The Packers refusal to involve one of their key offensive weapons is befuddling. They’re shooting themselves in the foot by not involving Aaron Jones more.
The Green Bay Packers straight up blew it in London with a Week 5 loss to the New York Giants, a team they absolutely should have beaten.
What’s worse is the loss is as much on the Packers themselves as it is on the Giants for playing a solid game. You can’t win in this league if you don’t get out of your own way, and on Sunday the Packers failed to do just that.
The Packers utilized Aaron Jones just 13 times. Jones was averaging 4.84 yards per carry, but the Packers continued to air it out.
Packers averaging almost 5 YPC but have 16 carries in the game to 32 passes.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) October 9, 2022
This isn’t the first of this pattern this season. Here is Jones’ workload coming into Week 5:
- Wek 1: 5 carries
- Week 2: 15 carries
- Week 3: 12 carries
- Week 4: 16 carries
Jones doesn’t even crack the top 10 in rushing attempts this season.
Aaron Jones is their best player on offense who doesn't play QB yet the Packers seem hellbent on making sure he doesn't get the ball. It is beyond baffling.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) October 9, 2022
Look at how someone like Saquon Barkley matches up in terms of workload:
- Week 1: 18 carries
- Week 2: 21 carries
- Week 3: 14 carries
- Week 4: 31 carries
In a critical moment, down by 7 beyond the 2-minute warning, the Packers had one yard to gain. On third-and-1, they opted to pass. On fourth-and-1, they opted to pass again. Both passes (the first to Randall Cobb, the second to Allen Lazard) were incomplete.
Understandably there is some clock management to be considered at that stage in the game, but Jones is almost a guaranteed yard. The Giants also have the sixth-worst yards-per-carry allowed in the league, making the decision to not run Jones to the hills this game all the more confusing.
Packers have a lot to figure out beyond just Aaron Jones
Figuring out how to not get in your own way is one thing, but the Packers need to figure everything out. After losing Davante Adams in the offseason, the Packers never quite backfilled their receiving room and are left with some less-than-exciting talents for Rodgers to throw to.
Odell Beckham Jr. might be in play, which frankly, feels like a must-do at this point in the season if the Packers want to get back in-line for a Super Bowl run.
All in all, feels like the Packers might burn a season late in Rodgers’ prime. Not great.