Green Bay Packers: Why they won

Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver

(89) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Green Bay won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Return of James Jones

In the wake of the injury to Jordy Nelson, plenty of us were worried about how the talented-but-mostly-untested group of wide receivers would manage this season.

Randall Cobb is excellent, but he is best as a slot receiver. Davante Adams has shown promise, but is only a second-year player that hasn’t shown consistent game-to-game performance as of yet. Ty Montgomery is explosive, but a rookie. Jeff Janis showed up for two straight preseasons, but still counts as pretty raw and maybe hasn’t gained enough trust to earn game reps despite his outside speed.

Enter James Jones.

Not only does he have previous rapport with Rodgers, but he can work on the outside, which is where most of the other current receiving strength doesn’t.

He showed that off immediately.

It wasn’t a game-breaking performance, but it did not have to be. In his first game back in green and gold, he had 4 catches for 51 yards. Two of those catches were for touchdowns, including a ridiculous one-handed grab.

He may not have the explosiveness of the other options on the roster, but his veteran abilities and timely production is exactly what is needed on the outside to fill the void left by Nelson’s absence.

Next: Stepping it up?