At various times during the 2022 NFL season, Green Bay Packers fans were likely screaming at their TVs the above four words. Whether it was wanting Aaron Jones to get more rushing attempts (Green Bay was 3-7 when Jones got 12 or fewer rushing attempts in a game) or just wanting the team to commit to the running game (the Packers were 2-8 in games when they had less than 30 rushing attempts in a game in 2022), there was frustration among the Packers’ faithful when it came to play calling last season.
Let’s look at two stats which will highlight the 2022 Packers running game: Having 30 or more rushing attempts in game, and 2022 games with 130 or more rushing yards.
Green Bay Packers were 6-1 in 2022 games when they had 130 or more rushing yards
First, 130 yards rushing. The Packers were 6-1 in games when they had 130 or more rushing yards in a game in 2022, 2-8 in games when their rushing total fell below 130 yards. In 2022, NFL teams combined had a 141-77-2 record in games when they rushed for 130 or more yards in a contest, that’s a .645 winning percentage. That’s 11 wins in a 17-game season, enough wins to reach the playoffs. The Philadelphia Eagles were a perfect 10-0 in games with 130 or more rushing yards in 2022.
The Packers have won 27 of their last 28 games when they rushed for 130 or more yards in a game. In fact, the Pack from 2013-22 were 47-7-1 (a winning percentage of .864) in games when they rushed for 130+ yards. That’s the highest winning percentage of any of the 32 NFL teams in that stat and timeframe.
Packers have won 40 of their last 41 games when they run the ball 30 or more times in a game
Second, 30 or more rushing attempts in a game. The Packers were 6-1 in games last season when they attempted 30 or more rushes (as noted above, 2-8 in games with less than 30 rushing attempts). In the NFL in 2022, teams were 147-49-3 (.746 winning percentage) when they attempted 30 or more rushes in a contest. Super Bowl opponents, Philadelphia and Kansas City, were a combined 15-0 in such games (the Eagles were 12-0, the Chiefs 3-0).
The Packers have won 40 of their last 41 games in which they attempted 30 or more rushes. If we check the box scores from 2013-22, the Packers are one of four teams since 2013 to have a winning percentage above .900 in games when they had 30 or more rushes; they were 44-4-1 (.908). The other three teams: Miami (.943), New Orleans (.918) and Kansas City (.917).
There are a few reasons which go into these above stats: Getting an early lead, not playing from behind, a solid running game that helps run the clock out when ahead late in the game. But based strictly on numbers and stats, you can’t argue with the historical analytics of these stats. The Packers just need to find a way to see these numbers more often in the box score in more games in 2023.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @Statsontapp and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content.
