Aaron Jones Returns to Lambeau in Week Four
One of the Packers’ most prolific and fan-favorite players returns to Green Bay this week. If you need to know who I am referring to, it is Aaron Jones. Jones, the Packers' running back for six years, is now a member of the divisional rival of the Minnesota Vikings. Jones was drafted by the Packers with the 182nd pick in the fifth round and had been a cornerstone for a long time. The Week Three matchup between the Packers and Vikings will be Jones' first time returning to Green Bay since signing with the Vikings.
Many players from the Packers have gone to the Vikings but often do not receive a warm welcome when they return to Lambeau. Most notable is Brett Favre, who retired and then unretired to play for the Vikings, and he drew anger and animosity from the Green Bay crowd when he played. Aaron Jones is having an excellent start to the season so far, and with the Vikings playing good football, it will be a tough matchup for the Packers. Jones already has a touchdown and 228 yards on 42 attempts rushing. The Vikings have defeated the 49ers and Texans in back-to-back weeks in impressive performances. The Packers’ weak spot on defense is the run game, and if they can not contain this familiar face, it will be a long game for the Pack. Jones is a shifty, fast, and intelligent running back who has helped the Packers win many games. He is also known as the "Cowboy killer" and has owned the Cowboys in the playoffs with seven touchdowns in two games against them. Packer fans forget he took multiple pay cuts to stay with the team, and not to pay him to be paired with Josh Jacobs was a huge missed opportunity. Jacobs and Jones could have been arguably the best backfield in the league. Then, the Pack had to spend a draft pick to get his replacement, which was already challenging.
The Packers know how Jones plays, and he is also dangerous with his catch-passing ability and yards after the catch. The defensive line did a good job shutting down the Titans on Sunday, but the Vikings are hazardous and should not be taken lightly. Jones could help the Vikings come out on top this week. However, with a new defensive coordinator and a more aggressive approach, the Pack could end Minnesota's unbeaten streak.
