News From the North #1
Adam Nelson
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Welcome to the first edition of News From The North! This is your destination for updates on the NFC North, released the first and third Saturday of every month. This report includes game recaps, roster moves, coaching changes, injury reports, pregame analysis and more.
The Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1):
Game Recap
The good guys won on Sunday, beating Detroit 27-9. The Vikings have now won three consecutive games against Detroit. This win keeps the purple and gold in the playoff race, and the team still controls their own destiny to secure a playoff berth. This season also marks the first time the Vikings have had a winning season with a tie since 1978 where they finished 8-7-1 in the NFC Central Division (it should be noted they did make the playoffs that season).
In passing, Captain Kirk made 21/28 attempts for 253 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, and 2 sacks/13 yards. Cousins had a QBR of 137.9, his highest for the season and since Week 11 of 2017. This also ties for his sixth-best regular season game performance ever by QBR.
In receiving, Rudy the Red-Nosed Tight End had 9 receptions for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. With those catches, Rudolph set a new single-game personal record in yardage, and ranks eighth-best for a Vikings receiver in a single-game this season.
In rushing, The Chef ran 16 times for 73 yards, while Murray ran 9 times for 22 yards.
In kicking, Dan Bailey was 2/2 on field goals (74.1% for the season) and 3/3 on extra points (96.7%). Matt Wile had 6 punts, and is now just two yards short of 3000 Total Punt Yardage for the season.
Roster Moves/Coaching Changes
No changes were made to the roster this week.
Kevin Stefanski’s changes to the offense seem to be working as the Vikings have replaced a streak of two losses with two wins. The passing yards per game have remained roughly the same as they have for the rest of the season, but Stefanski has unlocked the running game for the team. Following a dismal 21-7 loss to Seattle featuring only 77 rushing yards, Minnesota was running laps as they had a season high 220 rushing yards against Miami. The offense followed up in Detroit with an even 100 rushing yards, only the fifth time this season the team has broken the 100 rushing yards milestone. It seems safe to say that should the Vikes reach the playoffs that the offense will be in good hands.
Injury Report
- Marcus Sherels, CB, Foot, Questionable
- C.J. Ham, RB, Elbow, Questionable
- Eric Kendricks, LB, Hamstring, Questionable
Up Next
The Vikings will cap off the regular season this Sunday, 3:25 PM CT/4:25 PM ET at home against the Chicago Bears. Their last meeting in Week 11 at Chicago was a close 25-20 loss for the Vikings, as they were nearly shutout for the first three quarters. Offensively, the team was held to their lowest total yardage for the season at 268 yards, although the defense did fairly well keeping the Bears in check at 308 yards allowed. Needless to say, Minnesota will have to play perfectly against their division rival to ensure a ticket to the playoffs.
The Detroit Lions (5-10):
Game Recap
With their loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, the Lions have secured last place in the division this season. This makes the Lions 1-4 in division matchups this season, and although they have a decent chance to beat Green Bay in the regular season finale, they might want to consider tanking for a better draft pick (perhaps to replace a certain wide receiver they traded to the Eagles earlier this year). If they finish 6-10, it will be their worst season since 2010. If they finish 5-11, it will be their worst since 2005.
In passing, Matt Stafford completed 18/32 attempts for 116 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, and 2 sacks/11 yards. Stafford had a QBR of 64.1, his worst this season except for Week 1 against the Jets. He was pulled with 4:10 left for backup Matt Cassel.
In receiving, Kenny Golladay led with 6 catches for 58 yards. Despite the 9 other passes thrown to him resulting in incompletions, he was the most targeted receiver with 15 targets.
In rushing, Zach Zenner had 8 runs for 45 yards. LeGarrette Blount was held to 11 attempts for only 29 yards.
In kicking, Matt Prater won the distinction of scoring all of the Lion’s points Sunday by going 3/3 on field goals, with a long of 48 yards. Sam Martin had 6 punts for 249 yards and crossed the 3000 Total Punt Yardage threshold for the season.
Roster Moves/Coaching Changes
The Lions signed WR Chris Lacy and CB Dee Virgin from the practice squad to replace WR Bruce Ellington and S Charles Washington, who were placed on IR. WR Deontez Alexander was signed to the practice squad.
Injury Report
- LeGarrette Blount, RB, Knee, Questionable
- A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Knee, Questionable
- Luke Willson, TE, Concussion, Questionable
Up Next
The Motor City Kitties will end their 2018 season against the Green Bay Packers. Detroit cruised past the Cheeseheads in Week 5 with a 31-23 victory. The offense produced two rushing and two receiving touchdowns in that game, but the defense had their worst showing all season allowing 521 total yards. 423 of those yards were aerial, and despite not making the playoffs this year Aaron Rodgers has not slowed down his production. If the Detroit defense doesn’t step up, the blue and silver will leave Wisconsin with a loss.
The Chicago Bears (11-4):
Game Recap
Everything from offensive yards, defensive yards allowed, turnovers, etc in this game was middle of the road for the Bears this season, but somehow the division champions were held to only two touchdowns on Sunday for their lowest score in any game this season. However, they still left San Francisco with a win. If the Bears succumb to the Purple People Eaters on Sunday they will still have their best season since 2010, but if they win they will have their best since 1988 where they lost the NFC Championship Game with Mike Ditka at the helm.
In passing, Mitchell Trubisky was 25/29 on attempts for 246 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, and 3 sacks/11 yards. Trubisky had a QBR of 113.5.
In receiving, Allen Robinson led with 6 catches for 85 yards, his best performance since Week 10 against Detroit.
In rushing, Jordan Howard had 13 attempts for 53 yards and 1 touchdown. This is the first time Howard has had back-to-back games with end zone appearances since Weeks 7-9.
In kicking, Cody Parkey missed his only field goal attempt, but made both extra points. Parkey is now 22/29, or 75.9%, on field goal attempts this season. Pat O’Donnell had 3 punts for 119 yards, posting his third lowest single-game average this season at 39.67 yards/punt.
Roster Moves/Coaching Changes
Nothing to report.
Injury Report
- Allen Robinson, WR, Ribs, Questionable
- Javon Wims, WR, Knee, Questionable
- Eddie Jackson, S, Ankle, Questionable
- Aaron Lynch, LB, Elbow, Questionable
Up Next
The Bears have already claimed the division and with it a playoff berth but, with a win over the Vikings on Sunday and a Rams loss against the 49ers, they may be able to get a top two seed and a first round bye. The Bears last played Minnesota in Week 11. In that meeting the offense committed three turnovers, although the defense did have a season-best performance in rushing yards allowed with only 22. The defense will have a new challenge facing the recently revamped Vikings run game, but the Monsters of the Midway should have a decent chance of being victorious barring any serious mistakes.
The Green Bay Packers (6-8-1):
Game Recap
The green and gold got off to a somewhat slow start on Sunday as they were scoreless for the first quarter, but the Packers are known for fourth quarter comebacks. Green Bay scored two touchdowns and two field goals in the fourth quarter to tie the game with 17 seconds left. Aaron Rodgers then threw the game-winning pass in OT to Davante Adams to beat the New York Jets. With their Week 15 loss to Chicago the Pack secured a losing season. The last time they had a losing season with a tie was in 1973 where they finished 5-7-2 in the NFC Central Division.
In passing, Rodgers slung the ball 55 times for 37 completions, 442 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, and 4 sacks/29 yards. The GOAT had his fifth-best QBR of the season at 103.7.
In receiving, Equanimeous St. Brown had 5 receptions for 94 yards. Davante Adams had 11 catches for 71 yards and 1 touchdown, setting a new single-season personal record at 13 TDs.
In rushing, Jamaal Williams had 15 carries for 95 yards and 1 touchdown. Rodgers also had 2 rushing touchdowns.
In kicking, Mason Crosby went 3/3 on field goals and 3/3 on extra points. JK Scott punted 3 times for 113 yards. The rookie is 141 yards short of 3000 for Total Punt Yardage, and should make it with 3-4 punts this Sunday.
Roster Moves/Coaching Changes
CB Will Redmond was placed on IR, and RB Lavon Coleman was signed from the practice squad.
Injury Report
- Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Concussion, Questionable
- Randall Cobb, WR, Concussion, Questionable
- Jason Spriggs, T, Concussion, Questionable
- Jaire Alexander, CB, Groin, Questionable
- Lane Taylor, G, Knee, Questionable
- Jamaal Williams, RB, Concussion, Probable
- Alex Light, T, Suspension, Probable
Up Next
The Packers will end their season with a division match-up at home against Detroit. Green Bay hasn’t beaten the Lions since New Year’s Day 2017 to end the 2016 regular season. In their first game against each other this season the Packers had both their second best offensive and defensive performances, but still lost the game. Stafford’s numbers on that day weren’t astronomical, but the whole team performed well to somehow eke out a win. However, given that the Lions currently have a two game losing streak, it’s safe to bet that Rodgers and crew will win this one.
I hope you enjoyed this first edition of News From The North! Special thanks to ESPN and Pro-Football-Reference for all statistics. Check back on January 5th for a regular season recap and news going into the playoffs. Follow me on Twitter @somekidadam! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! SKOL.