NFC North – Week 6 Divisional Recap
The entire complexion of the NFC North has changed when Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone.
Minnesota Vikings 4-2
Green Bay Packers 4-2
Detroit Lions 3-3
Chicago Bears 2-4
Green Bay Packers
The Packers lost more than just a game in their 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
What they did well
Jordy Nelson helped backup quarterback Brett Hundley out with 5 catches fro 50 yards after Aaron Rodgers went down. Clay Matthews recovered a fumble and returned it for 63 yards that set up a touchdown pass from Hundley to Davante Adams to tie the game at 7. The Packer defense buckled down and did not allow the Vikings in the end zone in the second half.
Where they needed improvement
The Packers had understandable difficulties when Rodgers went down early in the first quarter. Hundley threw 3 interceptions that got turned into 10 points. The last interception allowed the Vikings to run out the clock. On a day where the Packers needed everybody to step up on the offense, nobody did. They ran for only 72 yards and allowed 4 sacks.
What is Next
The Packers come home to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings took advantage of an injury to the Packer quarter back and won 23-10 at home.
What they did well
The Viking defense did a good job stopping the Packers. They had 4 sacks and 3 interceptions, with Harrison Smith leading the way with 1.5 sacks and an interception. Jerick McKinnon provided a spark for the Viking offense. He ran for 69 yards and a touchdown and caught 5 passes for 30 yards and another touchdown. Adam Thielen broke out for 97 yards on 9 catches.
Where they needed improvement
The Vikings had a little trouble keeping the ball with an interception and a lost fumble. The Packers scored all of their points off of those 2 turnovers. The Vikings scored just once on their 3 trips to the red zone. Of course, that was better than their 4 of 12 conversion rate on third downs.
What is Next
The Vikings host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.
Detroit Lions
The Lions got pummeled in New Orleans as the Saints won 52-38
What they did well
Matthew Stafford threw for 312 yards and 3 touchdowns. Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, and Darren Fells each caught a touchdown pass as Stafford spread the ball around. Jamal Agnew found the end zone after a 74 yard punt return. The Lions held Drew Brees to just 182 yards passing and intercepted him twice, including one by A’Shawn Robinson, who returned it for a touchdown.
Where they needed improvement
Stafford needs to stop turning the ball over. He threw 3 interceptions and lost 2 fumbles, and the Saints scored 28 points off of those turnovers. Even though they kept Brees to under 200 yards, they allowed almost 200 on the ground. That, combined with the 5 turnovers, added up to 52 points given up. Not many offenses can overcome that much.
What is next
The Lions have a bye week in Week 7 and will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8.
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Chicago Bears
The Bears pulled out an overtime win on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.
What they did well
Jordan Howard ran for 167 of the Bears’ 231 rushing yards. That running game allowed the Bears to dominate the time of possession. Howard’s big run came in overtime, when he ran for 53 yards on first down from their own 7 yard line. That run set up the game winning field goal with just over 2 minutes remaining.
Where they needed improvement
The Bears had some ball security issues again this week. Mitch Trubisky did not throw an interception, but he did fumble twice, losing one of them. In all, the Bears fumbled 4 times and lost 2 of them. The Bears let an 11 point lead slip away in just over a minute as the Ravens tied the game with 1:55 to go. Luckily for the Bears, Connor Barth was able to hit his 40 yard field goal in overtime and they did not blow the win.
What is Next
The Bears come home to host the Carolina Panthers in Week 7.
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