Green Bay Packers: 3 keys to victory vs. 49ers in Week 3

Feed Aaron Jones

When Green Bay’s offense is at its unstoppable best, it’s usually because Aaron Jones is getting the ball a lot.

Take the Packers’ win over the Lions in Week 2 as an example. Matt LaFleur made a point of getting the ball in Jones’ hands early and often. The Pro Bowl running back had 17 carries along with six catches, piling up 115 total yards and an incredible four touchdowns. Half of Jones’ receptions went for touchdowns.

However, the Packers have struggled to get Jones going in each of their past three games against the 49ers. On the ground, Jones has a combined 40 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown in three games. He’s capable of much more than that.

The Packers abandoned the run game far too early in the season-opening defeat to the New Orleans Saints, which is something they must avoid here, even if they fall behind early on.

San Francisco’s defensive line is up there with the best in the league, but teams have been able to run against them in the opening two games of the season. The 49ers are allowing 133.5 rushing yards per game, ranking No. 27 in the league after two weeks. According to ESPN, San Francisco’s run stop win rate is just 27 percent, which is also No. 27 in the NFL.

This will be a big test for the Packers’ interior offensive linemen. It could be Jon Runyan (second year), starting next to two rookies, Josh Myers and Royce Newman. Not easy, but if the Packers can open rushing lanes for Jones, they will have every chance of winning this game.