NFC North Week 13 Recap
There were only two games played this week by teams from the NFC North with the other two teams being on their bye week.
Detroit Lions 33, New Orleans Saints 28
The start of this game set a false precedent of how the rest of the game would play out. The Lions were able to score 21 points at a blazing speed in the first seven minutes of the first quarter. They proceeded to crumble on offense with two straight three-and-outs placing the weak point of the team, the defense on the field more and more.
The Saints quickly took over the momentum of the game in the second quarter scoring a touchdown while the Lions’ offense continued to sputter each drive they were given just barely squeaking out a field goal at the end of the first half.
The Lions would not come out any better from halftime continuing to struggle on offense with what was nothing short of sketchy play calling constantly putting them in third and long situations. The Saints would score two touchdowns in the third quarter and the Lions would not score a touchdown until the fourth quarter where they were able to turn an interception into a touchdown to wide receiver Jameson Williams.
The fourth quarter continued the nail-biter of a football game that was unfolding in the Superdome. The Saints lost quarterback Derek Carr halfway through the quarter leaning on QB Jameis Winston to continue the Saints’ momentum on offense. The Lions’ defense stepped up and made a big fourth down stop close to the two-minute warning. They would proceed to nearly fumble the game with more head-scratching decisions. Deciding to throw on second down which was incomplete, the following third down they would throw once again and find the star of today’s game tight end Sam LaPorta. They found themselves in another third-down situation shortly after where Goff would extend the play and find wide receiver Josh Reynolds to finally ice the game.
The blame for the inability of the offense to get going cannot be solely on QB Jared Goff, who played a great game not turning the ball over once. Instead, the eyes should be focused more on Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and his repetitive play calls, on primarily first downs. The Lions rushed 15 times on first down and passed only three times heading into the fourth quarter. Once they utilized play action on first down, they finally saw substantial yardage on first down which helped them avoid second and third down situations where they needed five or more yards for the first.
The saving grace of the game was stated earlier in rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. LaPorta would finish with nine receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown. If the team needed someone in a tough situation today it was always LaPorta bailing the team out.
This game should not have been as close as it was and continues the narrative about the Lions being question marks when it comes to how good the team actually and how far they can go in the current NFC playoff picture.
Chicago Bears: Bye Week
Minnesota Vikings: Bye Week
Green Bay Packers 27, Kansas City Chiefs 19
The Chiefs fell yet again to another NFC North opponent that they were favored to win against. This matchup turned out to be a shootout with Packers quarterback Jordan Love coming out on top against Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs’ run game was a big problem for the Packers, especially having to deal with running back Isiah Pacheco, who rushed for 110 yards on the ground.
Jordan Love continued his hot streak throwing for 267 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. While the Packers had a rough patch in the middle of the season they seem to be hitting a head of steam at the perfect moment. This marks their third straight win in a row bringing a squad that was thrown a way by many analysts to now be in contention for a playoff spot.
The Packers’ defense was able to keep Mahomes in check most of the game even getting an interception off of him.
The game came down to a controversial finish at the end with the Chiefs trailing by eight points and going for a hail mary at the end of the game. The controversy came from a supposed no-call of pass interference against Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
NFC North Standings After Week 13:
1. Detroit Lions (9-3)
2. Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
3. Green Bay Packers (6-6)
4. Chicago Bears (4-8)
