Jones could carry Packers into the playoffs

By GERY WOELFEL

Aaron Jones opened the regular-season with a bang.

He and his Green Bay Packers teammates hope he closes it in similar fashion.

Jones, the Packers’ talented veteran running back, was outstanding in the Packers’ season-opening game against the Chicago Bears.

Jones combined for a 127 passing and rushing yards, along with one touchdown, in helping the Packers trounce the Bears 38-20 at Chicago.

The Packers will certainly need a repeat performance by Jones Sunday when they host the Bears at Lambeau Field. A win trusts the Packers into the NFC playoffs after a one-year hiatus. A loss sends them on vacation.

Jones has always been a key component to the Packers’ offense, but he’ll be counted on even more in this critical game. That’s because AJ Dillon, Jones’ solid backup, won’t be on the field. He’s been ruled out with a thumb injury.

Jones seems up for the challenge, although a few weeks ago one had to wonder how much he had left in the tank. After all, following his impressive season-opening game performance, Jones’ play went south.

Plagued by injuries, Jones gained more than 53 yards in just one of his next seven games, that being a 73-yard showing against the Rams.

But after sitting out three games from the middle of November until the middle of December, Jones regained his health and returned with a vengeance.

He’ll enter Sunday’s game with back-to-back 100 yard-plus games: 122 yards against the Panthers and then 120 yards last Sunday against the Vikings.

The Packers came away victorious in both of those games.

If Jones can replicate those past two outings, or at least come close to doing so, the Packers will be playoff bound.

Prediction: Packers 27, Bears 20