Jordan Love was nothing short of terrific during the Green Bay Packers’ three-game win streak to end the 2023 season, but he got a big assist from an incredible three-game stretch from running back Aaron Jones.
Over the final three weeks of 2023, Jones led the NFL in rushing yards (358), rushing first downs (22), rushing success rate (68.3), 100-yard rushing games (3) and runs of 10-plus yards (13).
According to the team, Jones became the first player since Ahman Green in 2006 to rush for 100 or more yards in three straight games.
Jones finished off the three-game stretch with 111 yards on 22 carries — including the game-sealing 10-yard gain late in the fourth quarter — against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. He added 30 receiving yards.
Sidelined for six games and limited in at least four others, Jones endured a frustrating season on the injury front. But it’s possible the time off mid-season was a blessing in disguise; Jones returned from a knee injury in late December looking fresh, re-energized and explosive. And when A.J. Dillon suffered thumb and neck injuries, Jones finally took on the full lead back role, and he responded with three straight games handling 20 or more carries and gaining 100 or more yards.
Not surprisingly, the Packers were as consistently dynamic on offense over wins against the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings and Bears as they’ve been all season.
Per Pro Football Reference, Jones ranked first among all running backs in overall rushing success rate in 2023. His 62.0 percent success rate over 142 carries set a new career high and is the highest in the NFL for a running back with at least 125 carries in a season since at least 1994.
The Packers were 6-8 and reeling after losing 34-20 to the Buccaneers in Week 15, but Jones helped carry Matt LaFleur’s team to three straight wins and a trip to the postseason.
Here’s a look at Jones’ final three games:
Jones produced eight first downs rushing and a 63.6 percent success rate vs. the Bears.
Jones produced six first downs rushing and a 70.0 percent success rate vs. the Vikings.
Jones produced eight first downs rushing and a 71.4 percent success rate vs. the Panthers.
Jones and the Packers will go to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Round. The last time Jones played at AT&T Stadium? He scored a career-high four touchdowns in a 34-24 Packers win in 2019. LaFleur’s team might need another incredible effort from Jones — who has been full of them to end the 2023 season — to escape Dallas with an unlikely playoff upset.
