NFC North Rundown: Bears get back in win column with change in playcalling

Good teams take advantage of struggling teams and find ways to win. On Sunday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers did just that with a 27-17 win over Pittsburgh at home.

Despite playing without previously injured Za’Darius Smith and then losing Jaire Alexander in-game, the Packers’ defense found a way to contain Pittsburgh’s passing game throughout the contest. Injuries, however, will be a topic of serious conversation in Green Bay this week as more is learned about Alexander’s status. Elsewhere in the division, injuries continue to stack up in Detroit, while a key offensive player in Chicago may have survived a scare of his own.

But the talk of the division this week centers around Matt Nagy and the Bears Head Coach’s decision to hand playcalling duties back to Offensive Coordinator Bill Lazor. Chicago’s scoring and yardage outputs were immediate upgrades on Sunday as the Bears bested the Lions. Today’s rundown recaps the offensive showing, while revealing a small way in which Lazor’s presence is beneficial to young Justin Fields.

Detroit Lions (0-4)

Lost 24-14 at Chicago; Next at Minnesota

RECAP: Lions at Bears

Chicago led from start to finish, despite the Lions trying to creep back into the game. Here is the story in a nutshell.

Dan Campbell: ‘I was trying to give us an upper hand’ with aggressive fourth down plays

The analytics didn’t work out in Detroit’s favor on Sunday, specifically on two fourth-down red zone plays.

Detroit Lions lose top pass-rusher Romeo Okwara for season to torn Achilles

Tough injury news just keeps coming for Detroit’s defense with another key player lost for the season.

Chicago Bears (2-2)

Won 24-14 vs. Detroit; Next at Las Vegas

Notes: Bears bounce back as Justin Fields leads them to win vs. Lions

A thorough synopsis of the Bears’ offense and defense precedes conversation about the team’s new defensive coordinator and a potential draft bust.

Justin Fields explains difference between Matt Nagy and Bill Lazor as play callers

A sense of calmness appears to be a favorable asset for Lazor in playcalling duties.

Initial tests on David Montgomery’s knee reportedly don’t indicate a major injury after the Chicago Bears RB’s 2-TD day was cut short

The Bears are awaiting further news on the running back’s knee, but it looks to be more of a hyperextension than a serious injury.

Minnesota Vikings (1-3)

Lost 14-7 vs. Cleveland; Next vs. Detroit

Browns defense dominates Vikings, Minnesota falls to 1-3

A timeout blunder before halftime was one of a few key moments in the Vikings’ loss.

Vikings’ loss to Browns reopens debate about offensive line

There is concern about the Vikings’ line after struggling to stop Myles Garrett and others, even in max protection.

Mike Zimmer expects top Vikings defender to return to field in Week 5

It looks like Anthony Barr is set to take the field for the first time of the 2021 season this week.