NFC North Week 1 recap: Everybody sucks

Every week, we’re going to look around the Detroit Lions’ division to see what happened with the other NFC North teams. While the Lions may not have a great shot at winning the division, seeing where these teams are currently headed will certainly impact how quickly Detroit turns around their franchise.

And who knows? If the division plays like they did in Week 1 for the rest of the year... well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

The NFC North sucked on Sunday. Let’s talk about it.

Packers lose in embarrassing fashion to the Saints, 38-3

In this week’s episode of “Things You Love to See,” we explore the possibility of whether Aaron Rodgers just ain’t it anymore. A measly 133 passing yards on 28 attempts, zero touchdowns and two interceptions has got to be the worst performance of his career after a very strange offseason in which not everyone was even sure whether he’d be playing football again. His 36.8 passer rating was the fourth lowest in his career, and it was just the third time ever that he finished with multiple interceptions and zero touchdowns.

But seriously, this is still Aaron Rodgers we’re talking about, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this just ended up being a wake up call for him. Unfortunately, it will probably help that his next test will be the Lions’ defense.

In terms of the game itself, I was extremely surprised to see the final score after walking back from Ford Field and seeing a 3-0 score in the second quarter on a television at a nearby bar. The Saints’ offense, led by Jameis Winston, strung together five touchdowns in their next six drives, all through the air.

The most important thing to come from this game is Winston’s amazing soundbite, which will be hard to top this year.

Next game: vs. Lions (0-1) on MNF

Vikings lose to the Bengals in overtime, 27-24

After an awful start offensively, the Vikings did manage to make a game out things with the Bengals taking their foot off the gas in the second half. Still, the Vikings’ offensive line did not look very good and neither did Kirk Cousins for most of the game. Head coach Mike Zimmer had some bizarre quotes regarding Cousins and the offensive line prior to and after Sunday’s game.

Or maybe, you know, the issue is that the offensive line just isn’t good.

Credit to Joe Burrow having himself a very good game which included this beauty of a throw to rookie first-round pick Ja’Marr Chase, who had some question marks surrounding him after supposedly struggling during camp/preseason this year.

Next game: @ Cardinals (1-0)

Bears blown out by the Rams on Sunday Night Football, 34-14

If you’re getting tired of hearing about Matthew Stafford looking good outside of Detroit, then you came to the wrong place. This was a statement game for him, and against a familiar opponent, he put together a record-setting performance on national television.

Here’s a look at his second every throw in a Rams uniform.

The Bears kept things close in the first half, but allowed the Rams to pull away in the second. Andy Dalton struggled offensively with just 5.4 yards per attempt and you get the feeling it may already be time for Justin Fields to step in as the starter moving forward.

NFC North Standings after Week 1

t-1. Minnesota Vikings (0-1)
t-1. Detroit Lions (0-1)
t-1. Chicago Bears (0-1)
t-1. Green Bay Packers (0-1)

If you’re a fan of any of these four teams, then don’t be upset! You’re not the only team that sucks. Even the Lions might have a shot to win the division simply as a result of everyone else’s failures.

If I had to bet on any of these teams turning their season around for the better, it’d be the Packers, but they looked like the worst of the bunch. This was truly a wild week of football and I’m here for it.