Five Packers to watch vs. Lions with chance to earn first-round bye

1. Aaron Jones

By now it should be no secret who makes the Packers offense go. It’s not the two-time MVP, it’s the third-year running back, a fifth-round pick out of Texas-El Paso, Aaron Jones.

Jones is easily the Packers MVP and offensive player of the year. He has done a lot of heavy lifting for the Packers this season and has a chance for a 1,000-yard year. Jones is just 16 yards short of 1K, one touchdown short of 20 and 70 yards away from 500 yards receiving. Also depending on what Christian McCaffrey does, Jones has a chance to close the season as the NFL leader in rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns.

If you were to base it off of his averages, Jones could finish with 1,050 yards rushing, 470 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns. That would be one of the most prolific years for a Packers running back.

Jones will also have to be monitored. Jamaal Williams left last week’s game late in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. His status for this weekend’s game is not yet known. Having him in the lineup would be the ideal situation to take some of the load off of Jones and not have to rely on Dexter Williams, who has taken all of three carries this season.

But, load management should be secondary to getting the win. The Packers cannot take this situation for granted and must try to get the first-round bye.