Packers: Five players key to victory in NFC Championship Game

5. Aaron Jones

I bet you thought it would be Aaron Rodgers here. Don’t get me wrong, Rodgers will need to be at the top of his game.

He, like everyone else, was run off the field down in Tampa. But I feel he’s going to be as locked in as he ever has and be the great player we all know he is.

One of the reasons the Packers struggled so bad in that game was because they abandoned the run too early. Rodgers often checked out of run plays to pass plays and that led to sacks and picks.

Aaron Jones was going nowhere fast, rushing for only 15 yards on 10 carries, but Jamaal Williams had 34 yards on only four carries and AJ Dillon played pretty well with 31 yards on five carries.

They will have to be more patient with the run game in this one and let Jones be Jones. Get him involved early and often in the run game and the pass.

Getting Jones going will loosen up the defense, make the play-action more effective and set the tempo for the Packers. It will also help set up the big plays like the one we saw on Allen Lazard’s touchdown last week.

Getting help from the other two of their three-headed backfield will also be key.

For the first time all season, LaFleur mixed all three into the game plan and all three played well. Dillon has been limited with a thigh injury but the coach expects him to be ready to go come game time.

This is the game Rodgers has been waiting for. An NFC Championship Game at home in Lambeau Field.

He’s talked at great length how much this game would mean to him. In an amazing season, he now has a chance to make it unforgettable.

One more win and they’re in the big game. One more win at home.

Tampa is going to want it just as much as the Packers. They have a chance to be the first team to ever play the Super Bowl in their home stadium. They have an all-time great at quarterback who knows how to get the job done.

The stage is set. It’s a clash of quarterback titans. But it will take a team effort to get there.