NFC North – Week 8 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 6-2
Green Bay Packers 4-3
Detroit Lions 3-4
Chicago Bears 3-5
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Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings traveled to London and beat the Cleveland Browns 33-26.
What they did well
Case Keenum threw for nearly 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns. They scored 18 unanswered points to finish the game. Adam Thielen caught 5 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings turned 2 turnovers into a pair of field goals.
Where they needed improvement
The Vikings struggled in the first half. They had a halftime deficit against one of only two winless team in the NFL. The Browns blocked an extra point, which looked huge in the third quarter when the Browns led 16-15. The Vikings allowed a sack and 9 tackles for a loss.
What is Next
The Vikings have a bye in Week 9 and travel to Washington to face the Redskins in Week 10.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers had a bye in Week 8.
What is Next
The Packers host the Detroit Lions for Monday Night Football in Week 9.
Detroit Lions
What they did well
Matthew Stafford threw for 423 yards and no interceptions, with Marvin Jones getting 128 of those yards on 6 catches. The Lions had the edge in time of possession as they outgained the Steelers by 90 yards. Their defense forced 2 turnovers that led to 3 points. Matt Prater was 5 for 5 on field goal attempts.
Where they needed improvement
The Lions could not find the end zone. They had to settle for 5 field goals and lost by 5 points. The key play in the game was a 4th down on the Steeler 1 yard line late in the third quarter. Stafford was sacked for a 1 yard loss and the Steelers took over on the 2 yard line. The Steelers took over and ended up scoring a 97 yard touchdown to take a 20-12 lead.
What is next
The Lions travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers for Monday Night Football in Week 9.
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Chicago Bears
The Bears went to New Orleans and lost to the Saints 20-12.
What they did well
The Bears hung in this game. They kept Drew Brees to under 300 yards and out of the end zone. Jordan Howard went over 100 yards on the ground and added another 19 receiving on 3 catches. The Bears were in position to tie the game twice late in the fourth quarter.
Where they needed improvement
Mitch Trubisky completed less that 50% of his passes for just 164 yards and an interception. The Bear defense held the Saints offense to 20 points, but the offense just could not capitalize on that. They had two chances late in the fourth quarter, but failed to score the potentially tying touchdown.
What is Next
The Bears have a bye in Week 9 and host the Green Bay Packers in Week 10.