Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones turned on the jets and raced away from linebacker T.J. Edwards while splitting the rest of the Chicago Bears defense on a crucial 35-yard touchdown catch on 4th-and-3 in the second half of Green Bay’s 38-20 win over the Bears in Week 1.
The score gave the Packers a 24-6 lead in the third quarter and set the stage for the blowout at Soldier Field.
Buy Packers TicketsThe play design had Jones run a “choice” route from the backfield. Against the man coverage of Edwards, Jones broke inside to open space and Jordan Love hit him in stride.
How fast was Jones moving on the touchdown? Next Gen Stats had Jones clocked at 21.48 miles per hour, which made him the third-fastest ball-carrier during Week 1 through Sunday’s games.
The only faster ball-carrier? Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, who hit 21.66 miles per hour on a 47-yard catch and 21.52 miles per hour on his own 35-yard touchdown catch vs. the Chargers.
Edwards, a linebacker, never had a chance of chasing down Jones. Neither did cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon or safety Jaquan Brisker.
Fans at Soldier Field are used to seeing incredible speed from their Wisconsin visitors. Last season, the Packers’ fastest ball-carrier was Christian Watson, who hit 21.72 miles per hour on his game-clinching 46-yard touchdown run against the Bears at Soldier Field.
Jones was only fractionally slower during his own critical touchdown Sunday.
Here’s what Jones told Bill Huber of SI.com after the win:
“I think I got a little bit faster. I was trying to kick into another gear. It’s definitely something that I feel like is special. Anytime you can add that to your repertoire, anytime you can take a 10-yard route or a 5-yard route to the house is big.”
Jones did suffer a slight hamstring injury at the end of the run. He grabbed at the back of his left leg as he entered the end zone. Early indications are the injury isn’t serious.
On 4th and 3, @Showtyme_33 scores again 🙌
📺: #GBvsCHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/xwEGcupd5H— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
