NFC North Roundup: Last-Minute Wins for Bears, Lions, Ugly Play for the Packers

On Sunday, the three NFC North teams grabbed wins but none of them were pretty ones.

The Chicago Bears (6-1) entered the fourth quarter down 19-7 but rallied for the win against the Carolina Panthers (1-6) thanks to a clutch kick as the clock ran out. The Bears have won five consecutive games and remain at the top of the division.

Also playing a league-bottom team, the Green Bay Packers (5-3) were expected to play a blow-out game but the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6) gave the injury-depleted team a run for its money.

And for the Detroit Lions (3-4), they also needed some clutch play from quarterback Matt Stafford for the win against the Seattle Seahawks (4-4).

Bears defeat Panthers 23-22

Bears kicker Robbie Gould

After getting hit in Monday night’s game, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler came to Sunday’s game with bruised ribs. His play was off in the first half with sacks, incomplete passes and slow moves.

Boos could be heard at Solider Field.

Opposing quarterback Cam Newton, who has had own problems this season, looked confident in the first half. He led his team to a 13-7 advantage at halftime and by the fourth quarter, it was a 19-7 game. The Bears hadn’t scored in two quarters and an upset appeared to be on the horizon.

But not so fast.

Cutler kept his head down and led his team to a touchdown, followed by pick-six by cornerback Tim Jennings at the top of the fourth quarter. With a little over two minutes remaining, Cuter began marching his team down the field and set up his kicker Robbie Gould for the winning 41-yard field goal.

Once again the Bears’ defense was stellar and without its play, the team would not have won.

On Sunday, the Bears will play the Tennessee Titans. The bettors are giving the Bears win No. 6 at -3.5 with a 43.5 over/under.

Packers defeat Jaguars 24-15

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

Playing without some of their top offensive weapons as well as defensive leader Charles Woodson, the Packers relied on veteran wide receiver Donald Driver and its special teams to help score on Sunday.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had his team leading the entire game but at the bottom of the third quarter it was only a two-point game.

Rodgers hit Driver at the top of the fourth quarter to pull ahead and kicker Mason Crosby’s late field goal sealed the win.

For the day, the Packers had 238 yards on offense while the Jaguars had 341 offensive yards–100 higher than their average. Still, Rodgers got through the game going 22 for 35, 186 yards and two touchdowns.

With the scores, Rodgers now sits as No. 2 for the franchise with 153 touchdowns. But he has a ways to go to surpass Brett Favre’s 442 touchdown record.

As for Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert, he had his first 300-yard game (27 for 49, 303 yards) with one touchdown.

The Packers have won three in a row and are tied for the No. 2 division spot with the Minnesota Vikings. They host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and have an -11.5 nod with a 44 over/under for the win.

Lions defeat Seahawks 28-24

Lions QB Matt Stafford

After losing his wide receiver Nate Burleson on Monday to a broken leg, Lions quarterback Matt Stafford had to get some chemistry with Titus Young quickly for Sunday’s game.

Mission accomplished: Young had a career-high nine receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Stafford had a good day, going 34 for 39, 352 yards and three touchdowns. His game-winning touchdown pass with under a minute remaining was his second one this season.

The quarterback spread the offensive love around with another touchdown coming from wide receiver Ryan Broles and 120 combined yards from tight ends Tony Sheffler and Brandon Pettigrew.

As for Seattle’s rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, he was 25 for 35, 236 yards, two touchdowns and one pick.

This week, the Lions will play the Jaguars and could see another win with a -4 and 44 over/under.