State of the NFC North, Week 11 recap

All four NFC North teams were back in action this week in a slate that saw Josh Dobbs euphoria come to an end, Jordan Love’s career day, and the cracks possibly showing in Detroit. The Lions struggled in a divisional showdown with the Bears, but ultimately prevailed to capitalize on the Vikings’ loss and extend their division lead. And, because of Chicago’s loss, the Packers got a bit of breathing room, slowly climbing out of reach of the Bears, who still reside in the pit of despair that is fourth place in the North. The Vikings and Josh Dobbs ran into a Denver Broncos team that is suddenly 5-2 since the Miami Dolphins played whack-a-mole with their defense to the tune of 70 points. The division stayed relatively healthy this week; Aaron Jones being the lone star player whose season could be over. With a Turkey Day game just a few hours away, let’s jump into this week’s recap.

Current Standings:

Detroit Lions (8-2)

Minnesota Vikings (6-5)

Green Bay Packers (4-6)

Chicago Bears (3-8)

Detroit Lions (8-2) Week 11 Result: 31-26 win over the Chicago Bears (3-8)

Week 12 Opponent: Green Bay Packers (4-6)

Jared Goff had a rough go of it vs. the Bears on Sunday. Until orchestrating a touchdown drive with four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Goff’s day was marred by three interceptions; his first game with more than two INT’s since 2019. Despite a 26-14 deficit and four team turnovers, the Lions did what they’ve done all year; they just found a way. With 3:06 left, Goff hit Jameson Williams for a score to close the gap to 26-21. A Bears three and out later, Goff hit the field again to lead Detroit on an 11 play, 73 yard touchdown drive capped off by David Montgomery in his first game against the team that drafted him. Aidan Hutchinson clinched the game with a strip sack of Justin Fields and a safety. This was his first sack since week 5. The 8-2 start is the Lions’ best since 1962.

Next up is today’s turkey day game vs. the Packers.

Minnesota Vikings (6-5) Week 11 Result: 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos (5-5)

Week 12 Opponent: Chicago Bears (3-8)

The Vikings’ five game winning streak came to an end in week 11, marking the close of a thrilling chapter most recently written by the heroics of Josh Dobbs. The celebrated QB threw for 221 and scored through the air and on the ground, making him the first to pull that feat off in his first three games with a team. Denver survived on field goals the entire game and only produced one touchdown: the game winner to Courtland Sutton with a minute left, caught over Mekhi Blackmon, who was starting in place of injured corner Akayleb Evans.

Winning the turnover battle proved crucial in such a tight contest, and the Vikings got off to another bad start with a fumble on their first drive. The 3-0 turnover margin provided the opening Denver needed to kick down the door. On the Vikings’ final drive, Josh Dobbs was relentlessly pressured and had no chance to make magic happen. As Minnesota

Minnesota is still firmly in the playoff picture in a weak NFC and will look to regroup against the Bears this week, when they will hopefully have superstar receiver Justin Jefferson back in the mix.

Green Bay Packers (4-6) Week 11 Result: 23-20 win over the LA Chargers (4-6)

Week 12 Opponent: Detroit Lions (8-2)

LOVE TO DOUBS. Packers regain the lead with 2 minutes left!

: #LACvsGB on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/f8RhIrLzud

— NFL November 19, 2023 Facing off against one of the best signal callers in the league on Sunday, Jordan Love met the moment. After coming up short in so many close games, the Packers finally kept their wits about them and outlasted a Chargers team experiencing their own struggles in late game situations. Love became the first Packers quarterback to throw for 300 yards since December 12, 2021: a streak of 27 straight games, the longest in the league. The Packers needed every yard.

The injury bug once again struck, this time hitting Aaron Jones and Emmanuel Wilson in the second quarter and leaving AJ Dillon as the only healthy back. Of course, that doesn’t include rookie Jayden Reed, who had a second stellar week highlighted by a 32 yard touchdown run. He’s heating up! Dontayvion Wicks also joined in on the fun and recorded his career high total in yardage for a third straight week. He’s on fire!

On defense, the Packers were able to withstand a brilliant day from Justin Herbert, in large part because of a woeful performance from his supporting cast. The Chargers only managed one red zone touchdown and fumbled inside the 10 yard line, which made the difference in the game. Carrington Valentine continued to step up in a bid to replace Rasul Douglas. The rookie broke up three passes and looks like he might just be a dude.

Next up for the Packers is today’s Thanksgiving matchup against the division leading Detroit Lions as they look to further cement themselves as the cream of the NFC crop.

Chicago Bears (3-8) Week 11 Result: 31-26 loss to the Detroit Lions (8-2)

Week 12 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings (6-5)

The 1-2 punch is BACK

: #CHIvsDET on FOX pic.twitter.com/dpUpUZCkI2

— Chicago Bears November 19, 2023 In a disappointing 3-8 season defined by a lack of improvement and the loss of their starting quarterback, the Bears’ loss to the Lions on Sunday may have been the most shocking. The Lions’ offense had one of its sloppiest performances of the year. Justin Fields couldn’t be contained on the ground. The Bears led in time of possession by 20 minutes. None of it was enough.

From Doug Colletti...
Since 1932, no #NFL team with a +3 turnover margin & 40min time of possession had EVER lost that game.
Teams were 48-0 until the #Bears lost today.
It’s not an overstatement to call this a historic loss.

— Silvy November 19, 2023 While every loss comes with the ultimate consolation prize of a top five pick, this one stung. The Bears’ best chance to close this one out came on 3rd and 9 with 2:51 left in the fourth quarter. Justin Fields’ threw his best ball of the day, an absolute moon shot to Tyler Scott, who beat Cam Sutton off the line with ease. Safety Kerby Joseph couldn’t make it over in time, making for an easy catch. The only problem: Scott slowed up for a split second, the ball fell incomplete, and the Bears were forced to punt.

Watch closely if Tyler Scott judges this ball correctly and doesn’t slow down for a split second he gets to this ball. #DaBears #Bears #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/WbyPhIMrZz

— Clay Harbor November 19, 2023 Two questionable field goal decisions by Matt Eberflus loomed large over the end result in this one: one on a fourth and 1 from the Lions’ 23 and another on a fourth and 5 from their 21. Eberflus didn’t regret the decisions, saying “The first one put us up nine and the second one meant they had to score two touchdowns, we just didn’t make plays at the end of the game.”

Despite the collapse, the Bears will look to build on this performance, particularly from their young QB, in a Monday night tilt against the Vikings this week. They may be without D’Onta Foreman, who left the game with an ankle injury and is questionable, and center Lucas Patrick, who left with a back injury and is doubtful for Monday night.

That’s it for our week 11 recap! The NFC North will be in the spotlight with two national tv games between division rivals, one on Thanksgiving and one on Monday night. Check back next week to recap all the action.