The Vikings were born in 1961. Last year was one of their worst rushing efforts ever. Their seven rushing touchdowns tied 1996 and 1962 for the fewest in a non-strike year. Their 393 carries were the seventh fewest. Their 1,553 yards were the eighth fewest.

Enter Jones, a special back the Packers gave up on because he’s set to turn 30 on Dec. 2. He’s breathed speed, power and instincts into what was a lifeless part of Kevin O’Connell’s play-calling.

Through eight games a year ago, the Vikings had 586 yards rushing, a 3.55-yard average per carry and a league-worst 73.3 yards per game. This year, the Vikings have 913 yards on 217 carries to rank 21st in average per carry (4.2) and per game (114.1).

Six NFL teams are averaging more than 150 yards rushing per game: Baltimore (182.6), Philadelphia (174.8), Washington (163.9), San Francisco (159.0), Green Bay (154.8) and Detroit (152.6). The Ravens averaged 191.9 through the entire 2020 season and 204.8 the year before, but only one other team topped 150 yards per game in each of those seasons.

“I feel like every couple of years the game changes just a little bit based off what maybe the defense is giving you,” Jones said.

What defenses are giving offenses right now is an industrial-strength dose of two-high safety looks. Jones, an eight-year veteran, said he’s noticed an increase in quarterbacks checking out of passes and into runs rather than vice versa.