Why They Won: Green Bay Packers defeat Detroit Lions at Lambeau … again

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back

(27) is tackled by Detroit Lions linebacker

(54) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Wrecking Ball

Eddie Lacy may have had a slow start to the year, but since recovering from that he’s been irreplaceable in terms of his positive impact for the offense.

That impact shows through his production for sure. He managed to be the only rusher all year to reach the 100-yard plateau against the Lions’ terrorizing defensive front.

It is more than simple statistics. He brings a powerful attitude and a forceful mindset to the game that resonates with the entire team.

Really, his impact is in a lot of ways what Marshawn Lynch has been able to do for the Seahawks. Now I’m not saying he is Beast Mode here, but he does at least bring a Beast-Mode-Lite quality to these Packers.

His addition has slowly been changing opinions on the Packers since he came to Green Bay; for years, the Packers were considered to be a finesse team.

That isn’t true anymore. While other years in the recent past may have seen this team as one that could be pushed around and knocked off their game, the team that now takes the field can beat you with any facet of the game in any way you or they so choose.

Having someone like Lacy in the running game bringing that formerly-lacking hard-nosed intensity on every play takes what was a highly skilled and dangerous team on any given week and made them a nightmare both on paper and on the gridiron.

Whoever faces the Packers in the playoffs should take notice; if you want to try forcing Green Bay to run, they’ll be glad to do so. And they’ll dare them to stop this bulldozer of a runner.

My money lands firmly in the corner of the bulldozer.

Next: Cobb continues to rise in value