Packers running back Eddie Lacy came back to haunt the Falcons on ‘Monday Night Football.’
Lacy got off to a fast start as he had 11 carries and 67 yards rushing and five catches for 33 yards late in the third quarter as he helped to power the Packers’ offense.
The Falcons won the bidding war for running back Steven Jackson back in March 2013.
Jackson, who was ready to leave St. Louis after his stellar career, picked the Falcons over the Packers. The Falcons came with a more lucrative over three-year, $12 million deal which included $4 million guaranteed.
With the Falcons believing that they solved their running back situation by signing the three-time Pro Bowler in Jackson, they selected cornerback Robert Alford in the second round with the 60th overall pick.
The Packers, still in need of a running back, selected Lacy, who played at Alabama, with the 61st pick in the draft.
Since the moves were made, Lacy has been much more production than Jackson, who turned 30 four months after the Falcons’ signed him.
Last season, Lacy had 284 carries for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named the Pro Football Writers of America’s rookie of the year. In 2013, Jackson rushed for 543 yards on 157 carries and scored six touchdowns.
This season, going into the Monday Night Football game, Lacy had out-rushed Jackson 770 yards to 602 yards. He had six touchdowns to Jackson’s five.
Injury report: Falcons safety William Moore left the game with a foot injury in the first quarter. His return to the game was questioanble.
Moore returned last week against Arizona after missing seven games with a shoulder injury.
Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury.
Matthews family reunion: Before facing his cousin and Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews, Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews III hosted the Matthews family reunion.
Their former NFL dads, Clay Jr and Bruce, their wives along with siblings and a few cousins were over the house before the game.
Clay III and Jake were expected to face off at times during the game.
“He was always a little bit older than me, but I’m excited to play against him,” Matthews said. “Just from everything that I’ve seen on film, he’s a great player. My Dad would always say when they were scouting Cleveland, going into the week, we have to look after this guy, he’s a game wrecker and he was talking about his brother and how much pride he would take in that.”
Matthews felt similarly about facing his cousin.
“I’ve been feeling the same way,” Jake Matthews said. “Clay is definitely a game-wrecker on their defense. I take a lot of pride in that and him being a part of our family and being such a good player.”
Jake tried to study all of Clay III’s moving leading up to the game.
“One of the things I noticed on film is that he’s really competitive,” Jake Matthews said. “He finishes every play. He’s got a really great motor. He finishes each play from whistle to whistle.”
Offensive line corner: The Falcons offensive line has been making strides leading into the Green game Bay.
“One of the things that Coach (Mike) Tice keeps saying is keep stacking weeks together,” left tackle Jake Matthews said. “I think this is our sixth week together with the same five guys up front. Our communications is getting better. We are feeling more comfortable with each other. I think that’s why we’ve had so much success in the run game and overall. We have to just keep building on that.”
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