Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions: Five on the Spot

Aaron Jones

Despite starting the year buried on the depth chart, the explosive ball carrier is outperforming an impressive group of fellow rookie running backs (see Kareen Hunt, Leonard Fournette, et. al.) on a per-carry basis as evidenced by his 5.6-yard average.

But it’s one thing to put up numbers with arguably one of the 10 best quarterbacks of all time behind center as opposed to lining up behind a green-as-grass Brett Hundley, who has attempted all of 69 passes in three years at the pro level.

The electrifying Jones passed the test in Hundley’s first start by pounding out 131 yards on the ground, 62 of which were earned after contact, against a Saints’ defense keying the run.

The Packers will likely need an encore showing by Jones in light of the coaching staff’s apparent lack of faith in their new signal caller, who still flashes bouts of inaccuracy that were visible in the preseason.

What’s more, with so much uncertainty surrounding the passing game, Green Bay’s best formula for success will most likely be to win ugly.

Dictating the game flow on their home turf by establishing the run will not only keep Detroit’s offense off the field, but afford Hundley more favorable passing situations against eight and nine-man boxes.

Creating play-action opportunities in which the mobile triggerman could step into throws from a clean pocket would do wonders for his confidence.

Successful running teams typically stick with the run (the Kansas City Chiefs immediately come to mind) even if the opposition jumps out to an early 3-to-7-point lead. All eyes will be on Mike McCarthy as his patience will be tested in this one.