Around the NFC North: Preseason Week 3

Let’s take a quick look at what happened in week three of the please don’t get hurt season.

Chicago Bears fall to Cincinnati Bengals, 21-10

The Bears dropped their first preseason game of 2015, losing to the Bengals on Saturday night. Being the preseason, the biggest takeaway in any of these games is going to be the injuries. The Bears had a number of players leave the game, including rookie defensive lineman Eddie Goldman (concussion), though none appear to be serious as they were all cleared to return.

In terms of their actual play on the field, the Bears first team offense struggled to do much of anything, punting on their first four possessions before kicking a field goal just before the half. Jay Cutler played through the first drive of the second half and, in attempt to find positivity, at least didn’t turn the ball over. He finished 13 of 17, but with just 98 yards.

On the defensive side, the Bears allowed touchdowns on three of the Bengals’ first four possessions, two of which came with former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron on the field. Andy Dalton left the game early as a precaution for a sore neck.

All in all, this is one of those games that the Bears will just be happy to walk away from with few concerns on the injury front, as they showed very little on the field to be positive about.

Next up: The Bears will host the man they made rich, Josh McCown, on Thursday night when they play the Cleveland Browns.

Green Bay Packers lose to Philadelphia Eagles, 39-26

I doubt any team is more ready for the preseason to be over than the Packers after they had multiple injury scares again on Saturday.

Just a week after losing Jordy Nelson, the Packers had their other top receiver go down after Randall Cobb left in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. As of Sunday, he is expected to undergo further evaluation, but he appears to have not broken his collarbone. It is still unclear if he returns for the season opener against the Bears, but it doesn’t sound like it should be anything long-term.

In addition, starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga and cornerback Micah Hyde also left with injuries, with neither being classified as serious right now.

On the field, the Packers couldn’t contain Sam Bradford who went a perfect 10-10 with 121 yards and three touchdowns. Offensively, without Aaron Rodgers, there isn’t much to take away, though it sounds like Brett Hundley did play well in his first preseason start.

Next up: The Packers host the Saints on Thursday night, and will crowdsource their starting lineup in an attempt to avoid injuries.

Minnesota Vikings beat Dallas Cowboys, 28-14

The Vikings quarterbacks, including former Lion Shaun Hill, combined to throw just three incompletions in 27 attempts on Saturday as they moved to a mark of 8-0 in the preseason over the last two years. The only injury scare came when punter Jeff Locke appeared to injure his ankle, though he returned later in the game.

Teddy Bridgewater was perfect in his seven pass attempts for 76 yards, resulting in one field goal in his two possessions. Cordarrelle Patterson also returned a kickoff 107 yards for a touchdown. Both scores from Dallas came in the second quarter off throws from Tony Romo, including a 60 yard touchdown to Terrance Williams.

While there is nothing to take away from it, I feel I should mention that the two teams also combined to somehow go 0 for 21 on third down conversions.

Next up: The Vikings, by virtue of playing in the HOF game, will play a fifth preseason game as they take on the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night in their quest for preseason immortality.