Green Bay Packers: Week 15 MVP and other Awards

The Green Bay Packers held on for a 24-16 win over the Panthers, so it’s time for some awards to the top performers.

Offensive MVP – Aaron Jones

This week, it was the running game that came through for the Green Bay Packers, and Aaron Jones led the way with 145 yards on the ground. He did it on 20 carries, averaging an astonishing 7.3 yards per attempt. The Panthers are the 28th run defense in the league by yards per carry, so the rushing attack was going to be a big key coming into the game. Even so, Jones exceeded expectations, and they probably should have handed it to him a few more times.

In the last couple of years, Aaron Jones has finally brought much-needed balance to this Green Bay offense that had all been solely on the arm of Aaron Rodgers. Their ability to run the ball this year has opened up countless possibilities on offense, and their play-action game has been one of the best in the league. That, combined with Jones’ ability to make quick jump cuts and have explosive plays, like his 46-yard run Saturday night., makes this offense even more dangerous.

Defensive MVP – Adrian Amos

Adrian Amos had his best defensive game of the season on Saturday night, making multiple big plays in key situations. His three passes defended almost doubled his season total and included one on a third down to force the Panthers to punt and one in the end zone to save a touchdown. He also flew around in other aspects of the game and was the team’s second-leading tackler, tying his season-high with seven.

One of those tackles came on Teddy Bridgewater as he was scrambling from the pocket and was recorded as a sack because he didn’t quite get back to the line of scrimmage on the play. The Green Bay Packers’ safety play has ramped up in a big way the last few weeks, with Savage and now Amos making big plays all over the field. They’ve both played well down in the box, and that helps the run defense immensely while helping the middle of the field coverage.

Old Reliable Award – Mason Crosby

Two weeks in a row, kicker Mason Crosby has been asked to his a 50+ yard field goal to ice the game, and both times he’s nailed it. Last week was even more impressive, but this game’s 51-yarder was equally vital to the win. It gave the Pack a two-possession lead with just 3 minutes and 39 seconds to go and was the reason Panthers head coach Matt Rhule decided to kick a field goal with the Panthers on Green Bay’s 15 instead of trying to go in for the touchdown.

With the number of games that have been lost by missed kicks this season in the NFL, Crosby should be appreciated more than ever. He hasn’t missed a field goal all season, and his poise in the clutch is incredible. We’ve been extremely lucky to have Crosby here for as long as he has been, and finding someone as consistent as he is will be a tall task when he’s gone.

Dikembe Mutombo Award – Krys Barnes

The biggest play of this game was made at the most crucial time by Krys Barnes on the goal line. On the 12th play of a drive that started all the way back at the Carolina 25, the Panthers lined up for first and goal on the Green Bay Packers’ one-yard line.

They elected to go for the quarterback sneak, and as Teddy Bridgewater attempted to leap over the line and stick the ball out in front of him, he was denied by Krys Barnes. Barnes swatted the ball away, just as if a player were going for a dunk in basketball. Kevin King then picked it up and took it all the way back to the Carolina 48. Without this play, the Panthers likely score a touchdown to make it 14-10, and we have a much more interesting game on our hands. Let’s all thank Barnes for emulating his inner Mutombo and not letting Bridgewater score.

Celebration of the Week – Aaron Rodgers

The belt is alive in well in Green Bay, as Aaron Rodgers donned it again after he ran it in from six yards out in the second quarter. Last week, on the Pat McAfee Show, he was asked if the belt was dead because he didn’t do it on his rushing touchdown against the Lions. He reassured McAfee and cheeseheads everywhere that it wasn’t dead, but he was just tired after the long drive. Fortunately, this time it was the third play of the quarter, so a fresh Rodgers could pull out his signature move.

Unlike last year’s belt, which finished second in the final Celebration of the Year standings, this one was not done in revenge against someone who had mocked it as Raiders’ defensive lineman Maxx Crosby did last season. For that reason, it won’t be extremely high on the list, but the belt always deserves respect.

Celebration of the Year Leaderboard

1. Aaron Rodgers – Hingle Mccringleberry
2. Soul Train Line
3. Za’Darius Smith – Rest in Heaven Breonna Taylor
4. Aaron Rodgers – Michael Jordan Shrug
5. Adams and Lazard – Crowning of Rodgers
6. Aaron Rodgers – The Belt
7. Aaron Rodgers – I Love Gold
8. Jamaal Williams – Being a complete goofball
9. Packers Defense – Hitting the Woah
10. Packers Defense – Love Don’t Cost a Thing
11. Chandon Sullivan – Lambeau Leap
12. Ifeadi Odenigbo – Premature Airplane

So what did you think of the Green Bay Packers’ win this week? Is there anything you’d change on the Celebration of the Year leaderboard? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @DairylandXpress.