GREEN BAY – Former Packers star running back Aaron Jones had a productive day in his return to Lambeau Field, rushing 22 times for 93 yards in the Vikings' win Sunday.
But on eight of those carries, Green Bay limited Jones to a gain of one yard or less, and his 4.2-yard average on the afternoon was more than a full yard less than his 5.4 mark on the season coming in.
Here's a sampling, with a number of different defenders getting involved.
Play No. 1: First-and-10 from the Minnesota 44, first quarter, 13:33 left
Result: 1-yard run by Jones
On Jones' second carry of the Vikings' opening drive, the Packers show really good pursuit to the outside, particularly LB Isaiah McDuffie (58) and DL Kenny Clark (97) and Devonte Wyatt (95). All three lose their blockers fairly quickly, and McDuffie turns Jones back inside to where Clark and Wyatt are closing fast.
Play No. 2: First-and-10 from the Green Bay 41, first quarter, 6:26 left
Result: 1-yard run by Jones
On Minnesota's second drive, one snap after Jones has ripped off a 17-yard run (with a 15-yard facemask tacked on), the run defense recovers. DL Preston Smith (91) handily beats the block of TE Josh Oliver (84), who may have gotten bumped off course a bit by Clark's penetration next to him. Smith crashes hard as Jones cuts back, and LB Edgerrin Cooper (56) finishes the tackle.
Play No. 3: First-and-goal from the Green Bay 1, first quarter, 2:19 left
Result: 1-yard loss for Jones
The end of the Vikings' second drive is Jones' best chance for a TD and Lambeau Leap, but the Packers deny him with just solid work across the board. DL Karl Brooks (94) beats the block attempt of C Garrett Bradbury (56), who appears to get knocked off balance by his own teammate. While Brooks is in free pursuit, notice how to his right neither Wyatt, Smith nor LB Eric Wilson (45) gives any ground. No one gets pushed into the end zone, no blockers get to McDuffie or LB Quay Walker (7) on the second level, and Wilson holds the edge against FB C.J. Ham (30) to turn Jones back into all the traffic, which includes Brooks catching him from behind.
Play No. 4: First-and-10 from the Minnesota 18, third quarter, 13:53 left
Result: No gain for Jones
A classic Clark stop here on the Vikings' first snap of the second half, as the veteran knocks Bradbury into the backfield with tremendous force, and then grabs Jones as he tries to slip by. Yeoman's work.
Play No. 5: Second-and-6 from the Minnesota 24, fourth quarter, 5:29 left
Result: No gain for Jones
Another really good play by Clark here. He once again knocks back Bradbury, whose legs get caught under DL T.J. Slaton (93) as Slaton is grabbed and pulled down by RT Brian O'Neill (75). S Javon Bullard (20), who earlier blitzed through a gap to bring down Jones for a 2-yard loss (play not shown), run blitzes again, this time off the edge. He isn't able to make the tackle, but with Smith setting a hard edge against the pulling guard, Clark is able to take Jones down.
Play No. 6: Second-and-13 from the Green Bay 45, fourth quarter, 4:12 left
Result: 1-yard run by Jones
Here DL Rashan Gary gets a strong initial push on LT Christian Darrisaw (71), whose right leg trips over his teammate's left foot and he can't recover. Gary is waiting for Jones as Bullard fills from the second level.
Play No. 7: Third-and-1 from the Green Bay 4, fourth quarter, 3:07 left
Result: No gain for Jones
On the Vikings' final drive, Jones gets one more shot at the end zone. But he's denied by another win at the point of attack by Gary (52), who initially gets double-teamed but then maintains leverage and separation from LG Blake Brandel (64), and then sprints at Jones to make the diving tackle. Impressive play.
