Packers: Five players to watch vs. Rams in Week 8

2. Aaron Jones

This is not the week for Mike McCarthy to be stubborn and not stick with the hot hand. Jones has proven time and again he is the guy that should carry the load.

I feel like a broken record saying the same thing week after week about Jones. But for the Packers to have a chance in this game, Jones must be used in a featured role. He is averaging 5.9 yards per carry and is slippery in the pass game when out in space.

The offense as a whole just seems to flow better when Jones is in on the field. Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams will have a role to play, but the main act should be Jones in the running game.

The Packers will need to keep the Rams off the field, and having a running game is the best way to do that. Picking up positive yardage on first and second down can keep the Packers ahead of the chains on third down and keep the Rams’ pass rush having to play both the run and the pass.

Coach McCarthy cannot panic if he finds his team down a score and abandon the run game. He must be patient and allow Jones to work for him and the offense.