The Green Bay Packers face the Buffalo Bills Sunday in Buffalo and may have to do so without their workhorse running back Eddie Lacy. While it now looks like Lacy will be available his effectiveness is certainly in question. The Packers have a capable backup in James Starks but Starks is better off the bench than as a starter and has a hard time staying healthy.
Lacy may not have as many rushing yards so far this year as he did in his Rookie of Year campaign last year, but his improved pass catching ability has added a new dynamic to the Packers’ offense. This year the Packers have returned the long lost screen pass to the playbook and Lacy has been a beast on the receiving end. The Bills are the best in the league at rushing the quarterback so a successful screen game would certainly help ease that pressure.
Lacy has also developed into a three-down back because of his improved pass blocking. Without a healthy Lacy the Packers may have to go back to using fullback James Kuhn on third downs to help protect Aaron Rodgers. Head coach Mike McCarthy may say that Starks is a three-down back but against a team like the Bills letting him pass block would be foolish.
McCarthy is being coy about how much Lacy will play but one has to wonder if it isn’t a little risky playing him too much considering he has a hip injury and they are playing on artificial turf. I’m guessing he dresses but doesn’t see a lot of action. This will be a huge challenge for McCarthy.