With quarterback Matt Flynn slated to start for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons rightfully are expecting to see a heavy dose of running back Eddie Lacy.
"The way we've been playing run (defense the) last couple weeks, it's a big concern," Falcons coach Mike Smith said this week, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Green Bay had made a concerted effort to run the football this season. We will see a big, strong running back this week who we have to put multiple pads on. We have to tackle much better than we did Sunday."
The Atlanta Falcons have allowed 100-plus rushing yards in nine straight games, namely the Arizona Cardinals' 201-yard performance in Week 8 and Seattle Seahawks' 211-yard bulldozing in Week 10.
Last week, the Falcons allowed 195 rushing yards to the Buffalo Bills, including 149 yards to running back C.J. Spiller on just 15 carries.
Lacy has been mostly held in check since Aaron Rodgers went out with a collarbone injury. Defenses have stacked the box, daring the Packers' backup quarterbacks to beat them.
The rookie running back isn't Adrian Peterson against eight-man fronts, but his bruising style still allows him to create holes. Lacy has 802 rushing yards on 207 carries this season.
We previewed every Week 14 game and "stuck a fork" in another team in the latest "Around The League Podcast."
