Twenty-one carry. 124 meters. Two touchdowns. Many people thought that Derrick Henry’s statline on Sunday night would look like this, not AJ Dillon’s. After not having much of an offense offensive the first 15 weeks of the season, the Green Back Packers’ rookie picked a huge stage to have an outburst performance. It all came together for Dillon in a snow victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.
Dillon had 24 games for 114 yards, no shots, and one catch for 16 yards. In all fairness, not much was expected of Dillon in year 1. It was basically a red shirt year in which he could get comfortable with the offense and learn from Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. In limited reps, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry, which is not terrible at all. However, he has not yet found his footing inside the offense.
That all changed this week when Jamaal Williams was ruled inactive with a quadricep injury, which could have left a small opening for Dillon. Even without Williams staying out of account, Jones is likely to still guarantee the most touches.
Dillon was on the field for less than 10 percent of offensive snaps in 2020 and was also placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list for five weeks earlier in the year. After the game, Aaron Rodgers admitted he was not at all sure Dillon would return this season. Clearly, Dillon would not have missed a great opportunity if he presented himself.
On the first ride of 60 yards and an attack, Dillon did not have a carry and he was not once on the field. Jones was apparently on his way to another solid performance and started the game with three runs for 20 yards.
The second ride was designed for Dillon by Matt LaFleur, the head coach. It did not start very well, as his first two cars were only two meters. Dillon finally got things going with a rush of six yards and another for nine yards. These two tasks may never have occurred if the Titans had not committed a significant penalty on the third down to extend the ride. If that punishment had never occurred, Dillon might have had a very different night.
Later, a security interceptor Darnell Savage set up a brief field situation for the Packers offense. In the first play, however, Rodgers throws a ball in the direction of Jones who is tackled and ends up uncomfortable. Jones left the game and was replaced by Dillon.
At the very next game, Dillon stormed the middle for a 14-yard win. While Green Bay passes their third attempt, Dillon becomes the lead role.
When the Packers drafted Dillon, the possibility that he would run through arm wrestling in cold football in December was one of the first images that came to mind. Against Tennessee, he did exactly that. During the third quarter, Dillon jumped through a pit and, with one man to beat, forced a missed tackle for a 30-yard run.
The long score could certainly have been a good night for Dillon, but he was not quite done. He would later achieve his second career attack while carrying a pile of Titans players on his shoulders. In the training camp we saw photos and heard folk tales of Dillon’s power, but on Sunday night it was the first time that everyone could see it.
He showed that there could be a bright future in Green Bay. He also showed why the Packers were so high on him. In response to Dillon’s day 2 pick, many have pointed to LaFleur’s time with Henry from the season he spent in Tennessee. Comparing the two players’ physical stature and playing style, it was clear that the Packers were hoping that Dillon might be their own version of Henry. Sunday night it gave some hope that it would come true.
Dillon had the better match between the two as Henry rounded out the match with 23 runs for 98 yards and no knocks. At the moment, there is nothing to know what Dillon’s role will be if Jones and Williams are healthy again. For Green Bay, having three viable options for running back is a big issue.
“It’s so exciting when you have three backs in whom you have so much confidence,” said LaFleur. said. “All three guys start for me in this league.”
This show may be Dillon’s most memorable from his rookie season, but even if it is, the Packers will be happy. At the very least, Dillon has shown that this offense can still play at a high level with him as the primary running rugby player.