James Starks is making Eddie Lacy irrelevant with his recent play, and should continue to factor into the Packers’ attack.
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James Starks (10 carries, 36 yards; 6 rec. 83 yards, 1 TD): Starks has ascended to the top of the pile in Wisconsin and it would appear to be due in large part to the shape he’s in versus that of Eddie Lacy, as discussed last week. “He’s earned that opportunity. Later on in the season, maybe it’ll pick back up, but as of right now, this is just the move that is going to be”.
Lacy has struggled this season, after a lingering ankle injury against Seattle on September 20th.
Lacy has yet to record a 100-yard game this year, and in the last four games he has a grand total of 33 carries for just 78 yards, with three fumbles. Starks averages 4.3 yards per carry and has added more as a receiver, especially on screen passes.
Luckily for McCarthy and the Packers, however, the Lions’ defense ranks 30th in the league against the run while allowing 133.8 yards per game.
“It’s still a tandem, a one-two punch”, Starks said. And don’t miss any of my other NFL Winners this weekend, including our Monday Night Football Play (we are 100% on Mondays this season) and our Division Game of the Month.
The Packers’ ground game has also been on a downswing the past two weeks, with Lacy and Starks combining for 96 yards in losses to Denver and Carolina.
Not by as much as you might think, though.
In the October 18th game against San Diego, Starks started and rushed for 112 yards on 10 carries while Lacy managed just three yards on four carries. “Just going into Detroit”.
So far this season, the Green Bay Packers have not been underdogs once, and they are still considered the favorite to win the NFC, despite falling to the Carolina Panthers, 37-29, last week.
“It’s a great challenge in the way in which our business is conducted, how tough it is, how demanding it is”, said embattled coach Jim Caldwell, who blasted the Detroit media for being too negative. “You’ve got to go out there and be the player you are”. It’s not like I’m just sitting the bench the whole time.
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“I’ve just got to be ready if that’s what coach wants me to do”, he said.
