NFC North – Week 5 Divisional Recap
The Packers are alone in first place after Week 5.
Green Bay Packers 4-1
Detroit Lions 3-2
Minnesota Vikings 3-2
Chicago Bears 1-4
Green Bay Packers
The Packers went in to Dallas to face the Cowboys and came out with a thrilling 35-31 win.
What they did well
The Packers found themselves down 21-6 late in the first half, but they did not panic. They scored 3 touchdowns in the final quarter, including the game-winning touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams with 11 seconds left. The Packers found a running back in Aaron Jones, who ran for 125 yards and a touchdown while also making a key third down conversion on a diving 9-yard catch, his first NFL reception.
Where they needed improvement
The Packers’ red zone defense was once again a problem. They allowed the Cowboys to score all 5 times that they entered the red zone. Dak Prescott threw 3 touchdowns and ran for another. The offense bailed them out, but the Packer defense will need to improve if they want to win the NFC North. Mason Crosby missed 2 extra points, and the Packers went for 2 and failed, and those 3 points almost cost them the game.
What is Next
The Packers travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings in Week 6.
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Detroit Lions
A late rally was not enough for the Lions as they fell to the Carolina Panthers 27-24.
What they did well
Matthew Stafford threw for 229 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. The Lions scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to get within a field goal after being down 27-10. The defense sacked Cam Newton 3 times and held the Panther rushing attack to just 28 yards.
Where they needed improvement
The Lions gave up 355 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. They had a 10-3 lead in the second quarter before allowing 24 straight points. That was enough for the Panthers to hold on to. The Lions only managed 50 yards on the ground, including just 31 from Ameer Abdullah. They lost the time of position battle 35:23 to 24:37.
What is Next
The Lions travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints in Week 6.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings beat the Bears in Chicago on a last minute field goal.
What they did well
The Vikings ran for 159 yards, led by Jerick McKinnon with 95 yards and a touchdown. McKinnon also caught 6 passes and led the Vikings with 51 yards receiving. The Vikings defense did not allow the Bears to run a play in the red zone. The Vikings won the turnover battle with an interception and fumble recovery without turning the ball over themselves. The interception led to the game winning field goal.
Where they needed improvement
Sam Bradford got off to a horrible start and was replaced by Case Keenum late in the first half. The Vikings allowed a sack for a safety, and they only had a 3-2 halftime lead. Bradford and Keenum combined for just 176 yards through the air. The offensive line allowed 4 sacks in all.
What is next
The Vikings host the Green Bay Packers in Week 6.
Chicago Bears
The Bears fell to the Minnesota Vikings at home 20-17.
What they did well
The Bears defense held the Vikings to 176 yards passing and held Sam Bradford to just 36 yards in the first half. Leonard Floyd and Akiem Hicks each had 2 sacks, and one of Floyd’s went for a safety. The Bears got a pair of touchdown passes, one from Mitch Trubisky and one from punter Pat O’Donnell. Trubisky’s touchdown, paired with a 2-point conversion, tied the game in the fourth quarter.
Where they needed improvement
The Bears had some ball security issues again this week. They lost a fumble and Trubisky threw an interception that led to the game-winning field goal. Trubisly finished with just 128 yards to go with that interception. The Bears could not get anything going in the first half, getting their only points on a safety.
What is Next
The Bears travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in Week 6.