NFC North Division Recap, Week 2: Bears Take Early Lead

After two weeks and two games against division winners from the 2012 season, the Green Bay Packers sit at 1-1 with another playoff team awaiting next Sunday before an early bye week. However, each of the other NFC North teams has played at least one divisional game already, and one has jumped out to an early 2-0 record. Here's how the Packers' divisional rivals performed this weekend.

Chicago Bears 31, Minnesota Vikings 30

The Vikings raced out to an early lead as rookie Cordarrelle Patterson took the opening kickoff back for a score, but the Bears bounced back with two passing touchdowns from Jay Cutler to take a 14-7 lead after the first quarter. The Minnesota offense sputtered much of the day, as Christian Ponder completed only 16 of 30 passes for 227 yards, one score, and an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Tim Jennings.

The Vikings' defense put points on the board as well, as Jared Allen forced a fumble from Cutler, which Brian Robison scooped up and took back 61 yards for a score. The second half saw much less scoring, though as the only Vikings points came on three Blair Walsh field goals. The Bears were held scoreless until their final drive when, down 30-24, Cutler led a 10-play drive that culminated in a 16-yard touchdown to Martellus Bennett to take the lead with just seconds left.

The Bears moved to 2-0 on the young season with the win and a 1-0 division record, while the Vikings fall to 0-2 with both losses to NFC North teams.

Arizona Cardinals 25, Detroit Lions 21

A week after Reggie Bush ran all over the Vikings' defense, he couldn't get much going against the Cardinals as the Lions couldn't sustain their offensive success and fell in Arizona. Calvin Johnson got back on track, hauling in six passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns, but both scores came in the second quarter as the offense did not score a point in the second half.

The Lions' only score after halftime came on a DeAndre Levy interception return that he took back to the house - only this time Ndamukong Suh did not negate it with a stupid, dirty block behind the play. Otherwise, the offense was abysmal - their second half drives in order went fumble, three-and-out, three-and-out, blocked field goal, three-and-out, and turnover on downs.

The Lions fall to 1-1, but are 1-0 in the division with their week 1 win over the Vikings.

Standings

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