NFC North Week Two Results
Week two of the NFL preseason is nearly complete. The NFC North teams split their games this weekend with the Chicago Bears beating the San Diego Chargers 33-28 and the Green Bay Packers beating the St. Louis Rams 19-7. The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Buffalo Bills 20-16 and the Detroit Lions lost to the Cleveland Browns 24-6.
The Bears did look good with the first string offense on the field. Jay Cutler was 4 of 5 with a touchdown but he was sacked twice and also threw a pick. Still, Chicago had a 20-0 lead midway through the second period. That’s not bad for a second preseason game. Matt Forte had 74 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and Michael Bush had 11 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers Aaron Rodgers is a bit frustrated after his second straight game without a touchdown pass. The Packers offense moved the ball well in their win over the Rams, but had to settle for field goals. The Pack led 9-0 at the half and 12-0 in the third quarter. Rodgers went 10 for 12 for 134 yards and backup B. J. Coleman was 8 of 13 for 86 yards. The Packers however bogged down in the red zone. The defense stuffed the Rams though. St. Louis did not score until the final minute of the game.
The Lions looked awful in a loss to the Browns on Thursday. Brandon Weeden carved the defense up for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 8 of 12 passing. By the time starters were being pulled, the Browns were up 17-0. Matt Stafford was 11 of 16 but for only 74 yards. The defense also allowed a 17 yard run to Trent Richardson and a 31 yard run to Dion Lewis. The Lions longest run from scrimmage was 9 yards.
The Vikings went with little known quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson out of Sacramento State. He was 10-17Â for 107 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Christian Ponder was 5 of 12 for 53 yards. Ponder was last year’s staring quarterback. It looks as if there is a quarterback controversy brewing in Minnesota.
Next week’s NFC North games include;
New England Patriots at Detroit Lions– the Lions will need to step it up on defense next week. Tom Brady should get a long look in week three. If Weeden carved them up, what will Brady do? This could get ugly.
Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders– The Bears should look good against the lowly Raiders. Oakland’s offense is not very good and the Bears defense has been playing very good football. Look for Chicago to dominate.
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers– a nationally televised game on Friday night and this should be a good one. The first stringers get their longest stints in week three typically so this is almost like a regualr season game between two teams that may meet in the playoffs. Don’t miss this one. The Seahawks already look in mid-season form. We’ll see if the Packers can finally punch it in the end zone.
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers– This is a bit of a homecoming for Bethel-Thompson. Also on national TV on Sunday night, the Niners defense will be a stiff test for the young quarterback.
