The Packers finally have embraced the run. In fact, they’ve embraced it so much that they now want to back off a bit.
Via Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the Packers want to reel in rookie Eddie Lacy’s touches. Against the Vikings in Week Eight, Lacy had a whopping 29 carries and four receptions.
“We had an extra day [to recover] this week with the Monday night game, that plays into it too,” said Packers running backs coach Alex Van Pelt. “But we’re definitely monitoring the carries for him, try to get him back down to around 20.”
The Packers want to get more opportunities for James Starks, who had seven carries for 57 yards against the Vikings.
Rookie Jonathan Franklin has become the forgotten man on offense, with only six total carries since he rushed for more than 100 yards against the Bengals.
For the previously pass-happy Packers, it’s a strange development. But it’s the kind of balance they need to get beyond the divisional round for the first time since 2010.