NFC North Recap: Week 3
Josh Frey
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This weekend was a roller coaster across the NFC North. We saw crazy finishes, records broken, and a team finish with one total passing yard. Here’s everything that happened around the division this past weekend.
Chicago’s 1921 Offense in 2021
The Bears got beaten up this past weekend against the Browns. Specifically their rookie QB Justin Fields found himself on the turf an awful lot. Fields was sacked nine times, and of course, Chicago ended the day with one net passing yard.
The most glaring issue is the injuries along the offensive line, but it’s not the only problem. Chicago did not give Fields enough help with any check down options throughout the day. Routes took far too long to develop downfield for the banged up o-line to hold their blocks. Fields didn’t help himself at all either by being indecisive with the ball.
Records Set in Detroit
The Lions played about as well as anyone could have hoped against the Baltimore Ravens. They held Lamar Jackson in check for much of the game, and they put some nice things together on a few offensive drives.
However, all that was nullified at the end of the game when Justin Tucker walked onto the field. The veteran kicker nailed an NFL-record 66-yard field goal to win the game for Baltimore, and Detroit fell to 0-3 in a 19-17 loss.
The Ref Bowl
The Green Bay Packers headed to San Francisco for Sunday Night Football, but the referees forgot the night was about football and not themselves. This game was tainted by very questionably refereeing throughout the night on both sides. However, towards the end of the game a few very bad calls went against Green Bay, keeping San Francisco in the game.
However, the Packers do still have Aaron Rodgers at QB, and with 37 seconds left, he led a game-winning drive to send Green Bay home with a 31-28 win. The Packers stay atop the NFC North, but eyes will be on a very beat up secondary going into week 4.
Vikings Get in the Win Column
After a couple unfortunate moments sent Minnesota to 0-2, so they went into this game against Seattle needing a victory. Without Dalvin Cook, Kirk Cousins stepped up in a big way, and Alexander Mattison did more than enough filling in Cook’s place. The third-year back totaled 171 yards out of the backfield, a new career high.
The Vikings defense played very well in the second half of this game as well. They contained Russell Wilson in the pocket, and they eliminated Chris Carson as a running threat. Minnesota went on to win 30-17 despite losing their RB1. They need to replicate this performance to have a chance to defeat Cleveland this week.