Packers Teammates of the Week: Running Backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks (Again)

Most weeks, the Packers have produced plenty of choices for Teammates of the Week. After a game like Monday night's disappointing loss to the Bears, however, the pool of candidates isn't quite so large.

But don't take that to mean this week's winners Eddie Lacy and James Starks didn't earn the honor. The two combined for 190 yards with both scoring touchdowns and averaging 6.7 yards per carry or better. That's exactly the kind of performance an offense needs when it loses its quarterback, especially when that quarterback is Aaron Rodgers.

Starks has now played well in every game he's received a carry. Monday night, his best play was a 32-yard touchdown gallop that was not dissimilar from his 25-yard score a week earlier. His improved play has allowed the Packers to maintain the quality of their ground game even when Lacy needs a breather.

Speaking of Lacy, he responded to Rodgers' departure with the best game of his brief professional career. The stat line alone reads like a dream: 150 yards on 22 carries (average of 6.8 per carry) with a long run of 56 yards and a touchdown, but the numbers alone don't do him justice. After Rodgers went down, Chicago regularly stacked the box with eight defenders. Against a defense hell-bent on stopping him at all costs, Lacy still managed many big gains and crucial third down conversions.

While the Packers fell short of defeating the Bears, they managed to stay in the game because of the play of their running backs. For that, they are worthy recipients of Teammates of the Week honors.