The Green Bay Packers are looking to jump back over the .500 mark when they host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
This comes after the Packers blew a double-digit lead against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend, missing a golden opportunity to start the season 2-0.
However, growing pains were expected for the young Green Bay club in its first season without Aaron Rodgers under center. While the early returns on Jordan Love are mixed, there is no question the young quarterback has flashed some considerable arm talent over the first two weeks.
But Love’s arm won’t be the X-factor for the Packers against the Saints in Week 3.
Instead, it will be running back AJ Dillon.
Green Bay was without featured back Aaron Jones against the Falcons, as the 28-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in the Packers’ Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears.
While Jones did return to practice on Thursday, he did not partake in individual drills on Wednesday, which shows that Green Bay is probably being careful with its top rusher. As of now, Jones is questionable for the Saints matchup.
Enter Dillon, who carried the ball 15 times for 55 yards in Week 2 and has been a steady contributor for the Packers over the past couple of seasons.
New Orleans is not known for its run defense, as it ranked 24th in the NFL in that category a year ago and is allowing a so-so 102 rushing yards per game thus far.
While the 247-pound Dillon has never been the type to gash opposing defenses, there is a big opportunity for him to do some damage at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Given the fact that the Saints have a pretty terrific pass defense (they ranked No. 2 last year and seventh thus far in 2023), the Packers may want to take some pressure off of Love and pound the football more. Giving Love the green light to sling it may not be the wisest decision, so expect the Packers to try and hand the ball off to Dillon quite a bit.
Even if Jones plays, he will likely not be 100 percent, so Dillon may see the bulk of the touches this weekend. Dillon totaled 770 yards and seven touchdowns last season and finished with 803 yards and five scores in 2021, so we know he is capable of being a productive ball-carrier.
In order for the Packers to hand the Saints their first loss of 2023, they will probably need to mix in a healthy dosage of Dillon in with whatever potential touches they give Jones. And because Love has only completed 55.8 percent of his passes thus far, an efficient ground game may be the only way Green Bay can actually beat New Orleans.
It’s time for the Packers to hit the Saints where it hurts.
