When 33 Gets 3+ Touches on a Drive, Packers Thrive

FEATURE

When 33 Gets 3+ Touches on a Drive, Packers Thrive

Packers score on 54% of the drives he gets 3+ touches

Nov 01, 2022

This season, when the Packers don’t give the ball to running back Aaron Jones at least three times on a particular drive, they score only approximately 21% of the time (excluding kneel-downs).

When they do give it to Jones three or more times, they score 54% of the time.

This, of course, isn’t to say giving it to Jones is the only way for the offense to score—after all, seven touchdown drives in 2022 have happened when he touched it less than three times. (Note, though, that two of those seven touchdowns were scored by Jones on his second touch that drive).

It is to say that the team has scored more touchdowns—nine—when 33 touched it 3+ times. If there's any confusion on whom to feed the ball, maybe there's some way we can make it easy to spot Jones...

Sunday Night @Showtyme_33 💪#GBvsBUF | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/3fo0YMvCw5

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 30, 2022

Of course the Packers know these stats and want to feed him the ball. This is just to put numbers to what we plebeian onlookers all already feel, such that we all can feel seen. 😉

Of course the team needs balance. “We have to mix the run and the pass to be as effective as we want to be offensively,” coach Matt LaFleur said. With several key receivers injured, it appeared the Buffalo Bills knew the Packers were giving it to Jones on fourth down and stuffed the run with what appeared to be a 10-man box.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers said connecting on deep passes like the Packers did in the second half against the Bills can loosen up the defense, entice defenders to back up, create less defenders in the box, and make it easier for Jones to run.

“I thought we ran the ball well,” Rodgers said after the Bills game. “I thought Jones-y had a great game. But we’re going to have to push the ball downfield in order to win games in this league.”

And the numbers say, between those touches: Give at least three to 33.

Another TD for @Showtyme_33!#GBvsWAS | #GoPackGo

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/5zFxszDwgv

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 23, 2022

__________________________

Chris Hollenback worked for the Packers in 1998-1999, he has written for Packers.com and other media outlets, he's much shorter than Derrick Mayes and Brett Favre nicknamed him Chris "To-hell-en-back." Follow him on twitter at @CHollenback

__________________________

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

NFL Categories:

Buffalo Bills

Green Bay Packers

Comments (7)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.

OFF

CheesedDeadHead

November 01, 2022 at 06:13 pm

But can Jones play Safety?

Leatherhead

November 01, 2022 at 06:37 pm

I think Jones is a great back for the Packers. And as you know, I'm a proponent of the "run more, pass less" theory of offense. I'm also a proponent of the "big gun" theory, which is that you should use the big guns when you have them, and Jones is a big gun. I mean, what are we saving him for? The playoffs? Next season?

The Packers need to win in Detroit to have any real shot a viable season. IMO, our season is circling the drain. Nothing against Dillon at all, but I play Jones as many snaps as he can go, and I give him the ball a lot. Simplify it for the big eaters....we're running. Let's see how far the Aaron and Aaron show can take the offense.

1 replies + - | show all | hide all

PhantomII

November 01, 2022 at 08:45 pm

Agree...He's the ONLY real weapon on our offense. Use him in run and pass as much as Adams was used.

Ritzy

November 01, 2022 at 08:33 pm

Remember when the big idea was having Jones carrying the load for 3 quarters then let Dillon bludgeon tired defenses in the 4

T7Steve

November 02, 2022 at 07:34 am

How many times did he touch the ball on three and outs? Does someone have the number of three and outs they've had this year?

The best development from giving Jones the ball enough (besides the explosive plays/yardage) is that the defense has to honor him and we're seeing AR roll out more and he even ran the ball for a first down. All these things help the O-line be more efficient and less exposed.

coolhand

November 02, 2022 at 08:51 am

I have to agree with ARod, you can't win in this league if you can't throw downfield. Maybe Rodgers needs to run more to buy time for the big plays downfield. He is one of the most accurate passers ever throwing on the run.