NFC North Rundown: Matt Nagy’s “dark side” reveals itself after Bears’ London loss

In spite of an adventurous fourth quarter of a football game that never seemed to end, the Green Bay Packers held on to defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 34-24, last Sunday. The win moved Green Bay to 4-1 in the early season and alone on top of the NFC North division once again. The Packers face Detroit next week in another inner-division clash fresh off the Lions’ bye week.

In Chicago, the scene is a bit testy as the Bears fell to Oakland in an underwhelming game on foreign soil over the weekend. The “dark side” of Head Coach Matt Nagy came out in the aftermath of the loss, hoping to inspire a Bears team that has not lived up to its own expectations through five games. While it is certainly too early to jump ship, several things need to turn around for Chicago to reach its playoff potential again in 2019.

More on why to believe in a Bears turnaround, as well as an unexpected presidential call to Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins in today’s divisional rundown.

Chicago Bears (3-2)

Lost 24-21 vs. Oakland; Bye week next

Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on Bears’ 24-21 loss to the Raiders in London in Week 5

Oakland executed its gameplan, specifically in the run game, to neutralize their former edge rusher Khalil Mack.

A ‘dark side’ to Matt Nagy? The coach says yes, when the Bears need it

The Chicago head coach was not pleased after a sub-par loss and let his team know about it.

Chicago Bears: Too soon to panic after loss to Raiders

Reasons for optimism in Chicago: the Bears’ offense cannot get much more frustrating and the defense has proven it can be a lot better than it has displayed so far.

Detroit Lions (2-1-1)

Bye week; Next at Green Bay

First quarter grades for the disrespected Detroit Lions

Following the bye week, here are positional grades for Detroit at the one-quarter point.

Lions’ Kerryon Johnson, Packers’ Aaron Jones get it done, despite cautious workload

The two teams’ best backs will square off this week, emerging this season after neither carried the ball more than 20 times in 2018.

O’HARA: Offense finding rhythm in Bevell’s scheme

No stranger to Packers’ fans for his ties to the Wisconsin Badgers and Minnesota Vikings, Darrell Bevell’s offense, particularly through the air, has impressed thus far in Detroit.

Minnesota Vikings (3-2)

Won 28-10 vs. New York Giants; Next vs. Philadelphia

Vikings Bounce Back, Beat Giants: Game Notes

A pair of former first-round cornerbacks graded out well and limited opposing receivers on Sunday as part of several notes from the contest.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins receives congratulatory call from Trump: report

The Minnesota quarterback received an unexpected call following a 306-yard passing performance.

Vikings WR Stefon Diggs after Sunday’s win: ‘I want to be in Minnesota’

The rumor mill has been swirling for the Vikings’ star receiver, but it appears he is interested in remaining in Minnesota for the time being despite his comments last week.