Eddie Lacy and James Starks' Updated 2013 Fantasy Outlook After Week 8

The Green Bay Packers have a formidable rushing attack with the tandem of Eddie Lacy and James Starks, who combined for 151 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in Sunday night's 44-31 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

That performance at Mall of America Field against an NFC North foe is encouraging, even though the Vikings, who fell to 1-6, don't have the most formidable defense.

From a fantasy standpoint, it appears the second-round rookie Lacy has more upside than his smaller but speedier teammate.

Lacy was granted 29 carries—his fourth consecutive game with 20 or greater. With a thickly built 230-pound frame, it has been a strategy that has worn down opponents and made well on general manager Ted Thompson's high-priced investment.

Although Starks is no pushover himself at 218 pounds, he is still working his way back from a knee injury, as he hadn't played since Week 3's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

For the time being, Lacy is the superior option, even though his 3.2 yards per carry versus Minnesota indicate less explosiveness than the 57 yards Starks accumulated in just seven carries.

As long as quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to fire on all cylinders, there should be running lanes aplenty for whoever lines up in the Green Bay backfield.

However, based on how well Lacy has held up to the workload thus far—and that he's had nine receptions over the past two games—it seems he's likely to remain the featured back.

Before this sudden surge in Green Bay's running game, backs with the franchise had been stay-away fantasy options. Now Lacy has to be considered a player with No. 1-caliber upside and a surefire No. 2 at the moment, while Starks could even be a flex play himself.