Always Ready is a weekly feature that looks at NFL players who excelled after being thrust into larger roles this past week.
James Starks
Week 2 line: 20 carries, 95 yards, 4 receptions, 11 yards
Eddie Lacy didn't last through the opening drive of Sunday night's NFC title game rematch between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
However, the Packers' running game remained on track as James Starks stepped in and averaged 4.8 yards per carry on the night.
The most significant run from Starks came on a field-flipping 35-yard scamper in the third quarter that led to a field goal from Mason Crosby. That began a run of 14 unanswered points from the Packers as they avenged their January loss to the Seahawks with a 27-17 victory at Lambeau Field.
Brandon Weeden
Week 2 line: 7-of-7, 73 yards, TD, 7 rushing yards
A week after Tony Romo showed just how valuable he is to the Dallas Cowboys by executing a last-minute touchdown drive to knock off the New York Giants, emotions in Arlington flipped to the other end of the spectrum when the franchise's star quarterback was forced out of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles with what turned out to be a fractured left clavicle.
While the prospect of playing without Romo for eight weeks isn't ideal for Cowboys fans, backup quarterback Brandon Weeden helped ease the pain for the time being.
Weeden completed all seven of his pass attempts against the Eagles, including a 42-yard touchdown strike to Terrance Williams that sealed the win. With the 20-10 victory in Philadelphia, the Cowboys remain atop the NFC East, two full games ahead of the Eagles and Giants.
Giovani Bernard
Week 2 line: 20 carries, 123 yards, 3 receptions, 16 yards
Jeremy Hill was stricken with a bad case of fumblitis in Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers, so the Cincinnati Bengals' other young running back took advantage of the opportunity and produced a strong game.
On a day in which Hill put the ball on the carpet twice, Giovani Bernard drew 23 touches - a number he'd reached only once in his first two seasons in Cincinnati.
Bernard made the most of the extra usage, dicing up the Charger defense to the tune of a 6.2 yards per carry average for the day. He also hauled in all three of his targets for 16 yards, helping the Bengals eke out a 24-19 victory.
