Green Bay Packers: News, notes and nuggets for a Mile High slugfest

Oct 18, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Denver Broncos running back

(23) carries the ball as Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) defends in the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Running Attacks (or not)

Surprisingly, the Packers are a top 10 rushing team currently ranked #8 as a team in the NFL averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 127.3 yards per game.

Aaron Rodgers certainly improves those statistics running for first downs when defenders are playing man-to-man defense and pass rushers do not bring Aaron down.

In contrast, the once-vaunted Broncos running attack is ranked a pedestrian #30 in the NFL, averaging only 3.9 yards per attempt and 85 yards per game.

C.J. Anderson has been a flop after coming in last year putting up amazing numbers. Ronnie Hillman has come on recently, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, gaining 323 yards and scoring two rushing TDs.

Eddie Lacy has been disappointing. He hurt both ankles early and his weight has bloomed to an estimated 260 pounds.

Coach Mike McCarthy does not appear concerned about the extra weight affecting Lacy, and said “he looks good” after watching him in individual drills on Monday.

It appears that the bye week came at a good time for Lacy as Coach McCarthy said it’s behind him, and that “I don’t think the injury’s affecting him anymore.”

As for James Starks, whose remarkable performance against the Chargers was just what the Packers needed in the win,now has injury problems (hip) of his own that has limited him in practice.

Next: Wide Receiver game changers