What we learned this weekend is this: The NFC North is completely up for grabs, which should soothe the tattered nerves of worried Vikings fans.
Packers vs. Lions: I said before the Vikings played the Lions that this is an improved team. But they’re still the Lions and, as was proven again last Sunday, they will find a way to lose.
It was all the Packers could do to hang on for the win.
Telling statistic: The Lions had 13 penalties yet still only lost by 2 points. In Green Bay.
Bears vs. Giants: That was a brutal game.
The Bears couldn’t run. The Bears couldn’t pass. The Bears couldn’t protect Jay Cutler. The Bears couldn’t do a damn thing against the New York Football Giants.
Telling statistics:
- The Bears could not convert one third down…on 13 tries.
- Average gain per rushing play: 3.7 yards
- Average gain per passing play: 1.4 yards
- Number of sacks given up: 10
Poor Chester Taylor.
Green Bay Packers beat writers must have the phrase “chose his words deliberately but diplomatically” on auto complete because it seems like I see that phrase close to any Aaron Rodgers quote, like in this recap of Sunday’s game.
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reports that the NFL will now penalize and fine Jared Allen if he takes a knee to do his calf-roping celebration routine. The calf-roping part is apparently fine; it’s the knee on the ground that has got the league’s dander up. Judd Zulgad and Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune explain.