Far from a typical week in the NFC North. The Vikings and Bears played a shootout, and the Packers beat an AFC South powerhouse. One constant in the NFC North? The Detroit Lions, as they lost their sixth in a row. In the end, the division went 2-2 this week.
1. Chicago Bears (4-3)
I was tempted to drop them, but when I thought about it, they had a decent week. The Bears' got a big win over a division rival, and that offense looks legit.
In reality though, Chicago got really lucky: the blocked punt that Vikings' punter Chris Kluwe proceeded to kick into the waiting arms of Garrett Wolfe. Or the punt that went off the Vikings' Charles Gordon and into the end zone for a Bears touchdown. Or Desmond Clark fumbles into the end zone that Rashied Davis picks up for another touchdown.
That's three lucky scores. Maybe I'm being too hard on the Bears, because teams can make their own luck. Either way, the Bears get a big division win.
It's a bye week for Chicago next week, but they get Detroit after the bye. The only thing that could stop them from being 5-3 is if half the Bears head out to Lake Michigan and participate in their own version of the Vikings sex cruise. Not gonna happen folks.
2. Green Bay Packers (4-3)
Like I said, it was very tempting to put the Packers ahead of Chicago after their domination of Indianapolis. Green Bay won every facet of that game, and if you want to read more about that game, click here.
How about that defense, though? For all the negative publicity they have been getting, they showed up Sunday. Nick Collins undoubtly deserves to be in the Pro Bowl, as does Charles Woodson. When Atari Bigby and Al Harris come back, it will only add to an already emerging defense.
And really, you can't say enough about Aaron Rodgers. He performs week-in and week-out. Another week with no turnovers, another win for Green Bay. That might be the winning equation for the Pack.
Bye week for Green Bay, but a big game against the still undefeated Tennessee Titans looms large after the break.
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-4)
It was a fun game to watch, but the Vikings came out on the wrong side of scoreboard. Their special teams have been atrocious this season, and it will continue to cost them games if it doesn't get cleaned up.
Fire Brad Childress? I'm not going that far quite yet. He has to get that defense playing better, because it has far too many playmakers to be giving up 48 points, especially to the Bears. The playcalling has been pretty suspect though, so who knows what Childress has in his future with owner Zygi Wolf calling the shots.
One thing I do know is Adrian Peterson needs the ball more. If you run AD on the left side of that offensive line 25 times a game, there's no way he is getting less than 120 yards. When you have a talent like that, overusing it is much better than underusing.
I could be too pro-AD, but if my job was on the line (Childress), I'd be giving my best player the ball as much as I can.
Anyway, the Vikes are on a bye this week, too. One-win Houston comes to Minny after the break, so there is hope they can get back to .500.
19 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
daniel cox 8 months ago
zach, good summation of last week in the nfc. and good look ahead, though there's little to look to--didn't realize every team but detroit has a bye, kinda stinks, but also kind of funny.
getting ready to read your piece on collins, looking forward to learning more about him. it sure seems like i've heard his name mentioned a lot this year.
what is up with minny? that defense shouldn't be playing like that. and the running game. wasn't that how they found success last year? take the pressure off jackson and run peterson and taylor all day. it worked, and looking at their qb choices this year, you'd think they'd continue more of the same.
chicago and green bay looked great and certainly seem like legitimate teams. considering the falcons beat both of them, i'm feeling okay about that.
good work!
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
Yeah, it's making the Falcons look more and more legit. Your piece on Matt Ryan was awesome man.
Minny is still running a lot, but the defense and special teams have been terrible. Teams are starting to really stack the line putting 8 and 9 guys up there, and running is getting difficult for even AD and Taylor.
Anyway, thanks for reading Daniel!
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T.W. Krems 8 months ago
Looks good man! Hope the Bears can fix their D though.
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
Thanks Tom, you gotta be happy I kept Chicago #1. Can't wait till the Bears come to Lambeau in November, should be a great game!
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Tim Seeman 8 months ago
you make a good point about the bears creating their own luck on special teams. it's not a fluke that it happens just about every week for the past however many seasons. it's ridiculous how long it took them to figure out that kyle orton was their quarterback...who knows how good they could be right now had orton been playing since his excellent rookie year
don't forget that a-rod and greg jennings could be on their way to pro bowl seasons also
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
Oh yeah, if the season ended now, Rodgers, Jennings, possibly Clifton or Tauscher, Kampman, Collins and Woodson would all be legit Pro Bowlers. Maybe even Crosby too.
And Orton is clicking, scary news for NFC North teams.
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Steve Roeland 8 months ago
Zach,
Great list.
If the Packers can beat Tennessee aftert he bye, then they should move up in the rankings. As it stands now, each team is where they belong.
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
I agree Steve. Beating Tennessee would be the division's best win, and the Packers are playing the best right now. So they will stay at 2 for next week, but after the bye, they could move up...hopefully for good.
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David Arreola 8 months ago
I agree with you decision to not drop the Bears. They did win the game.
As for their luck, its better to be lucky than good.
I do have one positive for the Lions.
Its already midseason! It will all be over soon....
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
haha that's a good point, they're half way home. Think they'll go 0-16 David?
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David Arreola 8 months ago
I don't know about 0-16. They did come close to beating the Vikings. I still think the Bengels are worse than them.
I wouldn't be surprised if both teams tied for the #1 pick in the draft!
I think the Lions steal a win from Minnesota in week 14.
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
No....Bengals are way better then Detroit. I'd say they could steal one with Kitna behind center but I'm not sure with Orlovsky.
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Tanner Thoms 8 months ago
In my opinion I would put Green Bay at number one because of the way they dominated Indianapolis. Chicago still played good though. Minnesota is still an average team at best. Last and certainly least Detroit deserves to be last, they are terribly terrible.
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
You gotta remember, Chicago beat the Colts @ Indy. Minny is a little better then average. But yeah, Detroit is terrible...0-16?
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Adam Lindemer 8 months ago
Good list Zach!
Right rankings, GB beat a crippling Colts squad, and the Bears won a shootout against the Vikes. If GB gets past Tennessee IN NASHVILLE next week, they are then the team to beat. I can't believe I just admitted that the Bears are better than the Pack.
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
for right now the Bears are slightly better. I think that all changes in a the next couple of weeks, the Packers are the more talented overall team.
Thanks for reading Adam.
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
Kyle Orton wins the poll? Come on Packer fans!
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MJ Kasprzak 8 months ago
Good assessment--I also was wondering if we move back into the top spot, but decided we hadn't, so I'm glad we were on the same page since I don't write an NFC North Power Poll...LOL!
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Zach Kruse 8 months ago
yeah, i was very tempted, but I realized that the Bears beat the Colts too...if we beat Tennessee next week we move up though
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