In January, Aaron Jones showcased one of the best periods of his NFL career, helping the Green Bay Packers reach the NFC Divisional Round.
He achieved five consecutive games with over 100 rushing yards, highlighted by a three-touchdown effort in a playoff victory against the Dallas Cowboys. This streak included a memorable win over the Minnesota Vikings on New Year’s Eve, where Jones famously taunted the Vikings’ sideline.
Now, Jones is thriving as a member of the Vikings and claims he’s having the most enjoyable time of his career in Minnesota. He is gearing up for a significant game against his former team at Lambeau Field, seeking to prove himself against the Packers.
Ahead of this Week 4 matchup, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur addressed the media, and a reporter asked him about the challenges of facing Jones after having designed numerous plays for him in the past. LaFleur humorously responded, “Who?” but quickly clarified his thoughts on Jones.
“Yeah, he’s a problem, and he looks really good,” LaFleur stated. He acknowledged Jones as one of his favorite players to coach, expressing, “I’ve still got a love for him. I just won’t have a lot of love for him when we’re playing against him.” This sentiment captures the mixed emotions of Packers fans who still appreciate Jones but struggle with seeing him in a Vikings uniform, participating in “Skol” chants.
On the other side, the Packers are confident in their own rushing attack, led by Josh Jacobs, who has amassed 278 rushing yards in the first three games, ranking among the top five running backs. Green Bay boasts the league’s best rushing stats, averaging 204 yards per game.
However, Jeff Hafley’s defensive unit now faces the task of containing Jones, who has been impressive with an average of 5.4 yards per carry in the Vikings’ first three games, including a 102-yard performance against the Houston Texans in Week 3.
As Jones aims to make a statement, LaFleur’s acknowledgment of him as a “problem” adds pressure to the Packers’ defense, setting the stage for a compelling matchup.
