Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur has turned the combination of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams into a reincarnation of one of the most productive individual running back seasons of all-time.
Through 10 games, Jones and Williams have combined to produce 1,400 total yards and 20 total touchdowns on 260 total touches. At their current pace, they’ll create 2,240 total yards and 32 total touchdowns on 416 touches in 2019.
Those extrapolated numbers compare favorably to what Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson produced during an MVP season in 2006.
That year, Tomlinson turned his 404 touches into 2,323 total yards and 31 touchdowns.
Obviously, this is comparing the efforts of two players to one. What Tomlinson accomplished on his own in 2006 is nothing short of incredible. But the yards-per-touch (5.4 for Jones and Williams, 5.8 for Tomlinson) and touchdown percentage (7.7 for Jones and Williams, 7.7 for Tomlinson) are at least comparable, providing a layer of context to how great Jones and Williams have been as dual-threat players in LaFleur’s offense in 2019.
Jones is tied for the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns (11) and total touchdowns (14), while Williams leads the Packers in receiving touchdowns (5). Together, they are averaging 4.4 yards per carry and 8.7 yards per catch, while scoring a touchdown once every 13 touches.
“I feel like we have a different type of squad offensively this year where we have been running the ball effectively and we realize how important Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are to our attack and we’re finding ways to get them the ball in the backfield and out in space, and they’ve been a big part of our success,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said.
LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006: 404 touches, 2,323 total yards, 31 total TDs
Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams on pace in 2019: 416 touches, 2,240 total yards, 32 total TDs pic.twitter.com/ECIdUxfrtf
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) November 14, 2019
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