Packers vs. Seahawks: 5 reasons NFC Championship isn’t like week 1

Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) runs for a 44-yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

1.) The production of Eddie Lacy

There has been a new staple added to this offense since Green Bay’s Week 1 loss in Seattle, and that has been the play of Eddie Lacy.

Words cannot describe how important Eddie Lacy has been to this offense and how much is game has opened up different opportunities for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to excel.

The ability to run the ball on a consistent basis has been an aspect of the offense Green Bay has needed for quite sometime.  While Lacy didn’t have the productive game the team would have liked in Week 1, he has stepped his game up immensely the past 16 games.

Lacy only had 12 carries for 34 yards in their Week 1 loss, but since then has run for 1,206 yards.  Not only is Lacy utilized in the run game, but he has been effective in the passing game as well.  Lacy has 43 catches for 437 yards this year, and will be needed Sunday.

The combination of Rodgers being limited with his calf and Seattle’s secondary playing their best football of the season, look for Lacy to make a much bigger impact in this game than he did in Week 1.

Next: Exit Sherrod and Harvin