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The Green Bay Packers are sizable underdogs in Sunday’s first-round playoff matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, but a former quarterback thinks one player can make a significant difference.
Kurt Benkert, who spent the 2021 season with Green Bay, identified Aaron Jones as the key to a Packers upset. The Sleeper analyst noted that the running back has 358 rushing yards on 63 carries over his last three games.
“Not long ago the Cowboys gave up 180 on the ground to James Cook,” Benkert wrote. “Aaron Jones is the X factor. If he gets going early, I’m hammering Packers [moneyline].”
5.7 yards per carry in the last 3 weeks with over 60 carries. (Nearly 400 yards by himself on the ground).
Not long ago the Cowboys gave up 180 on the ground to James Cook.
Aaron Jones is the X factor. If he gets going early, I’m hammering Packers ML. pic.twitter.com/38dEaLxvkP
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) January 14, 2024
The Cowboys surrendered 266 rushing yards in a Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. They allowed 112.4 yards per game on the ground and 4.2 yards per carry this season.
Jones hadn’t exceeded 75 rushing yards in a 2023 game through Week 15. He also missed six games, sitting out Weeks 12-14 with a knee injury.
The 29-year-old returned with a vengeance, clearing 100 yards in each of Green Bay’s final three games. AJ Dillion averaged just 3.4 yards per carry in his fourth year, so the Packers leaned heavily on Jones down the stretch.
Following consecutive losses to the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jones powered the Packers into the playoffs with a three-game winning streak. His presence also helped Jordan Love, who tallied nine passing touchdowns, two rushing scores, and no picks after Jones returned in Week 15.
Green Bay may need another huge game from Jones to pull off an upset over the Cowboys, who went 8-0 at home this season. Sunday’s game starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX.