Cheese Curds, 1/3: Jaire Alexander, Aaron Jones look to step up in playoff prime time

A few of the Green Bay Packers’ stars have shined brightly this year under the lights at times. While Aaron Rodgers has had some struggles in prime time games this season, the other Aaron has had a few tremendous performances.

Aaron Jones started off a bit slowly in night games this year, with games of 39, 58, and 60 total yards against the Bears, Eagles, and Lions, respectively. But he had two of his biggest games of the year under the lights: a 226-yard, two-score game against the Chiefs and a 160-yard, two-touchdown performance in Minnesota in week 16. Over the entire season, however, Jones’ contributions to the offense have made it one of the best in the league, showing a massive drop-off from him to his backup.

Meanwhile, cornerback Jaire Alexander has been more consistently great in night games this year. Today’s curds find a close look at his numbers in night games, and he is looking forward to the sun going down prior to kickoff in every one of the Packers’ potential postseason games.

Green Bay got the Sunday evening game in the Divisional round, the NFC Championship is the late game the following week, and the Super Bowl is of course in prime time every year. If the Packers advance, it should be due in part to good play from their top cornerback, whose star burns even more brightly when the stadium lights come on.

Has Packers CB Jaire Alexander performed big in prime-time games? – The Athletic (subscription required)
The answer to the headline question is unequivocally yes. Alexander's best games this year have come in prime time, allowing just 13 completions and two touchdowns on 30 targets in six night games this year. With nothing but late games possible in the playoffs, Alexander looks poised to have a big postseason.

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One of the concerns about Gary coming out of the draft was his shoulder, but it sounds like all systems are go for him to be unhindered in 2020. Here's a look at the team's entire 2019 draft class.

Barnwell's guide to the 2019 NFL playoffs - How all 12 teams can win the Super Bowl | ESPN
Bill Barnwell brings up the expected points added per play argument again when discussing the breakdown between Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. We'll have more on that soon, but let's just say that the offense is still elite with Jones on the field and poor without him.

Aaron Rodgers points to timing as reason for inconsistency in Packers passing game | Packers Wire
Timing is the big thing on Rodgers' mind, and he says that the bye week will be a perfect opportunity to evaluate which passing concepts are clicking and which aren't -- and to pull the latter out of the playbook.

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Greene's injury robbed the Packers of a promising young playmaker, but he appears poised -- and excited -- to be reactivated before the Divisional playoff game.

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