Green Bay Packers: 5 Bold predictions for Week 8 vs. Vikings

2. Williams notches 200 total yards

Aaron Jones was forced to miss the Packers’ Week 7 game due to injury, which put the onus on Jamaal Williams — not second-round rookie AJ Dillon — to take the workman’s load out of the backfield. As many in Green Bay have known for quite some time, Williams proved effective when called upon as he stepped up in a big way. Now, with Jones out against the Vikings, more of the same should be in store.

For starters, Williams was simply a big part of the offense against a bad defense and had success moving the ball, which sets up for a similar scenario in Week 8. Against Houston, Williams had 19 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown but also was second on the team in receiving with four receptions for 37 yards. Again, he was a big factor in the offense, especially in closing out the game.

More importantly for the matchup with Minnesota, the weather forecast for Sunday at Lambeau Field is calling for plenty of wind. While I still think Rodgers and Adams make some things work, I don’t expect the Pack to air it out otherwise. That means plenty of carries and short dump-offs for Williams, which should open him up for plenty of production.

Williams isn’t the same level of player as Jones — no one would make the mistake of saying otherwise. However, he is one of the best backup running backs in the league. Given his talent, opportunity and the situation at hand, he’ll have a monstrous outing with 200 total yards against Minnesota in Week 8.