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Add Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy to the list of big fantasy disappointments after the first quarter of the 2014 season. He’s just barely getting three yards per carry and has rushed the ball a total of 53 times so far this season. Fortunately for his owners, Lacy finally found the end zone against the Chicago Bears on a two-yard goal line carry. That was his only highlight from Sunday afternoon’s game at Soldier Field.
In Lacy’s defense, he has played against some of the better teams in the NFL when it comes to stopping the run. The Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets have two of the top three rushing defenses and the Detroit Lions are comfortably in the top 10. However, the Bears aren’t nearly up to the level of those three teams and Lacy still struggled, averaging 2.8 yards on a season-high 17 attempts.
This Thursday, during prime time, Lacy and the Green Bay Packers take on a very average Minnesota Vikings rush defense. The Vikings are giving up 113 yards per game to opposing rushing attacks. Regardless, Green Bay just doesn’t have the patience to rush the ball for subpar results. Especially when Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson can seemingly hookup at will for big yardage and touchdowns.
Green Bay has only rushed the ball 83 times so far in 2014, putting it near the bottom of the list in rush attempts among the NFL. Having one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and skilled receivers means offensive coordinator Tom Clements isn’t going to worry about getting Lacy touches. It’s going to be pretty hard for him to find momentum in 2014, and don’t expect much Thursday night.
Eddie Lacy Week 5 Projection: 14 carries for 42 yards. Zero Touchdowns.
Ryan Ball is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RyanBall89.
