Week 14 News Around the North: The Primetime Vikings Win Best Drama

Following the Green Bay Packers Week 13 bye, we are back to all four NFC North teams playing every week for the rest of the 2021 season. This week brought three games, two in primetime, featuring the four NFC North contenders. Here is the rundown on all the action from an eventful Week 14.

The Bears Freeze Out in Green Bay

Heading north to Lambeau Field for a Sunday Night Football matchup with the Green Bay Packers, the Bears were desperate for a last ditch effort to make something good happen this season. It started out well enough, sparked by a pair of touchdowns from special teams standout Jakeem Grant.

However, the Bears defense just couldn’t hold on long enough to keep Aaron Rodgers and Co. in check. The defense let Rodgers throw four touchdown passes, and Justin Fields added a pick six into the mix. That sort of performance is going to make it very difficult to beat the Packers, and Chicago fell 45-27. The good news is Justin Fields seemed back to mostly full strength after his rib injury a couple weeks back. They’ll need him in top condition as they play the Vikings next Monday night.

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Detroit Officially Eliminated From Playoff Contention

If there was any hope of a miraculous turnaround following last week’s victory over the Minnesota Vikings, they were swiftly put to bed on Sunday. The Lions found themselves extremely shorthanded going into this game, with 22 players out due to either injury or illness. They suited up about half of their practice squad against the Denver Broncos, and it certainly showed.

The running back duo of Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams were allowed to get absolutely anything throughout the entirety of this game, and the offense found little momentum to counter. The Lions lost in blowout fashion 38-10, officially eliminating their last chance at the playoffs.

Rodgers Overcomes Injury and Special Teams to Win

Aaron Rodgers played Sunday Night despite a debilitating toe fracture that seems to just get worse by the week. Adding to his toe ache was a head ache courtesy of the Green Bay special teams unit. The group allowed a punt return touchdown, multiple big kick returns, and an onside kick recovery throughout the game, but even so, the Packers high-powered offense willed Green Bay to a victory.

Davante Adams and Rodgers were a dynamic connection as usual, connecting or a pair of touchdowns and over 100 yards. The Packers won 45-27, and with a win next week, they can officially clinch another NFC North title.

The Primetime Vikings Put on a Show

The Vikings came off a short week to play on Thursday Night Football following their devastating loss to the Detroit Lions. They seemed to have some pent up anger from that game, and they took those fresh memories out on the Steelers to begin the game. They jumped out to a 29-0 lead, and Minnesota seemed poised to cruise to a victory.

Then, the Steelers offense woke from their doldrums. They scored 22 unanswered points, and it was an eight-point game with Pittsburgh driving on one more last-minute drive. The Steelers got all the way to the 12-yard line, but an end zone pass to Pat Freiermuth on the final snap of regulation was broken up, sealing the win for Minnesota. The Vikings now find themselves in a five-way tie for the final playoff spot. We’ll get another episode of primetime Vikings this Monday as they head to Chicago to take on the Bears.

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