Aaron Jones May Be Packers Only Hope Against Bills

We’ve heard for weeks now that the Packers need to get him more involved. And yet Green Bay has still failed to feature Aaron Jones as their offense has stumbled along through their current three game losing streak. But with injuries piling up at receiver, Matt LaFleur may have no choice Sunday night against Buffalo. With Randall Cobb on IR, Sammy Watkins and Christian Watson both limited with hamstring injuries, and Allen Lazard nursing a shoulder injury – the options are pretty limited. Jones is undoubtedly the Packers most talented skill player, anyway, so the choice for LaFleur should be an easy one.

The most frustrating thing with Jones’ useage so far this season is we’ve already seen what he’s capable of doing. Perhaps no game was more evident of this that Week 8 of the 2019 season against the Chiefs. Without Davante Adams, LaFleur deployed Jones all over the field. Whether it was on the ground, running Texas routes from the backfield, as the jet motion man, or running a sluggo split out wide – any way the Packers could get Jones in space, they did.

We just haven’t seen the same creativity in 2022. And it’s not like Jones has been ineffective when given the chance. He is still averaging 5.5 yards per carry this season. But he’s received a total of 17 carries over the last two games. Last week was the first time he received more than 5 targets in the passing game, and he responded with 9 catches, with two of those going for the Packers two offensive TDs for the day.

What may be even more crucial for Green Bay is keeping Josh Allen off of the field. It’s the same strategy that teams have used against Rodgers and the Packers. But Allen and the Bills have the #1 passing offense by DVOA, and are 2nd in the NFL in points per game. During their 3 game losing streak, the Packers are 31st in time of possession. That will happen when you don’t convert a single third or fourth down. That will have to change for the Packers to have a chance against Buffalo, and Jones may be the key to that.

Jared is a rogue Packers fan from a Steelers family and an overall football junkie, including playing 4 years at Ithaca College. You can follow him on twitter at @JPrugar.

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