Minnesota Vikings (Won against Lions 37-13; now 2-0); from Daily Norseman:
Views From the NFC North
Let’s be blunt: This team’s performance in the first half was a downright embarrassment. But hey, it’s better to win ugly than lose pretty. And despite the tough goings in Detroit for the Vikings, they escaped with an ugly win.
About that first half. It was a disaster. If the Vikings once again have the best run defense in the NFL, you sure didn’t see it today — because Kevin Smith was essentially getting five and six yards at will. There’s no getting around it: This is the worst performance from the defensive line and run defense that we’ve seen in quite some time. […]
The Vikings have had a healthy margin of error in these first two games, just based on the strength of the competition. They’ve been able to struggle early on before taking control in the second half. But as the schedule gets tougher, that luxury will disappear. Start slowly against the stronger teams in the league, and you’re done.
Detroit Lions (Lost to Vikings 37-13; now 0-2); from Pride of Detroit:
This was a tale of two halves for sure. In the first half the Lions were playing extremely well. Aside from a Matthew Stafford interception, the offense was controlling the ball and taking time off the clock. Thanks to a great running attack of Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris and couple Vikings penalties, the Lions moved down inside the 10 on one drive and Stafford threw his first touchdown pass in the NFL to Calvin Johnson. That put Detroit up 10-0, but it was really all downhill from there. […]
The Lions showed that they are a better team than last year with their performance in the first half, but they also showed that there is still lots of room for improvement with their play in the second half.
Chicago Bears (Won against Steelers 17-14; now 1-1); from Windy City Gridiron:
Jay Cutler threw 27 for 38 for 236, 2TDs and 0 INTs for a staggering 104.7 QB rating. The Bears run game once again proved to be next to useless though they have some good plays towards the end of the game, but Forte and the line are not getting it done.
It was just assumed that Hester was going to become our down field threat, but lookey lookey at what is happening. Rookie Johnny Knox is becoming our speed receiver and Hester is turning into a great possession receiver?! Knox had 6 receptions for 70 yards and a TD and Hester had 4 for 21. We also started to see a little of this Cutler/Olsen chemistry we kept hearing about. Olsen had 3 catches for 31 yards. Kellen Davis also had 5 for 38 and a TD. I wonder if this might turn out to be Desmond Clark’s last year.
Our defense played bad at times and had some lucky penalties called on the Pittsburgh offense, but they played tough and made the stops they needed for this win to happen. We have a lot of young guys playing, they will get better as the year goes on.
Green Bay Packers (Lost to Bengals 31-24; now 1-1); from Acme Packing Company:
Aaron Rodgers completed 21 passes for 261 yards to seven different receivers. With the run offense stalled for most of the game, he was their offense. His 43 yards rushing were late in the game, but key to setting up the final FG drive which kept the rally alive. […]
This might have not seemed like their biggest sin, but 141 yards rushing for RB Cedric Benson, with no run greater than 14 yards, is a major step back [for the defense]. They always got a nice gain on 1st down and it was unexpected after a physical, dominant performance last week against the Bears. Why wasn’t NT B.J. Raji in their at all?
The pass blocking [was ugly]. Last week, it was RT Allen Barbre who had an awful game. This week it was LT Chad Clifton, and backup LT Daryn Colledge, who turned DE Antwan Odom into the new Reggie White.
See More:
