Packers' duo predicted to have historical year in 2023
The Green Bay Packers have what is thought by many to be the NFL's best 1-2 punch at the running back position. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon are very talented backs that can do it all in various ways, which makes them really hard to defend. Their presence -and production- will play a big role […]
The Green Bay Packers have what is thought by many to be the NFL's best 1-2 punch at the running back position. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon are very talented backs that can do it all in various ways, which makes them really hard to defend.
Their presence -and production- will play a big role in how the Jordan Love-led offense performs in 2023. Of all the offensive skill positions, it's the running back group that is the most proven. Therefore, the team is going to need Jones and Dillon to keep putting up numbers.
The Packers offense will be very versatile in terms of how it executes plays, but make no mistake: the unit will lean on the two RBs in a big way.
With that comes expectations and Packer Central's Bill Huber believes Jones and Dillon will each record over 1,000 yards of total offense in 2023:
With added opportunities, I think running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will cross the 1,000-yard marks for total offense. Of course, in a 17-game season, that’s not really much of a feat. That’s less than a combined 60 yards per game rushing and receiving. So, if they stay relatively healthy, let’s up the ante. I think they’ll approach 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns between them. – Bill Huber, Packer Central
It's an extremely rare feat for two running backs to individually record 1,000 total yards of offense for the same team in a single season. In NFL history, this has happened a grand total of five times, since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970, with the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins being the most notable team on the list. The other four teams to accomplish the feat were the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1985 Cleveland Browns, 2008 New York Giants, and 2009 Carolina Panthers.
And, if Jones and Dillons combine for 3,000 total yards and 20 touchdowns, it'll mark the first time in NFL history that two running backs combined for those stats in a single season.
It's a bold prediction, but it can certainly happen. Jones and Dillon have combined for 1,000 total yards each in 2021. And with increased opportunities and an offensive line that features a healthy David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, there's definitely a world that exists where they can combine for the historical numbers Huber predicts.
The best part about the prediction is the fact that if Jones and Dillon hit the 3k/20 touchdown mark, then the Packers offense is likely humming and the team is winning games.
You can check out Huber's full column, here.
Matt LaFleur provides encouraging update on two key Packers players
If this plays out like he thinks, then the Packers are going to be in really good shape.
Featured image via Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
