Aaron Jones becomes early MVP contender in Packers win

Aaron Jones should be an early MVP contender.

Two weeks into the regular season, Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is showing why he should be a strong contender for the NFL MVP award this year.

Jones has picked up where he left off from last season, when he led the league in rushing touchdowns.

In Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions, Jones put together one of the best games of his career. Jones averaged 9.3 yards per carry and led the Packers in both rushing and receiving. He finished the game with 236 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.

Including the playoffs, Jones found the end zone 23 times in 18 games last season. After two games this year, he already has four touchdowns.

Like many other defenses have found over the past couple of years, the Lions had absolutely no answer for the Packers’ star running back.

Between the tackles? Jones’ explosiveness and ability to pick up yards after contact consistently put the Packers offense in positive down-and-distances. It all became too much for Detroit’s defense on the first play of the second half; Jones broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run. Once he hit the open field, it was game over for the Lions.

That play just about finished off the Lions, who looked flat after Jones took the opening play of the half all the way.

What makes life even harder for defenses is that Jones is a three-down back. Not only is he dominant between the tackles, he’s become an excellent receiver. Jones made a couple of incredible catches in this game, finishing with four receptions for a team-best 68 yards and a touchdown.

After two games, Jones has rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also caught eight passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. He’s on pace 1,872 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, as well as 624 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. OK, it might be unlikely he hits those numbers, but it shows just how dominant Jones has been through two weeks.

Early in the season? Yes — but Aaron Jones deserves to be in the MVP conversation.