4 key Panthers matchups to watch at Packers in Week 15
By Dean Jones
Derrick Brown vs. Aaron Jones
Derrick Brown‘s level of production has been encouraging of late. The defensive tackle came into the league with a big reputation at being taken No. 7 overall by the Carolina Panthers and now the growing pains are out of the way, it appears that the organization has a real player on their hands.
Brown’s ability to stop the run has been there for all to see. The former Auburn standout leads all rookies in this category and he’ll need to showcase this on Saturday Night Football to counteract the threat posed by Green Bay’s star running back Aaron Jones.
The likes of Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers might get more of the limelight. But one could argue that Jones is equally as vital to their chances of lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.
Jones has accumulated 1,108 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns this season – 823 of which have come on the ground. He is averaging 5.1 yards-per-carry and his ability to gain valuable yards after contact has come with an eye-popping number of 464 through 13 games.
The Packers have a stout offensive line that Brown must overcome in his pursuit of Jones. But the rookie has shown plenty to suggest he is more than capable of making a significant impact providing some early momentum can be generated.