Twenty-one wears. 124 meters. Two touchdowns. Many people thought that Derrick Henry’s statistical line would look like this on Sunday night, not AJ Dillon’s. After not playing much in the offensive in the first 15 weeks of the season, the rookie Green Bay Packers, who ran back, chose a huge stage to have a performance. It all came together for Dillon, in a snowy victory, who made statements about the Tennessee Titans in week 16.
Entering the game, Dillon had 24 transports for 114 meters, without touchdown and a catch for 16 meters. Correctly, not much was expected of Dillon in Year 1. It was practically a red-hot year in which he could feel comfortable with offense and learn from Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. In limited repetitions, he had an average of 4.8 meters on transport, which is not terrible in any case. However, he had not yet found his bases well enough in the crime.
Everything changed this week, when Jamaal Williams was found inactive with a quadriceps injury, possibly providing a small opening for Dillon. However, even with Williams out, Jones was likely to continue to guarantee the most touches.
Dillon was on the field for less than 10% of the offensive photos in 2020 and was also placed on the reserve list / COVID-19 for a period of five weeks at the beginning of the year. After the match, Aaron Rodgers admitted that he is not sure that Dillon will return at all this season. Clearly, Dillon wasn’t going to pass up a great opportunity if he showed up.
On the opening unit that went for 60 meters and a touchdown, Dillon did not have a carryover and was not on the field for a single play. Jones seemed to be heading for another solid performance, starting the game with three 20-meter carries.
The second unit was designed for Dillon by head coach Matt LaFleur. It didn’t start very well, as its first two transports totaled only two meters. Dillon finally got things done with a six-meter rush and a nine-meter rush. It is possible that these two transports would never have happened if the Titans had not committed a crucial penalty in the third down to extend the wheel. If the punishment had never happened, Dillon may have had a very different night.
A Darnell Savage safety interception later created a short field goal for the Packers offense. However, in the first play, Rodgers threw a ball in the direction of Jones who was attacked and landed stingher. Jones has left the field. He is replaced by Dillon.
In the next play, Dillon rushed to the middle for a 14-meter gain. While Green Bay punched the third touchdown, Dillon became the lead.
When the Packers recruited Dillon, the chances of him running his arms in cold football in December were some of the first images that came to mind. Against Tennessee, he did just that. In the third quarter, Dillon threw through a hole and, with one man hitting, forced a missed attack for a 30-meter landing run.
The long score would have ended a great night for Dillon, but it didn’t end at all. He would later score the second touchdown of his career while carrying a bunch of titans on his shoulders. In the training camp, I saw pictures and heard folk tales about Dillon’s strength, but Sunday night was the first time everyone had witnessed it.
He pointed out that there could be a bright future in Green Bay. He also showed why the Packers were so tall on him. In reaction to Dillon’s Day 2 selection, many highlighted LaFleur’s time with Henry in the Tennessee season. Comparing the physical stature and style of play of the two players, it was clear that the Packers hoped that Dillon could be their own version of Henry. Sunday night offered some hope that it would actually come true.
Dillon had the best game between the two, as Henry finished the game with 23 carries for 98 yards and no touchdown. At this time, it is unknown what role Dillon will play once Jones and Williams return to health. For Green Bay, having three viable options for running back is a big issue.
“It’s so interesting when you have three backs that you have so much confidence in yourself,” LaFleur said. said. “All three guys, for me, are beginners in this league.”
This performance may be Dillon’s most memorable in his rookie season, but even if that is the case, the Packers will be happy. At the very least, Dillon has shown that this offense can still play at a high level with him as the first striker.