PACKERS

Aaron Jones makes impact among top Packers rushing performances in Aaron Rodgers era

JR Radcliffe

Packers News

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones celebrates a touchdown with the Lambeau Leap during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins.

It only seems like the Packers pass on every down; actually, come to think of it, that's pretty close to true. But Aaron Jones has quickly compiled a number of individual rushing performances that rank among the best in the Aaron Rodgers era, and that included Sunday's big effort in a win over the Miami Dolphins.

Here's a summary of the Packers' 12 best individual rushing totals since Aaron Rodgers assumed the helm in 2008.

Ty Montgomery, Dec. 18, 2016 vs. Bears (162 yards)

Ty Montgomery was released by the Packers two weeks ago, but he does own the biggest individual rushing game by a Packers player in the Aaron Rodgers era.

Facing the struggling Bears in a game the Packers had to have, Green Bay held off a late charge for a 30-27 win. Montgomery, converted from wide receiver midway through the season, had his best game running the football, taking the rock 16 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns, with a 61-yard carry his longest of the day. Mason Crosby's field goal as time expired saved the Packers from a collapse.

Eddie Lacy, Nov. 4, 2013 vs. Bears (150 yards)

Lacy rampaged 22 times for 150 yards and a score, with a run of 56 yards his best of the day. The Bears, however, got the better of the Packers at Lambeau Field in a 27-20 outcome that put both teams at 5-3, and it's a game that's remembered for an Aaron Rodgers injury that knocked him out until late in the season. The Packers famously won the rematch in the final game of the season ("He's got Cobb!").

Ryan Grant, Oct. 25, 2009 vs. Browns (148 yards)

Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Green Bay.

In a no-contest, 31-3 Packers win, Grant did the bulk of the work with 27 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown. It was Grant's biggest game in a year during which he ran for 1,253 yards.

Aaron Jones, Nov. 11, 2018 vs. Dolphins (145 yards)

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs against the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field Sunday, November 11, 2018 in Green Bay, Wis. Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

The revelation of Aaron Jones continued Sunday with his 15-rush, 145-yard performance that featured two touchdowns. He also caught three balls for 27 yards and helped the Packers handle the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field, 31-12.

Eddie Lacy, Dec. 15, 2013 vs. Cowboys (141 yards)

It might be Lacy's biggest game in his career, since it came in a must-win in Dallas with injured Aaron Rodgers watching on the sideline. His 1-yard touchdown with 1:31 to go gave the Packers the edge they needed for an improbable 37-36 win, and he finished the day with 21 carries for 141 yards with the score. He also caught four passes for 30 yards.

Ryan Grant, Dec. 13, 2009 vs. Bears (137 yards)

Grant's 1-yard run with 12:39 to go helped the Packers land a 21-14 victory at Soldier Field. He took the ball 20 times and ran 137 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown dash less than 2 minutes into the game. He finished with the two scores.

James Starks, Sept. 15, 2013 vs. Washington (132 yards)

Starks ran 20 times for 132 yards and a touchdown, with the score coming from 32 yards out in the third quarter as the Packers built a big lead en route to a 38-20 win.

Aaron Jones, Oct. 22, 2017 vs. Saints (131 yards)

Perhaps it's the performance that truly put Jones on the map, in the first week after Rodgers sustained an injury after getting sacked by Minnesota's Anthony Barr. The rookie ran for 131 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, including a 46-yard scamper for a touchdown 2 minutes into the game, although the Saints ultimately prevailed against a Rodgers-less Packers, 26-17.

Ryan Grant, Nov. 22, 2009 vs. 49ers (129 yards)

Grant ran 21 times for 129 yards and a score in a 30-24 victory over the visiting 49ers.

Aaron Jones, Oct. 8, 2017 vs. Cowboys (125 yards)

Jones took the ball 19 times and ran for 125 yards with a touchdown, helping the Packers rally for a 35-31 win over the Dallas Cowboys in a game that moved Green Bay to 4-1 in a hugely promising start to the season. The Packers wound up missing the playoffs after Aaron Rodgers was hurt the following week.

Eddie Lacy, Nov. 23, 2014 vs. Vikings (125 yards)

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) runs the ball during their game Sunday, November 24, 2013 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Green Bay Packers tied the Minnesota Vikings 26-26.

Lacy caught a 10-yard touchdown pass that accounted for the winning points midway through the fourth quarter of a 24-21 win over the Vikings, but he did the majority of his damage on the ground, running 25 times for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Eddie Lacy, Dec. 13, 2015 vs. Cowboys (124 yards)

Lacy carried the ball 24 times for 124 yards and a score that capped the scoring in Green Bay's 28-7 victory at home.

James Starks, Jan. 9, 2011 vs. Eagles in playoffs (123 yards)

Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) runs with the ball against Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Nigel Bradham (53) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field.

It may be low on this list by total yardage, but it's maybe the most memorable rushing performance of the Rodgers era. In the 2010 wild-card game in Philadelphia, Starks ran 23 times for 132 yards and supplemented an attack that prevailed, 21-16, in the first playoff victory on the way to the Super Bowl. Starks became one of the heroes of that playoff run.

Bonus: TWO players, Dec. 28, 2008 vs. Lions (106 yards apiece)

Believe it or not, there was a game in the Aaron Rodgers era in which two different guys cleared 100 yards. Both Ryan Grant and DeShawn Wynn ran for 106 in a 31-21 win over Detroit. Wynn's 73-yard touchdown in the first quarter helped the cause,and he finished with seven carries while Grant had 19. They combined for four catches and 39 yards.