NFC North Week 3 recap: Matt Nagy’s seat is getting hotter after Justin Fields’ disastrous debut

After the Detroit Lions’ Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, let’s check in with the rest of the NFC North and how they did on Sunday.

Bears offense non-existent against Browns, lose 26-6

Simply put, the Bears just did not show up for this game. In over 20 minutes of total possession, they managed to accumulate only 47 yards on 42 plays (1.1 yards per play). Yes, you read that right. Justin Fields, in his first NFL start, completed just six of his 20 pass attempts for 68 yards and was sacked nine times for a net positive of a single yard.

Head coach Matt Nagy was already on the hot seat, but now that seat is up in flames. He has a decision to make regarding the starting QB job and if he doesn’t start coming up with some solutions to the offensive woes, he might not make it to the end of the season.

The Bears’ defense did the best they could to keep this a close game. Up until the fourth quarter it was still a one-possession game, but the Browns managed to blow this one up on three straight scoring possessions to end the game.

Next game: vs. Lions (0-3)

Vikings score 23 unanswered against Seahawks to notch their first win

It was looking like Minnesota might join the Lions for a share of last place in the division, but things finally started to click for them halfway through the second quarter. After Seattle jumped out to a 17-7 lead, the Vikings marched down the field on a nine-play, 85-yard touchdown drive.

The Seahawks responded with a decent drive of their own, but lost all momentum on a 44-yard missed field goal attempt. Minnesota had three minutes remaining in the half to tie or gain the lead and Kirk Cousins did a fantastic job of chewing up all of the clock and finishing with his second passing touchdown of the day, this time to Justin Jefferson.

In the second half, it was all Minnesota, as they tacked on another nine points and held Seattle scoreless for a final score of 30-17. This was a great home opener for the Vikings after suffering a heartbreaking loss to the Arizona Cardinals the week prior.

Next game: vs. Browns (2-1)

Packers hold on late in exciting primetime matchup over 49ers, 30-28

Just when you think the Packers are finally coming back down to Earth, they bounce back from an utter blowout in Week 1 and win two straight. After a convincing win against the Lions last week, this proved to be a tough test on the road against the 2-0 49ers.

San Francisco trailed all game, but their resilience paid off when they took the lead for the first time in the game with 37 seconds left. But anyone who knows football knows that’s simply way too much time to leave on the clock for Aaron Rodgers.

So as anyone could have predicted, Rodgers and the offense needed only two completed passes to get the ball into 49ers territory to set up a 51-yard game-winning field goal for Mason Crosby, which he nailed.

As a result, the Packers, and especially Rodgers, are regaining their confidence and look like the biggest threat to run away with the division. Hooray...

Next game: vs. Steelers (1-2)

NFC North Standings after Week 3

1. Green Bay Packers (2-1)
t-2. Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
t-2. Chicago Bears (1-2)
4. Detroit Lions (0-3)

The Lions are in an all too familiar spot in the cellar of the division, but next week they have a chance to at least pull up a chair for the Bears to join them as they head to Chicago. The Packers are looking like the favorites to probably win this division once again, and despite being 1-2, the Vikings actually have a positive point differential through three games and seem slightly better than their record indicates.