Twenty-one door. 124 yards. Two touchdowns. A lot of people thought Derrick Henry’s statistical line would look similar on Sunday night, not AJ Dillon’s. After not having much role on offense during the first 15 weeks of the season, the Green Bay Packers rookie who picked again picked a huge stage to have exceptional performance. It all came together for Dillon in a snowy and victorious decision over the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.
Upon entering the game, Dillon had 24 runs for 114 yards, no touchdowns and a catch for 16 yards. To be fair, not much was expected of Dillon in Year 1. It was basically a red shirt year in which he could feel comfortable with the offense and learn from Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. On limited reps, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry, which isn’t terrible in any way. Still, he had not yet found his foot in the crime.
Everything changed this week when Jamaal Williams was found inactive with a quadriceps injury, possibly providing a small opening for Dillon. However, even with Williams out, it is likely that Jones will continue to secure the most touches.
Dillon has been on the field for less than 10 percent of offensive accessories by 2020 and also placed on the reserve list / COVID-19 for a five-week period earlier this year. After the game, Aaron Rodgers admitted he wasn’t sure Dillon would play again this season. Clearly Dillon wouldn’t miss a great opportunity if he showed up.
On the first drive which lasted 60 yards and a touchdown, Dillon had no charge and was not on the field for a single play. Jones looked like he was heading for another solid performance, starting the game with three gates for 20 yards.
The second unit was designed for Dillon by head coach Matt LaFleur. He didn’t start exactly, as his first two runs totaled just two meters. Dillon finally got things done with a speed of six yards and another of nine yards. It is possible that these two gates would never have passed if the Titans had not committed a crucial penalty to the third to extend unity. If this grief ever occurred, Dillon may have had a very different night.
An interception by safety Darnell Savage later established a short field situation for the Packers offense. However, on the first play, Rodgers threw a ball in the direction of Jones who was attacked and landed uncomfortably. Jones left the game and was replaced by Dillon.
In the next play, Dillon rushed to the center for a 14-yard gain. While Green Bay hit his third touchdown, Dillon became the protagonist.
When the Packers drafted Dillon, the chances that he could run with his arms in the cold December football were some of the first images that came to my mind. Against Tennessee, he did exactly that. During the third quarter, Dillon jumped through a hole and, with a man to beat, forced a missed attack for a 30-yard stop.
The long score would certainly have ended a great night for Dillon, but it wasn’t quite over. He would later score his second professional touchdown while carrying a stack of Titans players on his shoulders. At the training camp we saw photos and heard folk tales about Dillon’s strength, but Sunday night was the first time anyone was able to witness it.
He showed that in Green Bay there could be a bright future. He also showed why the Packers were so high with him. In reaction to Dillon’s second-day selection, many pointed to LaFleur’s time with Henry last season in Tennessee. Comparing the physical stature and style of play of the two players, it was clear that the Packers hoped Dillon could be their own version of Henry. Sunday night provided some hope for it to come true.
Dillon had the better game between the two, as Henry finished the game with 23 98-yard gates and no touchdowns. At this time, it is unknown what role Dillon will play once Jones and Williams return to health. For Green Bay, having three viable options for running again is a big problem.
“It’s so exciting when you have three backs that you have so much confidence in,” LaFleur says dit. “To me, these three guys are starters in this league.”
This performance might fall as Dillon’s most memorable of his rookie season, but even if that’s the case, the Packers will be happy. At the very least, Dillon showed that this offense can still play at a high level with him as the main runner.