Green Bay Packers ‘Three Cheese’: Week 10 Keys to Victory

Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) runs with the ball during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Green Bay won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

3.  Get Eddie Lacy’s confidence back.

Eddie Lacy has averaged 4.1 yards per carry in 2014, but still has not looked like the dominant runner that Packer fans saw in his rookie year.  At times, he has abandoned his punishing north-south running style and made far too many moves behind the line of scrimmage.

Lacy is not a big-play running back, and he doesn’t need to be.  His value comes in consistently pounding the ball between the tackles, ripping and spinning for 5-7 yard gains.

I fully expect Mike McCarthy to build Lacy’s carries up towards 20 per game as the playoffs approach, but on Sunday, it is more important for him to have quality runs, not just quantity.  Chicago is not strong against the run, and if Aaron Rodgers is able to weaken the defense with some early passes, the front seven could be softened for Lacy to break off some big gains in the second half.

Green Bay’s offense has been great in 2014, but they still have yet to strike the perfect balance between the run and the pass.  This is crucial as the cold weather closes in on Lambeau, and playoff implications grow by the week.

The Packers will unleash the beast soon, but Eddie Lacy needs return to his instinctual and physical running style before he earns 20+ carries.  This Sunday could be the perfect opportunity for him to do so, and he will need to play a leading role if the Packers hope to win.