMO this season has been an enormous success no matter what happens Sunday. Win, lose, or draw, it's ALL good.
But on Sunday night if I'm looking at a stat line where Jones had 8 rushing attempts and maybe 4 passes thrown to him and MLF is once AGAIN babbling about how it's his fault, he's got to do a better job at his press conference, I may just lose it.
NOT because the Packers lost the game. Nope, it will be because I've heard that bullshit too many times already. GO DOWN swinging with your best handling the ball. Now lets handle business so I can see that stupid look on Jerry Jones face when he loses.
Tundraboy
January 13, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Thanks NP for always getting right to the point. Jones, Reed and Kraft in heavy doses along with all the rest. GPG. Hello Dallas!
NickPerry
January 13, 2024 at 04:11 pm
Thanks TB...Let's DO this!
Tundraboy
January 13, 2024 at 11:26 pm
Yes On to The Game. Can't wait.
PackEyedOptimist
January 13, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Nick, I kinda like the idea of running Tucker Kraft as a blocker at Parsons over and over again.
NickPerry
January 13, 2024 at 04:15 pm
I do too Packeyed... Teams who have has success against the Cowboys have all run the ball. MLF can't abandon the run this time. I like the idea of Kraft leading the way as a lead blocker.
Bure9620
January 13, 2024 at 12:33 pm
The run game solves everything. The middle of the Cowboys defense is not impressive. Jones needs a minimum of 20 carries. Parsons is the best pass rusher in the game, however I don't think he is special defending the run. Run the ball. Run it right at Parsons and their very small middle linebacker. If Jones goes over 100, we can win this game.
jannesbjornson
January 13, 2024 at 02:18 pm
Beware of Demarcus Lawrence, you cannot double both guys. This will be LaFleur's biggest legacy game to date...
Bure9620
January 13, 2024 at 03:39 pm
I was not really advocating for double teams..... I was advocating for running the football.
splitpea1
January 13, 2024 at 12:33 pm
I think Jones maybe deserves a little bit more credit in the playoffs. He did rush for 99 yards against the Rams in 2020, and he had a big receiving game against SF in the 2021 playoffs--including the 75-yarder that should have produced points if our FG protection unit had been able to do its job. As for the fumble against TB, it happens to the best of them, especially when you're going up against the #1 rushing defense.
Unrelated side note: Shame on the NFL for only making tonight's Chiefs--Dolphins game available on Peacock. Oh well, looks like I wont get to watch everybody freeze their asses off...
But at least it's not our game.
Bitternotsour
January 13, 2024 at 01:01 pm
Peacock costs $5.95 a month and you get the premier league and some decent regular entertainment (including the movie The Holdovers). You could also probably avail yourself of a one time free month, so honestly, what's the problem?
LeotisHarris
January 13, 2024 at 02:58 pm
I'm with spiltpea. Cast the shame far and wide on the latest greedy act by the NFL. My $6 stays in my pocket. Stickin' it to The Man, baby! Goodell will be eating instant ramen noodles thanks to me.
Tundraboy
January 13, 2024 at 11:27 pm
Begins with a K $0
splitpea1
January 13, 2024 at 03:21 pm
Three problems: 1) I'm not rewarding the NFL/Peacock for such behavior, 2) I have to remember to cancel the free trial, and 3) I would rather watch paint dry than watch the Premier League--seriously.
ChrisD
January 13, 2024 at 04:08 pm
The problem is the NFL’s greediness in the face of the fans that make it all go.
Starrbrite
January 13, 2024 at 11:23 pm
The Peacock tax is ridiculous. I’m already paying for the NFL ticket on YouTube…soon we’ll have to pay to watch the pregame shows.
PackEyedOptimist
January 13, 2024 at 12:48 pm
There have been games where Jones has been shut down by defenses, leading to less carries for him, but it’s hard to imagine that happening with this offense. The opponent can’t sell out to stop the “Jones and Tae show” that ran under Rodgers. I could see guys like Melton and other “fourth choices” making big plays.
Packers0808
January 13, 2024 at 01:06 pm
To change the subject for a quick second, any one know status of Alexander for tomorrow?
LeotisHarris
January 13, 2024 at 01:46 pm
https://www.packers.com/news/packers-cowboys-injury-report-jan-12-2024
Packers0808
January 13, 2024 at 01:58 pm
Yup saw that was I was wondering updates today as yet. Thanks Though!
ChrisD
January 13, 2024 at 04:10 pm
Lafleur said about a couple guys they’d be legit game-time decisions.
LambeauPlain
January 13, 2024 at 02:24 pm
I am expecting a heavy dose of 12 personnel to help the run game with two dangerous receivers with Luke and Tucker.
Musgrave doesn't block like Kraft but AJ doesn't need much of a crease because he gets so skinny and his quickness, balance is sublime. He gets so many yards on his own...block for him and he won't let you down.
Listening to Mike Wahl, he said AJ needs to get 20 touches minimum and the passing game will be available to Love and his young. Dallas crowds the box with 6 consistently and almost dares the opponent to pass. Quinn has his guys playing arrogantly but AJ and his blockers need to make them humble early and force then out of their hubris.
marpag1
January 13, 2024 at 03:08 pm
I always suspected that our starting running back might play a key role for the team. Good to know that I was right.
ChrisD
January 13, 2024 at 04:15 pm
Hahaha. That’s funny. I’m assuming it was intended to be. Because until the last few games, all you could do was assume because of injury and usage.