The Packers-Vikings tilt highlighted the weekend, and the Bears stuck around with the undefeated Tennessee Titans. Detroit continued their historic run towards imperfection with another loss, and overall, the division's record was 1-3 Sunday.
1. Chicago Bears (5-4)
The Bears were able to show the NFL that the Titans can be stopped on the ground, but they did it at the expense of their pass defense. Tennesee's dynamic duo of LenDale White and Chris Johnson were held to 22 rushing yards between them, but Titans quarterback Kerry Collins scorched the Bears for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Rex Grossman appeared early that he might have a good afternoon, but he showed his true self later when he tried to force a pass that was intercepted. The Bears need Kyle Orton back soon, and the way it sounds, he might be back this Sunday.
Speaking of Sunday, the Bears travel to the frozen tundra of Green Bay in a big game for both squads.
2. Minnesota Vikings (5-4)
The Vikings beat the Packers 28-27, but this was a game that very well could have been 42-10. Minnesota continues to shoot themselves in the foot with turnovers and terrible special teams play, and it almost cost them this game. The Vikings are already tied for giving up the most return touchdowns in one season in NFL history; that's how bad it is.
On a lighter side, it was coach Brad Childress' first win over the Packers in six tries, and he's darn lucky he won it because you can't be a likable Vikings coach without beating their hated rivals. Childress' next task will be getting the Vikes ready to continue their momentum after an emotional and physically draining win.
The Vikings travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buc's, a place where Minnesota hasn't won since 1997.
3. Green Bay Packers (4-5)
What a heart breaker. For a young team like the Packers, this could be their end. Back-to-back losses in this fashion go a long ways to destroying a teams' morale, and if McCarthy can't get Green Bay back on track, the final seven games could be rough.
It's been the same problems killing the Packers: run-defense, protection, and penalties. This team has more talent than any other team in the NFC North, but when you continually screw up those three areas, you're not going win games. So, who's to blame?
Anyway, it looks like Ryan Grant might be turning the corner. He was under-utilized Sunday, but the touches he did get he made the most of. If the Packers are going to make the playoffs, he's going to have to have a finish to this season reminiscent to last season.
Packers get the Bears at home Sunday, and it's as close to a must-win as Green Bay has had.
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about 1 month ago
great list zach! i think the packers will beat the bears sunday. your right its a must win, so i think they beat up the bears
from about 1 month ago
Thanks John!
I'm not sure the Packers will "beat up" the Bears though Sunday. A one point win would be fine by me!
from about 1 month ago
i think the Packers have a good shot.. As bad as their run def is..the Bears have an equally bad pass def...should be interesting
from about 1 month ago
Nice point Kyle. Each team has their weaknesses: Minnesota (Passing offense, Special Teams), Green Bay (run-defense, protection), and Chicago (Pass-defense, lack of passing weapons). Should be a good finish, whichever weaknesses is "best" is going to win the division
from about 1 month ago
the packers run defense is probably the worst...sorry to say
from about 1 month ago
sorry to say, you might be wrong on this one..Its an even draw..Packers Defense ranks 3rd against the pass and 28th against the run...The Bears rank 30th against the pass and 4th against the run..
On sunday its going to be offensive strength vs defensive weakness..
from about 1 month ago
Depends which defensive aspect you value more
about 1 month ago
Where do we start pointing fingers in Packer nation?
Injuries? too easy
Rodgers? too ignorent
O-line? wayyyyy too easy
no we have one thing to blame
TACKLING AND BLOCKING.
We can't do either. Vince Lombardi said it, football is tackling and blocking. If you can do both, you will win.
from about 1 month ago
After post-proof-reading my comment I realized that tackling and blocking are two different things....not one entity...
I need to start doing this before I press submit...lol
from about 1 month ago
Well I'd point my finger to the run-defense first, which arguably is tackling, and the offensive line second, which is all blocking. So in a nutshell, you are correct sir.
from about 1 month ago
I like to keep it short and sweet.
from about 1 month ago
What's your take on the Bears game then? Any shot?
from about 1 month ago
I agree with David's comment 1000%. Okay, maybe the reference to Jay Glazer is not a good one, 'cause any rational person knows you can never agree or give more than 100%, but I would add one more to his point--we are also losing containment in our lanes, allowing for cutbacks.
from about 1 month ago
Bears game is a rivalry game.
Stats go out the window.
I think Rodgers get the job done and wins a huge game for the Packers.
Of course our team will continue to not block and not tackle.
MJ,
I know exactly what you are talking about. Our defensive linemen are STAYING blocked. So its like running through a tunnel. They can't get off their blocks and make a play.
Pretty much the Packers get an F in the fundamentals of football.
from about 1 month ago
Bears game is a rivalry game.
Stats go out the window.
I think Rodgers get the job done and wins a huge game for the Packers.
Of course our team will continue to not block and not tackle.
MJ,
I know exactly what you are talking about. Our defensive linemen are STAYING blocked. So its like running through a tunnel. They can't get off their blocks and make a play.
Pretty much the Packers get an F in the fundamentals of football.
about 1 month ago
No nick barnett and no run D in general should equate to a big day for Forte. His YPC isn't great, but the bears will force feed him until the packers give up. Unless GB can get some big passing plays, its not lookin good for the pack.
Minn +18 V Tampa in Tampa?????? I know u r a Viks fan, but this will not happen. Bucs havent given up 28 points all year, and the climate change should play a role in the game.
from about 1 month ago
Actually, I'm not a Vikes fan, I'm a Packers fan. I'm picking them by that margin because of Peterson. He has been unbelievable the past 4 weeks—predictions aren't always about the safe play, sometimes you have to take risks, right?
from about 1 month ago
Sorry for calling u a Vikings fan haha my bad.
Yeah AP has been killn and he is a BEAST. But Detroit, GB, and Houston are 3 of the NFLs worst rush Ds. Tampa gives up 99 yards and has only given up 1 rush TD all year. You're right sometimes you have to roll the dice, I just dont see it happening, a win would be big enough.
from about 1 month ago
i think the bucs stomp the vikes
from about 1 month ago
I agree with John, and John--maybe they won't stomp the Vikes, but they can stop the run, and that's all the Vikes have.
from about 1 month ago
Unless Gus lines up at WR in the wildcat and burns em deep! haha
about 1 month ago
I still think the Packers have the best shot at the division. Their schedule shapes up nicely, and if they can beat the Bears twice, they'll be in good shape
from about 1 month ago
Good point, it's always important to look at schedules. Bottom line though, the Packers will be hard pressed to even beat the bad teams playing this way
from about 1 month ago
The Packers could not stop the run with Barnett, so there is NO way we win the division...
1. We have to travel to New Orleans, who has two good backs and a passing game to keep us from even putting eight in the box.
2. We have to play Carolina, who runs well and also has a passing game to keep us honest, plus a pass rush to harass Rodgers since they can key on our passing game.
3. We play the Bears twice, and they run reasonably well. They will get 300 yards rushing between the two games, trust me. We'll still beat them since they ONLY have Forte this week (we all know Rex sucks, and I figure if Orton plays he will not be 100%), but we lose in Chicago.
4. Jacksonville has two good backs, and could still give us trouble.
We will lose three of those five games, and even though we will win the other two, that leaves us 9-7. The Bears lose one to us, one to Minnesota, but they don't have another loss on their schedule--the only possibility is the home game against New Orleans, but with their Swiss cheese D...others: @Rams, @Texans, home against Jags--all wins. Only if they lose to New Orleans do we have any chance.
from about 1 month ago
ughh
I can't stand the thought of losing the division to the Bears.
Lets keep the faith guys.
Remember, last year our running attack was ranked dead last around this time of year.
Then magically we got a 1,000 yard rusher (ok....almost 1,000 yards...)
Anything is possible in the NFL.
we just have to learn how to block..and tackle..
about 1 month ago
I love how people take the easy way out and rip Rex Grossman rather than analyze the game fully.
The loss the Titans was a combination of things. Such as the defense not being able to stop Kerry Collins from finding his targets and inefficient play calling late in the game.
Did Grossman miss some shots down the field? Of course he did. But he should not bear the brunt of the blame when the Bears lose.
On a side note I have to say I'm still not sold on the Vikings. For such a stout defense they give up too many big plays.
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