Green Bay Packers' Aaron Jones runs during the first half against the Carolina Panthers Saturday in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)  Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones says he focuses his training all year to make sure he’s in peak form as the season gets older and the weather gets colder.

“I think It’s all about investing into your body,” Jones said after rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown in a 24-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night. “It’s what you need to play. You don’t get a second body. You’ve got to be out there and got to be ready to play at all times.”

Jones is putting together a second consecutive productive December, which gives the Packers one more reason for confidence as they gear up for the postseason.

With the Packers on pace to earn the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs, they believe they have a collection of running backs who will thrive in cold weather.

The Carolina game showed how the Packers might need to lean more on their rushing attack down the stretch as defenses focus on containing MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers, who threw for a season-low 145 yards against the Panthers.

“I think in the National Football League, especially when you’re talking about December football going into the playoffs, you’ve got to find different ways to win the game,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday.

Green Bay (11-3) already has clinched the NFC North title and has a one-game lead over New Orleans (10-4) and Seattle (10-4) in the race for the conference’s best overall record.

Jones has rushed for 344 yards in three December games this season, including a 130-yard effort in a 30-16 triumph over Philadelphia on Dec. 6. Last season, he rushed for at least 100 yards in three of the Packers’ last four regular-season games.

He could use a late-season push with his contract set to expire at the end of the season. Jones switched agents and hired Rosenhaus Sports this month as he prepares for his potential free agency.

The Packers’ Sunday night home game with the Tennessee Titans (10-4) should help prepare them for the playoffs.

BENGALS STUN STEELERS: The Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) lost their third straight game Monday, falling the Cincinnati Bengals 27-17, failing to clinch the AFC North.