Around the NFC North: Vikings and Lions

by Brandon on Oct 11, 2009 11:40 PM CDT in News Comment 2 comments

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson stands on the sidelines with his leg wrapped during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. Johnson was injured in the first quarter and did not return to the game. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

4 months ago: Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson stands on the sidelines with his leg wrapped during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. Johnson was injured in the first quarter and did not return to the game. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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Only two NFC North games this weekend, as both the Green Bay Packers and the Bears are on their bye weeks.

The Vikings managed to do something the Packers did earlier this season: win a game in St. Louis against the hapless Rams. From Anthony at Daily Norseman:

In an exciting game on Sunday afternoon, the St. Louis Rams completed a decisive victory over the St. Louis Rams. The Vikings? They did indeed show up. Hopped on a plane from Minneapolis, took a bus to the Edward Jones Dome, put their uniforms on, and did what they needed to do to win. Scored some points, completed some drives. But without numerous key turnovers by the Rams, this game could have been a much different story.

Meanwhile, the Packers next opponent, the Lions, hung tough at home against the Steelers, but came up short in the end. The Steelers just aren't playing great football right now. The Lions almost matched them statistically, but they got very lucky in that they had four fumbles and didn't lose any of them. Although QB Daunte Culpepper threw an INT right after he recovered a fumble. From Sean at Pride of Detroit:

What is so disappointing about this game is how close the Lions were to sending it to overtime or even simply winning in regulation. When you consider how many blown chances there were all game long by the Lions on both sides of the ball, they really did give it away to Pittsburgh. Some of the blown opportunities were just unlucky, like Jason Hanson missing a field goal for the first time in ages. Others were stupid mistakes, like when Culpepper tried to throw the ball away after a fumble and it went right to a Steelers player for the interception. That play alone cost the Lions a shot at a field goal and perhaps a chance to win the game on that last drive, but then again, the Steelers defense wasn't about to let Detroit do anything once it got in position to score at the end.

Bonus misery for the Lions: WR Calvin Johnson was injured during the game. We probably won't know how bad it is until later this week.

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At least Lions fans can take comfort in knowing there are several other teams worse than them this year.

by Charlie Kelly on Oct 12, 2009 7:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope they get on a roll here.

For greedy reasons of course because I’m going to the next two games. I’m more worried about the Cleveland game just because it’s an away game and it’s a 5 hour drive home if they lose. Both of these teams though with a win under their belt now are going to be playing with more confidence, so hopefully the Packers don’t sleepwalk.

"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth

by TkGoUWGB on Oct 12, 2009 9:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs