Twenty one carries. 124 yards. Two downs. A lot of people thought Derek Henry’s bottom line would look like this Sunday night, not AJ Dillon. After not having a major offensive role during the first 15 weeks of the season, the Green Bay Packers’ rookie picked a colossal stage for an outstanding performance. Everything came together for Dillon in a snowy win and made the statement over the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.
Upon entering the game, Dillon had 24 holders for 114 yards, no landing, and one catch for 16 yards. In all fairness, not much was expected of Dillon in the first year. He’s been a year into the red jersey where he can feel comfortable with being offended and learning from Aaron Jones and beauty Williams. At limited actors, it averaged 4.8 yards per load, which isn’t terrible by any means. However, he did not find a foothold in crime.
That all changed this week when Jamal Williams was judged to be inactive due to a quadriceps injury, potentially providing a small chance for Dylon. However, even with Williams out, Jones was likely to continue to guarantee the most touches.
Dillon was on the field for less than 10 percent of attack shots in 2020 and was also placed on the Reserve / COVID-19 list for five weeks earlier in the year. After the match, Aaron Rodgers admitted he wasn’t sure Dillon would return throughout that season. Dillon clearly wouldn’t miss a great opportunity if she introduces herself.
In the inaugural drive that lasted 60 yards and landings, Dillon did not have a stand and was not on the field to play once. Jones looked like he was on his way to another strong performance, starting the match with three stands for 20 yards.
The second drive was designed for Delon by coach Matt LaFleur. It didn’t start out quite well as his first two campaigns totaled only 2 yards. Dillon finally got things with a six-yard dash and another for nine yards. These two carriers might never have happened had the Titans not hit a decisive third-place penalty to extend the way. If that punishment never happened, Dillon’s night might have been completely different.
Later, a safety interceptor by Darnell Savage prepared a short field position for the Packers’ crime. However, in the first play, Rodgers threw a ball at Jones’ direction who was blocked and landed awkwardly. Jones is out of the game and replaced by Dillon.
In the next play, Dillon dashed through the middle to gain 14 yards. While he hit Green Bay on his third touchdown, Dillon became the featured full back.
When the Packers drafted Dillon, the odds of him being punched through the arm in December’s cold soccer ball were some of the first images that came to mind. He did exactly that against Tennessee. During the third quarter, Dillon sprinted through a pit, and with one man to defeat him, forced a lost intervention 30 yards.
Sure, the long-term outcome would have wrapped up a fabulous night for Dillon, but it didn’t quite end. He later scored his second career while carrying a pile of Titans’ players on his shoulders. At boot camp, we saw pictures and heard popular tales about Dillon’s strength, but Sunday night was the first time everyone had seen it.
Show that there can be a bright future in Green Bay. It also showed the reason for the occupation of the belts to him. In response to the Dillon Day 2 selection, many referred to LaFleur’s time with Henry from his season at Tennessee. By comparing the players’ physical stature and gameplay, it was clear that the Packers hoped Dillon would be their own version of Henry. Sunday night offered some hope that it would indeed come true.
Dillon had the best match between the two as Henry finished the match with 23 holders at 98 yards and no touchdown. Currently, Dillon’s role cannot be decided once Jones and Williams return to full health. For Green Bay having three viable jogging options is quite problematic.
“It’s very exciting when you have three defenses that you can trust so much,” LaFleur said He said. “All three of these men, for me, are rookies in this league.”
This performance could be Dillon’s most memorable entry-level season, but even if that were the case, the Packers would be happy. At the very least, Dillon has shown that this crime can still play at a high level with him as the primary setback.