Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) runs the ball against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Aaron Jones knows exactly what he will do if he scores a touchdown at Lambeau Field, where he spent the first seven years of his career.
“I’m definitely leaping up there,” Jones said this week.
Would Packers fans embrace him in his Lambeau Leap? Boo him? Maybe both?
Jones is in his first season with the rival Minnesota Vikings (3-0), who will visit the Green Bay Packers (2-1) on Sunday afternoon in an NFC North battle.
The Packers released Jones during the offseason and the Vikings wasted little time in adding him to their roster. He has responded with 325 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in his first three games for Minnesota, which is one of five remaining teams in the NFL that have yet to lose.
Green Bay has been nearly as impressive to start the season, particularly considering that it lost starting quarterback Jordan Love to a knee injury at the end of its season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Backup Malik Willis has stepped in and helped Green Bay do more than just stay competitive. The Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 in Week 2 before following that up last week with a 30-14 road win against the Tennessee Titans.
This week, Love said that his knee is feeling better and he is moving without as many limitations. But his status remains uncertain for this week against the Vikings.
“I’m trying to push it, and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was,” Love said. “But definitely, you look at this week — an NFC North opponent, 3-0 team, really good team — so definitely it would mean a lot to get back and push myself to get back for this game.”
Love practiced in full pads Wednesday and Thursday, a sign he’s closing on his targeted return.
Willis has proved to be a capable backup plan. He posted a 120.9 passer rating last week against Tennessee, against whom he completed 13 of 19 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown.
The Vikings also have benefited from a comeback story at their most important position. Sam Darnold has thrived in his first season with the team, completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 657 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions.
Darnold briefly left last week’s contest against the Houston Texans because of a knee injury but returned later in the game. He is expected to be able to play this weekend and was back at practice without limitations on Thursday.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he was grateful that Darnold escaped serious injury.
“I’ve been very excited about the start that Sam has gotten off to,” O’Connell said. “I’m having an absolute blast coaching him. So when I saw him go down in the moment, there was the initial feeling. … And then he comes back in the game, and I’m holding the call sheet, so I can’t clap like everybody else did.”
Both teams also have benefited from playmakers on defense to start the season.
Patrick Jones II and Jonathan Greenard lead the Vikings with four sacks apiece. Teammate Andrew Van Ginkel has three sacks to go along with a pick-six.
Green Bay is led by Devonte Wyatt with three sacks. Safety Xavier McKinney also has shined in the secondary with an NFL-best three interceptions.
This will be the 128th all-time meeting between the rivals, including playoffs. Green Bay leads the series 66-58-3.
Jones cannot wait for the next matchup.
“I’m definitely excited to go back, that’s where it all started for me,” he said. “Just a moment of gratitude, a full-circle moment.”
–Field Level Media
