NFC North – Week 7 Divisional Recap
The Vikings have taken over the lead in the North, with the Packers stumbling. The Bears won this week, while the Lions had their bye week.
Minnesota Vikings 5-2
Green Bay Packers 4-3
Detroit Lions 3-3
Chicago Bears 3-4
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Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings moved into first place with a 24-16 win at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
What they did well
The Vikings ran for 169 yards, led by Latavius Murry, who ran for 113 yards and a touchdown. Kai Forbath was 6 for 6 on field goal attempts, including 2 from 50+ yards. Everson Griffen led the defense with 2 sacks and a forced fumble. In all, the Vikings sacked Joe Flacco 5 times.
Where they needed improvement
The Vikings could not find the end zone in their 3 trips to the red zone. In fact, they only found the end zone once all day. Ironically, though Forbath was 6 for 6 on field goals, he missed his only point after attempt. Case Keenum passed for just 188 yards, and has thrown an interception in each of his last 2 games.
What is Next
The Vikings travel to London to face the Browns in Week 8.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers could not hold on at home and lost to the New Orleans Saints 26-17.
What they did well
Aaron Jones ran for a career-high 131 yards, including a 46 yard touchdown. Brett Hundley had a tough 14 yard touchdown run to give the Packers a 14-7 halftime lead. The Packer defense kept Drew Brees out of the end zone in the first half, picking him off twice.
Where they needed improvement
The Packers went three and out after both of the interceptions, failing to capitalize on a prime opportunity to open up a big lead. Hundley finished the day with just 87 passing yards and an interception. He had trouble with the deep ball, failing to connect on a free play in the first half. The defense allowed 161 rushing yards to go along with 331 passing yards from Brees.
What is Next
The have a bye in Week 8 and will host the Detroit Lions in Week 9.
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Detroit Lions
The Lions had a bye in Week 7.
What is next
The Lions host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8.
Chicago Bears
The Bears held on to beat the Carolina Panthers 17-3 at home in Week 7.
What they did well
Eddie Jackson stole this game for the Bears. He recovered a fumble in the first quarter and returned it for 75 yards and a touchdown. Not satisfied with that, he had an interception in the second quarter that he returned for 76 yards and a touchdown. That was more than enough scoring, as the rest of the Bears defense kept the Panthers out of the end zone and held them to under 300 total yards, tacking on 5 sacks in the process.
Where they needed improvement
The Bears needed a solid defensive performance because the offense did not do much. Mitch Trubisky only attempted 7 passes, completing 4 of them for 107 yards, with 70 of those yards coming on 1 pass to Tarik Cohen that set up their field goal. The running game was not much better, only gaining 68 yards. If you take away that one big play, the Bears only gained 83 yards all game.
What is Next
The Bears travel to New Orleans to face the Saints in Week 8.