While Aaron Rodgers performed his usual magic, it was another Aaron who helped carry the load on Sunday night. Green Bay Packers halfback and leading rusher Aaron Jones came up big for the team in Sunday’s 31-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
With top receiver Davante Adams injured, the third-year running back showed that he can carry the missing workload just fine to help lead the team to victory. Jones further established himself as a go-to target for Rodgers after hauling in seven catches for 159 yards and two scores in the victory. The 24-year-old back was also the team’s leading rusher with 67 yards on 13 attempts.
“I want it here,” Jones told NBC on Sunday, pointing toward his chest. “It starts right here in the heart. If you want it there, it will take you a long way and just in my mind, my mentality is, ‘Keep doubting me.’ And I’ll just keep working hard every day and go after what I want.”
Jones’ performance was pivotal in getting the team their seventh win against the Patrick Mahomes-less Chiefs.The game was surprisingly quite close and featured Matt Moore at the helm for the Chiefs. After a slow start, Moore got used to the Chiefs’ weapons and threw two td passes to Travis Kelce and Mecole Hardman to tie the game back at 14 before the half ended.
By the end of the half, the Chiefs had scored 17 unanswered points and the game was still tied at 24 apiece with 9:03 left in the fourth quarter. Then, Jones broke free.
30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW
Three plays after the Chiefs had evened the score, Jones exploded out of the backfield and found a seam, hauling in a short pass that essentially wound up clinching the game.
In another piece of “Aaron magic” the Packers QB was facing a 3rd-and-3 situation as his team was down by seven early in the fourth. Rodgers — who’d been sacked five times on the night — felt the pressure and rolled out top pocket to heave a pass down the right sideline while falling The ball somehow ended up in Packers receiver Damien Williams‘ hands to tie the game at 24.
Not even a solid night from Moore could stop the Packers, as the magic continues for Green Bay.
“He’s a special guy,” Rodgers said, talking about Jones. “He’s great in the locker room, he’s a great young leader, and he’s a fantastic player. He does everything the right way. He doesn’t have an ego and he’s just a hell of a player. I’m glad we have him on our team.”
The 7-1 Packers will head to LA to face the 3-5 Chargers next week. The 5-3 Chiefs will greet the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
