Vikings running back Aaron Jones worked in the win over the Bears

“Aaron Jones is going to be Aaron Jones no matter what defense they play,” Jefferson said. “It’s crazy to me to see how much effort he puts in after the first contact. Fighting for the extra yards and getting the first downs, that’s the biggest thing. It’s just great to extend those offenses, make those big plays so we can keep the ball moving – having a back like that is great.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Jones had 55 yards after contact, averaging 3.06 per carry against the Bears.

PFF credits 653 (66.7%) of his 979 rushing yards this season as after-contact yards. This is the tenth best value in the league among all running backs. Eagles running back and MVP candidate Saquon Barkley leads with 956 yards after contact.

Even though it was a reception and not a rush, Jones showed he was fighting for extra yards as he passed a Bears defender at his feet, ran another 7 yards and then extended his arm to reach the first-down marker when a defender slammed into him.

The play turned into a third-and-17, and the Vikings scored a field goal at the end of the drive, extending their lead to 13-0 early in the second quarter.

Even on his 1-yard touchdown rush, Jones rose over a defender who grabbed him by the ankles to score the score after breaking the C-gap between offensive lineman Brian O’Neill and wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr had.