7 Packers who have exceeded expectations heading into Week 13 bye

Following an extended start to the season—12 straight games—the Green Bay Packers are surely taking the bye week to catch their breath and regroup for the final stretch. While some players are looking to turn their season around, there are a number of players who have exceeded expectations up to this point in the season.

At 9-3, the Packers are in second place in the NFC solely behind the 9-2 Arizona Cardinals whom they beat in October. That’s a great position to be in because the Packers are through the most difficult part of their schedule and own a tie-breaker with Arizona should they finish with the same record.

A large part of Green Bay’s success is due to these seven players exceeding expectations this season.

These seven players on the Green Bay Packers have exceeded expectations and given the team a boost heading into their Week 13 bye.

Packers who have exceeded expectations: A.J. Dillon

Green Bay couldn’t keep all of their free agents last offseason and decided to let backup running back Jamaal Williams go despite his desire to stay with the team. Williams was a solid backup to Aaron Jones during his four years with the Packers, but Green Bay used a 2020 second-round pick on A.J. Dillon as the potential heir apparent to both Williams and Jones.

Surprisingly, Green Bay re-signed Jones, placing Dillon in the backup role.

In his second year in the NFL, Dillon has exceeded everyone’s expectations. His PFF grade of 85.2 ranks fifth among 59 qualified running backs and second on the team (behind Davante Adams). Dillon has shown he’s much more than a power back with massive thighs, as his nimble feet and soft hands have been highlighted in the passing game. He’s only getting better as the season goes on and expect him to thrive in the cold playoff environment of Lambeau Field.