The Green Bay Packers are coming into Week 12 with Eddie Lacy as the starting running back over James Starks after Lacy had a strong performance in the win over the Vikings. Aaron Rodgers has Davante Adams, James Jones and Randall Cobb as the best fantasy football start options heading into the matchup Thursday with the Chicago Bears.
The Packers have been using James Starks more with Lacy struggling this season, but it looks like Lacy finally has his feet back under him. Lacy has dealt with injuries and inconsistency this season and now the Packers hope that he has broken out of his funk. Lacy only had 33 carries in his previous four games before Week 10 and he sat out that game with a groin injury. Lacy was able to return this week and he had his best game of the season, with highs of 22 carries and 100 yards.
The Packers snapped a three game losing streak with the win over the Vikings and Lacy now should be in line to start over Starks, who had just eight carries against Minnesota. Mike McCarthy said in his press conference this week that Starks and Lacy will be a "one-two punch" going forward, but the team likely will use the hot hand as the lead running back. Lacy was limited in practice on Monday with an ankle issue, but he was able to practice in full on Tuesday and that puts him on track for Thursday against the Bears.
Lacy has just 408 yards in nine games this season, but he broke out this past weekend against one of the top defensive units in the league and that should give him some confidence moving forward. Lacy did not have 20-plus carries in any game this season before Week 11 and he averaged 4.5 yards per carry against the Vikings and that is a positive sign for the Packers. The team now is in control in the NFC North after winning head to head against the Vikings and they will try to add another win against the Bears on Thursday.
Starks still should get carries on Thursday, but fantasy football owners should expect Lacy to be the lead back as long as he remains healthy. Aaron Rodgers had a solid game against the Vikings to help the Packers snap a three game losing streak and now he will be looking to make it two in a row with a victory over the Bears. James Jones bounced back with a strong game after being shutout in the previous week and along with Davante Adams, Jones should be a solid fantasy start option on Thursday.
Jones had six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown on Sunday and that was his first score in three games for the Packers. Jones and Rodgers continue to show they have strong chemistry and that could mean another big game on Thursday night. Adams had a down game in Week 11, but he has been playing better since returning from an injury, putting up 17 catches in his previous two games before playing the Vikings.