Around the NFC North – Week 6

The offenses around the NFC North are starting to roll heading into week six of NFL action.

Chicago Bears

Coming off an early bye in week five, the Chicago Bears remain in sole possession of first place in the NFC North with a 3-1 record.  The Bears travel to Miami this Sunday to take on the Dolphins at noon CST.  The once 3-0 Dolphins have crashed back down to earth with two straight losses to the Patriots and the Bengals.

The Bears follow their bye week with four straight matchups against AFC East opponents.  Fortunately for the Bears, their matchup with the Patriots comes within the friendly confines of Soldier Field and they play two winnable road games at Miami and Buffalo.

The coming weeks will give an indication on whether the Bears are for real in their contention for the NFC North. 

Detroit Lions

Following their 31-23 dismantling of the Green Bay Packers at home, the Lions enter their bye week this week on a high note by moving to 2-3 and 1-0 in the NFC North.  The Lions built a quick lead and took a 24-0 lead to halftime against the Packers.  In stifling a comeback in the second half, the Lions needed at least one key drive to put the score out of the reach and the Lions offense performed by putting them up 31-14 with just under 13:00 remaining in the game.  The deficit was just too much for the Packers to overcome.

The Lions enter their bye week this week with several key players banged up with injuries.  They’ll be looking to use the time to get players like T.J. Lang and Ezekiel Ansah back up and running when the team travels to Miami to take on the Dolphins in week seven.

Minnesota Vikings

In an NFC Championship Game rematch from last January, the Vikings marched into Philadelphia and handed the Eagles their third loss of the young season by a score of 23-21.  In the game, the Vikings defense stood stout against Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense.  Entering the fourth quarter down 20-6, the Eagles tried to mount a comeback but their efforts were cut short when Vikings kicker Dan Bailey hit a 52 yard field goal with just under three minutes remaining, putting the game out of reach for the Eagles. 

The Vikings offense maintained their strong momentum in the game where Kirk Cousins threw for 301 yards.  Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen became the first NFL player in 57 years to eclipse 100 receiving yards in each of the first five games of a season. 

The win in Philadelphia moved the Vikings to a 2-2-1 record.  This Sunday, they welcome the Arizona Cardinals to US Bank Stadium.  The Vikings schedule sets up friendly over the next two weeks with matchups against the Cardinals and the New York Jets and the team could find a groove prior to facing the New Orleans Saints and three straight NFC North opponents in November.

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Ryan Brunner is an avid Packers fan hailing from Chippewa Falls, WI.  He is a firm believer that punters are NFL players too!  Follow him on Twitter @brunwardo

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Comments (38)

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 11:19 am

I only wish Packer fans would have been this arrogant 5 to 6 years ago on getting rid of Dom Capers.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 11:20 am

Jeez..everyone wants MM head on a silver platter.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 01:14 pm

In defense of the WRs some balls have been thrown high, wobbly and late. However, I will say because of all the practice time missed A Rogers has not been his self. He needs to get double the workout as he is off the injury list.

1. If MM gets M. Lewis to start rolling off his blocks that would take pressure off of Rogers

2. A.Rod needs to get the ball off quicker.

3. They are not running the ball enough and could use play action a lot more.

4. Every once in a while I would like to see two running backs in the backfield to put a little twist on things.

5. Rogers should be healty enough to make those quick to the sideline 1st down misdirection runs.

6. I would like to see more draw plays.
7. I want to see more screen plays. The Packers used to be the most dominant team in screen plays when we had Ahman Green.

8. Have I seen any post routes? Over the shoulder throws? Comeback throws? Slant plays? Crossing routes? The Packers used to have one of the best WR blocking corps. Any no huddle plays?

9. All week we should be practicing RED ZONE TDs. over and over and over.

10. Have I seen any bootlegs inside the 20? Back of the endzone to 6'7 Jimmy Graham

Dunno . probably just losing my mind in x frustration. This team is better than the way they are playing.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 10, 2018 at 01:19 pm

You know you're only allowed so much time on Santa's knee to tell him your wish list and limited to one, right?

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 05:58 pm

Well, we are pretty much stuck with McCarthy until the end of the season Just trying to get something going here.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 11:23 am

Packers are in top 6 for most droppes passes. According to ESPN’s NFL Matchup, the Packers have dropped 6.0 percent of passes in 2018, with only the Tennessee Titans (6.2), Baltimore Ravens (6.6), Arizona Cardinals (6.8), Buffalo Bills (6.8) and Cleveland Browns (7.6) dropping a higher percentage.

Please catch the ball. ugh...

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 05:40 pm

Did you ever say the defense was better this for all the years we had DomCapers?
Just curious.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 10, 2018 at 12:06 pm

" The coming weeks will give an indication on whether the Bears are for real in their contention for the NFC North. "

True but the next few weeks will ' no doubt ' be the defining indication for GB in a much more negative aspect than can be hoped for the Bears from Packer fans.

The next few weeks ' CAN ' be the end of playoff hopes, a new HC, a promotion for a DC to HC which will likely change nothing. The wait for new draft picks with hope they mature faster than a Government Bond and the further anxiety of signing the wrong FA's and the mistake in the retention of one's own.

A lot will be at stake the next few weeks and a bad game/loss to SF and a stale return with losses to Rams and Pats all but seals the coffin of GB and with it nearly all chance of another SB with future HOF QB...2-out of 30+ years will be historic on the ugly side.

If a ship were ever able to be righted, it had better start this week in near glorious fashion against a 49er's team that is capable of beating themselves more than GB has shown.

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Roadking's picture

October 10, 2018 at 12:24 pm

Our team is going nowhere. We get outcoached every week, no team speed on defense, offense can't get started until the game is out of reach .
Keep on reading how we should be 4-1 but we could as easily be 1- 4. Mn kicker makes them kicks and Chicago doesn't drop that interception season would already be over with. Well there is always next year.

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Summer_PackerBacker's picture

October 10, 2018 at 02:25 pm

We could just as easily be 3-2 or even 4-1, if the refs don't call against the Packers in the Min game and Crosby actually hits his field goals here against Detroit... Why be so negative 5 games into the season? Last week everyone was crowing how the Vikings were a team on a precipitous decline after losing two in a row, now all of a sudden they beat the reeling Eagles and everyone goes beserk and calls them NFCCG bound. Chillax, itll all work itself out, but its awful early for season ending doom and gloom just yet. Not to mention, no defensive speed? C'mon have you even watched Jaire, Burks, K. Clark, or even King? They've all been playing fast and looking pretty good, its just not fully cohesive yet. But fast is not an issue except at outside linebacker and possibly safety if we consider tentativeness to be speed-related.

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Fire_Gute's picture

October 10, 2018 at 10:11 pm

If Crosby hits his field goals, Detroit plays the game different. That game was not as close as the final score and although Crosby had a historically bad game, the entire team lost that one

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Jonathan Spader's picture

October 11, 2018 at 09:35 am

The game could have gone a completely different direction the refs didn't hand Detroit a TD for free right away on the opening drive. GB might have run the ball either Aaron Jones rather than playing catchup. A lot went wrong in that game same way it did in Washington. How many times have we seen the Packers beat themselves over the years? Detroit didn't win that game they did just enough not to lose with some help from the refs. The Packers are still the better team they just didn't play like it and haven't really all year.

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Oz40's picture

October 10, 2018 at 12:42 pm

Just read about T J Watt being named AFC defensive player of the week for the second time. His stat line in Pitts. last game was nothing short of incredible... and the brain trust of the Packers could have had him....instead we get a corner who can't stay on the field. Draft and develop my a__..

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Summer_PackerBacker's picture

October 10, 2018 at 02:28 pm

So you're complaining about drafting and developing, then arguing for a player we would have drafted and subsequently developed... What now? I'm confused how they are related. Not to mention, Watt is super streaky, very hot and cold from what I read. Its not as if the Falcon's offensive line is very good. If 3 sacks in one game were the criteria for greatness, Fackrell has become the greatest Packer draft pick in recent memory.

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Oz40's picture

October 10, 2018 at 03:33 pm

No, I am not complaining about draft and develop....what I am saying is if that is what you are hanging your hat on then you better be good at step one-DRAFT. The Packers have not been good at either lately. Josh Jones is a great example. Not drafting Watt. Micha Hyde became a pro-bowler after leaving GB. Randal playing out of position for the Pack but looks very good as a safety in Cleveland. Your right (sarc) would hate to have a super streaky athlete at a position GB has sooooo much depth at. Still waiting for Fackrell to be a defensive player of the week.....waiting....waiting....waiting

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Fire_Gute's picture

October 10, 2018 at 10:16 pm

Green Bay had drafted DBs with 7 out of their last 10 first and second round picks and has maybe 2 players to show for it, and is probably going to need 2 safeties going into next year. They gave Randall away for a QB that isn't any better than what we had. We haven't been good at the draft part and have been even worse at develop, as the best 2 safeties we have drafted are playing excellent elsewhere

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Summer_PackerBacker's picture

October 10, 2018 at 10:49 pm

Ah I see, I was legitimately confused about your point regarding draft and develop. I do agree the Packers have not done well in that regard of late, but I think that using Josh Jones or Kevin King as an example so soon is a bit premature, King has played well when he has been able to, and maybe it will just take Jones some time to grow? Or perhaps he is a bust, who knows. But I don't think its fair to chalk them down as failures yet by any means. Davante Adams taught me my lesson about screaming for someone's head too soon. Also, looking at the stats, I see very little different between Watt's day and Fackrell's, so just because he wasn't named player of the week doesn't make him any less impactful in the game he played. Also what happens if we didn't draft King? People would have been screaming we had no players capable of playing cornerback at the NFL level, its all about perspective. Personally I think it was a pick your poison kind of deal, the Packers had so many spots of need that it was imperative to address at least one, and we know how much TT loved supposed value, so you can guess his excitement at being able to get both an OLB and a CB for the price of one... Honestly I liked Biegel coming out, I find it maddening that he was so ineffectual. He was a virtual clay Matthews clone on the athleticism tests.

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Oz40's picture

October 11, 2018 at 12:07 pm

You are correct in your statements about Adams.....he looked iffy at first but was developed. It seems like we do very well with receivers in this area.

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sardog's picture

October 10, 2018 at 01:12 pm

Just an FYI...today is Brett Favre's Birthday...so...Happy Birthday Day Brett!

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 01:16 pm

Best QB ever just in my opinion.

Happy Birthday Brett Favre !!

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PAPackerbacker's picture

October 10, 2018 at 04:50 pm

I'll second that!!

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Royalty Free GM's picture

October 10, 2018 at 01:57 pm

It’s time to start painting some big a** ’FIRE MM’ banners and show them on prime time TV !

That’s the only way fans can make a difference and change this team to a fresh, better direction.

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packergal's picture

October 10, 2018 at 02:00 pm

Agree. Brett = GOAT!
Happy birthday, Brett!

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cheesehead1's picture

October 10, 2018 at 02:17 pm

In McCarthys presser yesterday I believe, he insinuated Aaron had something else going on (or words to that effect) but wouldn’t elaborate. IMO, there are no excuses as far as injuries. If he is that injured then sit him. This team needs a big wake up call NOW.....On a side note, I see that TJ Watt picked up 3 sacks and has 6 on the year. King, IMO, has been a disappointment thus far. Constantly injured just like Perry. Also, watching the NO/WAS game, Marcus Davenport had a sack and Taysom Hill looked real good. Who knows how Davenport will turn out but letting Hill go was a big mistake. The games against LA and NE will tell the story. We’ll see what they’re made of.

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adamcarlson28's picture

October 10, 2018 at 02:58 pm

I too feel like it's easy to play the what if game with TJ Watt, and I don't think it's fair to assume everyone develops at the same pace, especially given King's injuries and positional differences. You can certainly make the argument that King's lack of availability is his biggest knock, but he's definitely shown a high ceiling when actually on the field. As unpleasant as it is sometimes, Packers only move is to wait and see. Feels like Packers can't win sometimes...let Hayward and Hyde walk and they are All-Pros, sign Perry to a 2nd contract and he goes MIA, hope the eventual call on King is more clear cut.

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splitpea1's picture

October 10, 2018 at 09:20 pm

As bad as we need a pass rusher, I'm happy we took Alexander--there was a big need there, too. Definitely never should have let Hill go. The guy's like a Swiss Army knife. Did you see the tire tracks he left on that linebacker? Also ran for a TD. Can block kicks, too.

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Jonathan Spader's picture

October 11, 2018 at 09:44 am

As much as it upset me to see the Packers let Hill walk do people really think MM would have used him in GB the way he's being used in NO? Sean Payton has found ways of getting him on the field does anyone seriously think MM would do the same? Do people here think Hayward would have been an all pro in Capers scheme? Would Hyde have been our starting safety or would be still be in the slot or moved around? People are throwing TT under the bus for letting them walk but not giving him any credit for drafting them in the 1st place.

Bottomline is there's no point in selling on Watt vs King or anyone that left. What are we going to change by talking about it? Fire TT? That's already been done. So lets talk about what Gute has done and could do in the future rather than dwelling on the what it's of the past. The Packers have moved on so should the fans.

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4thand1's picture

October 10, 2018 at 03:03 pm

Just got home from vacation and was on the road during the game. Glad I missed the shit fest. Was in Niagra Falls had a great time, almost everyone I talked to wondered how the Packers look so bad. One more week and a buy, think I'll go hunting this Sunday instead of watching this team implode. After watching NO monday night, looks like our pick from them will be around 30. After the buy things get tougher, yippie, looks like we're in for a long year.

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TXCHEESE's picture

October 10, 2018 at 03:44 pm

The SF game is Monday night, so you get go hunting AND watch the Packers implode :-[. It's still early in the year. There are too many things that could happen to sit and whine about this season going in the crapper. The Packers need a win Monday and the bye week to heal up and regroup. They may just go on a run, plus injuries at key positions could bring some of the early front runners back to the pack (see what I did there?)

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 05:47 pm

I am very very confused. I was constantly complaining about trying to get Dom Capers fired and it was taken as negativty instead of constructive criticism and ALL I got was BANNED by Jersey Al from posting anything on this site.

But, now everyone wants MM gone and almost everyone is getting thumbs up and still allowed on this site.

I tend to agree

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 05:49 pm

that MM should go, but maybe Jersey Al could give me a little more insight as to what is going on to help me understand for future reference. Thanks!!

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 10, 2018 at 05:54 pm

mob rules?

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Jonathan Spader's picture

October 11, 2018 at 09:48 am

Anyone else notice that Doug has to reply to anything he posts at least twice? As for getting banned if you replied to a post from the bots talking about their 1st job out of high school your account could have been banned that way Doug. Happened to a few of us here.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 11, 2018 at 10:34 am

no it is not sarcasm.

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Bure9620's picture

October 11, 2018 at 04:48 am

The NFL is a week to week matchup league. Remember Tampa crushing NO? The Lions destroying the Patriots? There are many people waiving the white flag saying we will be killed by the Rams and Pats?? Really people? The season is over if we dont beat SF? How many of you watch games other than the Packers? It's Pro football. A week to week league. I remember a 9-7 Giants team that looked like crap early win the SB. I recall a 4-6 Packers team that looked AWFUL and worse than this one at times make the NFCCG. I remember half of you already had your wrists slit bleeding out at 4-6. I remember an 8-6 Packers team needing 2 for a wild card win a SB. Try being a fan. I'm glad you negative people were not teammates of mine.

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Jonathan Spader's picture

October 11, 2018 at 09:49 am

Someone's on a steady diet of memberberries.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 11, 2018 at 10:37 am

no it wasn't. Believe me. If you look back at Jersey Al posts...last week he said i better watch my chicken little negativity, so I have to be on good behavior or get banned again.

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ILPackerBacker's picture

October 11, 2018 at 10:11 am

A lot posts that if the other team had made 2 plays we would be 1-4...of course that's true

but why is a queen missing a game winning FG so much more important than Crosby missing one in the same game?

How many Tds passed dropped or missed are blamed on Rodgers who has been amazingly effective?

a better set of posts would remind everyone that Green Bay MADE the 2 plays and would be 4-1 outside the refs and that the NFL has reversed itself and basically admitted it.

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