NFC North Week 11 recap: Division gets swept, Bears win the week anyway

Packers fall in overtime to the Colts, 34-31

The Packers really had a firm grasp of this game, but ended up losing in Lions fashion. After an opening drive fumble from each team, the Packers were the first to score on a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to tight end Robert Tonyan. The Colts responded immediately, tying the game on a 45-yard touchdown reception to Michael Pittman. From there, it was all Green Bay to end the first half, as they got out to a 28-14 lead.

Here’s how the second half (plus overtime) went for the Packers:

Drive 1: 3 plays, 6 yards, PUNT
Drive 2: 3 plays, 4 yards, PUNT
Drive 3: 0 plays, 0 yards, FUMBLE
Drive 4: 9 plays, 43 yards, DOWNS
Drive 5: 10 plays, 86 yards, FIELD GOAL
Drive 6: 2 plays, 7 yards, FUMBLE

On their final drive of the second half, the Packers had a shot to right their mistakes and win the game in the final seconds, but they had to settle for a field goal to send things into overtime instead. They went on to win the toss and receive, but a costly fumble was all it took for them to lose the game.

The Packers fall to 7-3, but are still sitting comfortably in first place in the division.

Next game: vs. Bears (5-5)

Cowboys end Minnesota’s hot streak, Vikings lose 31-28

Losing to the Cowboys is a tough look no matter how you look at it, but at least they had Andy Dalton back in the fold to give them a much needed boost. The Vikings had the edge in time of possession and total yards, but it was their lack of discipline that really killed them.

Minnesota’s two first half fumbles allowed the the Cowboys to head into the locker room with a 16-7 lead, and credit to Dallas for hanging tough in the second half and closing things out with an Andy Dalton comeback TD drive.

The Vikings tried to go to their bread-and-butter and establish the run, and while they were mildly effective at it, the Cowboys were the ones dominating the trenches, finishing the game with 180 rushing yards on 31 attempts for 5.8 yards a pop.

Through the air, Kirk Cousins actually had one of his better performances (314 passing yards, 10.5 yards per attempt, 3 TDs, 0 INTs) and it was Adam Thielen on the other end doing most of the work (8 catches, 123 yards, 2 TDs).

If the Vikings want to get back to winning football games, they’ll have to clean up the little mistakes like penalties and turnovers, because they really should have won this game. Unfortunately for them, it may be too little, too late.

Next game: vs. Panthers (4-7)

NFC North Standings after Week 11

1. Green Bay Packers (7-3)
2. Chicago Bears (5-5)
t-3. Minnesota Vikings (4-6)
t-3. Detroit Lions (4-6)

The Bears really won the week and they didn’t even have to play. The rest of the North managed to get swept, with the Vikings and Lions losing their games while being favored prior to kickoff. The division hasn’t gotten to “NFC Least” levels of ineptitude quite yet, but it’s not looking pretty right now for these teams in the Midwest. At least the Packers put up a fight against a good football team. I’m sure they’ll be fine.