Around the NFC North: 2023 Week 17

Here's what's happening this week and next with the teams in the NFC North.

The season is starting to wind down. We've got one more NFC North match-up that will decide the fate of this Packers' team. Will they beat all expectations to be the playoff underdog no one wants to face? Or, will they choke again, probbaly on defense, and start the off-season early? For now, it's a waiting game, so let's review what happened this week in the NFC North. 

Lions

The Lions had one of the weirdest losses in recent history, 20-19 to the Cowboys. 

Game Notes

  • Get the weirdness over with first. The Lions scored with less than a minute left to bring the score to 20-19 and chose to go for two. They did one of those tricky plays where the left tackle reports as eligible and they throw it to him because why would the defense ever cover him, but the refs called a penalty for throwing to an ineligible player. The Lions say they declared the left tackle eligible and told the refs before the game that they may do the play, so it seems like an obvious ref screw-up.
  • Onto the game. Jared Goff had a Jared Goff game. 55% completion, 271 yards, two picks, etc. In addition to Goff Goffing, the run game did a mild Goff as well, totaling 125 yards, but taking 31 carries to do it in a game where they were down facing pass-centric defense for most of the game.  
  • You probably couldn't even say the defense did a Goffing if you looked at the counting stats. Sure they stopped the run, but they also allowed Dak to throw for 350 yards, with 227 of them going to CeeDee Lamb. 
  • The Lions have some legitimate referee complaints about the end of this game, but the Cowboys outplayed them for most of the game and I would probably take the Cowboys in a rematch. 

 

 

Next Week

The Lions finish off their regular season with the Vikings. 

Bears

Are the Bears this year's Lions? The Bears beat down the Falcons 37-17. 

Game Notes

  • I wouldn't say we know Justin Fields is a long-term above average starter after this season but he had another good enough game here with 268 pass yards, 45 rush yards, and no turnovers. Schefter reported before the game that the Bears are more than likely to keep Eberflus as head coach next year, I'd guess that they'll stick with Fields for another year too. There's a lot of evidence that QBs just take years to develop. Look at Geno Smith in Seattle, could actually be a smart move to stick with a QB as physically talented as Fields - if he can develop to a Geno like level throwing the ball to pair with his running ability, he'll be a very above average QB. 
  • His main weapons also showed out, Khalil Herbert had 124 rush yards at 6.9 yards per carry and DJ Moore had 159 receiving yards and a TD. 
  • The defense was also good, holding Taylor Heinicke to 10/29 for 163 yards, a TD, and three picks. Gross. 

 

 

Former Packers

  • TJ Edwards had a pick and Big Bog Tonyan had 3 catches for 40 yards. 

Next Week

The Bears will try to keep the Packers out of the playoffs in their season finale.  

Vikings

The Packers stomped the Vikings 33-10.

Game Notes

  • Jaren Hall made his first career start in this one and was benched by the start of the second half thanks to the Packers' pass rush and a few turnovers. 
  • Thanks to the ineptness at QB, there wasn't much doing at the ther spots on offense either. Ty Chandler had 40 rush yards, Justin Jefferson, and someone named Johnny Mundt had the only touchdown. 
  • The defense was exposed by the Packers offense. Aaron Jones got whatever he wanted all game and Jordan Love lit them up despite spending an entire half with Bo Melton as his number one wide receiver. It's possible that we've already reached the end of meaningful Vikings games with Brian Flores as DC. Let's hope he gets a head coach job somewhere and they make a bad decision replacing him. 

 

 

 

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__________________________

Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan who recently moved form Utah to Stoughton (a Madison suberb). You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.

__________________________

6 points
 

Comments (42)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Cheezehead72's picture

January 02, 2024 at 11:09 am

I do not know if the Bears are going to stick with Fields or are they going to draft another QB in the first round. I am leaning toward the Bears sticking with Fields and building a team around him. They are trending up so why would they want to start over but then this is the Bears.

Remember one of the terms for a group of Bears is a sloth.

10 points
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21Savage's picture

January 02, 2024 at 11:25 am

One thing I really don't understand about the Lions thing, if the plan all along was to have #68 report as eligible and the other two guys just be decoys, how come when the PA announcer and the official said "Number 70 has reported as eligible", why did absolutely no one on the Lions sideline try to correct it? They all heard it and none of them had any reaction. If that was incorrect, I would expect Campbell to be losing his mind screaming at the ref.

8 points
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10ve 💚's picture

January 02, 2024 at 10:06 pm

My thoughts exactly 21Savage!

1 points
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GregC's picture

January 02, 2024 at 11:40 am

That Ross Tucker video reveals a very interesting twist on what happened to the Lions. Essentially, they got a little too cute for their own good. But that's the way they roll. Like the fake punt deep in their own territory against the Packers. Or still trying to go for 2 against the Cowboys when the penalty backed them up to the 7-yard-line. You live by the sword, you die by the sword.

10 points
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splitpea1's picture

January 02, 2024 at 11:44 am

Cowboys--Lions: As much as some people may love the physical and aggressive mindset Campbell brings to the Lions, his high risk/high reward style sometimes backfires on him. His obstinacy in refusing to kick field goals or XPs even when the football gods are screaming at him to do it likely cost his team a win this time...And what can you say about Quinn's soft defense in letting the Lions march down the field in such short order at the end of the game? A sickness all too familiar--the Cowboys were lucky to win.

Packers--Vikings: The pass rush really did it's job putting the clamps on the Vikings QBs. I know we have a lot of young edge guys, but I will be sorry to see Preston Smith go if that's the way it turns out. He has been a very good signing.

Bears: Okay, they're on a bit of a roll. But wouldn't you just love a chance to play the Falcons again with our vastly improved offense?

9 points
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Bitternotsour's picture

January 02, 2024 at 12:12 pm

Preston Smith has been a poor man's Khalil Mack. He is a big, strong man at outside linebacker, and was indeed a very good signing. He also seems like a really good guy.

8 points
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T7Steve's picture

January 02, 2024 at 12:21 pm

I agree with your thinking on Preston Smith. Availability is one of the best abilities in my book.

When he went down with what looked at the time a serious injury, I freaked out. I thought "he never misses time" then he got taped up and went back in. Loved how that showed the rest of those hurt D players where they stood with the team. That's leadership.

9 points
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Starrbrite's picture

January 02, 2024 at 06:56 pm

Yes—the Broncos, Falcons, and Raiders.

2 points
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Bitternotsour's picture

January 02, 2024 at 11:50 am

"The Lions say they declared the left tackle eligible and told the refs before the game that they may do the play, so it seems like an obvious ref screw-up" - Not so fast. Campbell backed up today and said they were trying to confuse the Cowboys by sending in three lineman and running them up to the refs. The net effect was the refs identified 70 as the eligible and told the Cowboys that exact thing. Campbell's subterfuge actually cost him.

It's a good thing he owned up to that, I could see refs punishing him for throwing them under the bus.

Also, regarding the Bears. They'd be fools to pass on a QB at pick #1. If they give Fields a second contract they are insane. They have adequate tape on their guy. He is what he is, leopards don't turn into tigers. But the Bears, they'll always be the Bears. They will suck.

12 points
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Matt's picture

January 02, 2024 at 12:46 pm

If I was Bears GM, I'd draft the best QB and sell Fields for good capital. We know that Fields is not second Lamar Jackson. He may run even better, but is not a half the passer Lamar is. What is more, you rarely have occasion to freely choose whoever you want, especailly when you managed to build some roster like Bears did. Also there will be a market for Fields, I think you can get a second rounder for him.

But I am not Bears GM, I am a random Packers fan and I hope they'll stick with Fields. No matter if he'll be average, slightly sub- or over-, nothing shows he will be a MVP someday, and with a #1 pick we'd never know.

8 points
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10ve 💚's picture

January 02, 2024 at 10:12 pm

As a Packer fan, I hope that the Bears draft a QB with the number 1 pick. Why? Because they'll just waste him. they're the Bears after all 😁.

Whereas if they instead pick the top defensive guy or any other top position, the Packers will bear the brunt of that twice a year.

2 points
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jont's picture

January 02, 2024 at 02:16 pm

"'The Lions say they declared the left tackle eligible and told the refs before the game that they may do the play, so it seems like an obvious ref screw-up' - Not so fast. Campbell backed up today and said they were trying to confuse the Cowboys by sending in three lineman and running them up to the refs. The net effect was the refs identified 70 as the eligible and told the Cowboys that exact thing. Campbell's subterfuge actually cost him."

Yep.

Campbell said the plan was to confuse the Cowboys but they confused the refs too.

He also said he talked with the ref before the game about this play specifically. HE knew it was confusing.

I don't have a lot of sympathy. I don't like trick plays very much to start with, but if you've got to explain it to the ref in order to get away with it, well, you get what you get.

5 points
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croatpackfan's picture

January 03, 2024 at 01:02 pm

Bitternotsour - I watched the end of the game. Only one player showed by motion of his arms (moving them from up to down on torzo as signal of eligibility to the ref and he told him, too. It was 68 (I do not know his name). No 58 was going to the referee on the side of 68 and 70 was running from the sideline to the group, showing no signals and saying nothing.

Problem is that Lions used several times in that game No 70 as additional OL and he was reporting each of that time to the referees as eligible. So, referee assumed that he is the one who would be eligible. Problem is that referee has to be SURE, not ASSUMING which player is eligible and make proper announcement to the defense.

The deception Lions planned was to Cowboys mix 58 with 68 not with 70.

And, before every game referees has meeting with HCs of both team (separately) and on those meetings HC reports to referees which tricky play - if any - they possibly will use during game. For me, MAIN PROBLEM WAS THAT Brad Allen, Referee DID NOT SHOW ON THE MEETING WITH LIONS COACHES, so that is why he was confused at the end. He did not fulfill his duty, but will ask check for pathetic performance.

Do not forget that the same referee and crew was on KC at Packers game where they make severalk blatant mistakes (like stoping the clock while giving forward progress to KC player, or call for personal penalty on Owens who properly stopped Mahomes from further advancing, +giving the KC new 1st down and additional 15 yards forward Packers end field, and no call on possible PI from Valentine). Those kind of mistakes eventually deciding outcome of the games, not players and their plays.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 02, 2024 at 11:52 am

The Lions were trying to create confusion and they succeeded.

I think right now, today, Jan 2, the Packers are the best team in the division.

12 points
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Bitternotsour's picture

January 02, 2024 at 11:56 am

I believe that on the first day of the season the Packers were the best team in the division. They're finally catching up to what they are. This is not to denigrate the Lions. They're good.

3 points
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Bitternotsour's picture

January 02, 2024 at 11:58 am

I do fear the Bears getting a quarterback that can actually throw DJ Moore open. Penix with those receivers could be daunting (being left handed, notwithstanding)

5 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

January 02, 2024 at 12:05 pm

"Let's hope he gets a head coach job somewhere and they make a bad decision replacing him."

How about in Green Bay? Flores as HC, MLF as his OC, and a Flores disciple as his DC? Or Jim Leonard?

I know, I know...won't happen. But a fan can dream, can't he?

0 points
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Bitternotsour's picture

January 02, 2024 at 12:15 pm

I'd rather he just win his lawsuit against the NFL and take his 100 million and retire to a beach somewhere...

7 points
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Mo's picture

January 02, 2024 at 02:43 pm

Yeo. He should head to the beach, work on his
tan and just chill1

2 points
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Brewcity_BearsFan's picture

January 02, 2024 at 12:40 pm

The Bears should stick with Fields, and draft Marvin Harrison Jr to pair with DJ Moore, who has been as good as advertised. If they can trade the top pick, and still get Harrison, even better.

The Montez Sweat trade turned the defense around. Poles deserves credit for that.

Sunday should be a good game, and much closer then the first game this year. After it, Getsy and eff right off back to Green Bay. The Bears should watch Washington closely. If the staff is jettisoned, try and land Bienemy.

0 points
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Mo's picture

January 02, 2024 at 02:58 pm

It would be really tough for a D to handle a ream with
both DJ Moore and Harrison on it. Yikes!

0 points
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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

January 03, 2024 at 12:59 am

I'm glad we're not facing Marvin Harrison Jr and DJ Moore on Sunday. You just tell da Bares they better draft a QB - and take Butkus back while you're at it.

1 points
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Qoojo's picture

January 02, 2024 at 12:41 pm

At end of Lions game, you can see guy reporting to ref, but you don't see the ref acknowledging the guy. It's kind of on the player to get some sort of confirmation, then again, the player might have thought he was being acknowledged when it was the other player running up that was acknowledged.

I think the eligible reporting should be done away with. If a player isn't one of the 5 OL (LT, LG, C, RG, RT) then the player is eligible.

I still think Dan Campbell is an idiot for what is called aggressive. Those fake punts from their own 30 are instant points when they fail. There is enough tape out there to know a fake punt is highly likely. It's enough to lose in the playoffs against the better teams.

6 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 02, 2024 at 12:53 pm

One can overdo things. Like LaFleur and his Reed end arounds. Coaches find a clever trick, but the clever ones put it back up their sleeve and let others forget it, knowing g that the critical ingredient is surprise.

4 points
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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

January 03, 2024 at 01:01 am

The Bill Belichick special.

1 points
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10ve 💚's picture

January 02, 2024 at 10:16 pm

"I think the eligible reporting should be done away with. If a player isn't one of the 5 OL (LT, LG, C, RG, RT) then the player is eligible."

YEP!

"I still think Dan Campbell is an idiot for what is called aggressive"

You never said a truer sentence/word Qoojo!

0 points
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MitchAnthony's picture

January 02, 2024 at 12:48 pm

As to what comes next week. Pump the brakes just a little.
-
Beating the Vikings was a "fun" win more than it was a "great" win. I loved it as much as everyone else did but that team was seriously depleted. The drubbing delivered to Minnesota was what should have been delivered to Carolina, a win that smelled almost like a loss. What a difference a week makes, right?
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So which Packer team shows up for the Bears game? We hope it is the one that showed up on Thanksgiving with the Lions, that showed up with the Chiefs, and that showed up this last week, and it can be. The Bears of week one is not the Bears of the last several weeks, especially on defense. They are playing for nothing other than to spoil the chances of the Packers to go into the playoffs. That's motivation enough for a division rival just like it was last year for the Lions.
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So hopefully the Packers are a little less bi-polar than they have shown they can be. Offensively they keep trending in the right direction in that regard. Defensively they have shown they can do things right, but not always. How do the head cases get managed for this one? I say start the guys who got you where you are and if Alexander and Campbell want to play they can start off being platooned in for situations and see how it goes. For me they have to earn their way back in and be team players. Do they want to be a part of a win that sends them to the post season or not? Special Teams needs to really step up and clean up mistakes. Which should have been done by now.
-
Four quarters of good football all in the same game. They've been able to do it in about four games this season. Now go beat those rotten stinking Bears.

6 points
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T7Steve's picture

January 02, 2024 at 01:04 pm

I believe a player has to earn his spot, as you say. That said, I hope Campbell is good to go. We're pretty weak at ILB with McDuffie (sp?) in question. The kid that replaced him made a few whiffs and won't stand up to any scouting, will defiantly be targeted by the Bears.

0 points
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Bitternotsour's picture

January 02, 2024 at 01:21 pm

it's not the targeting that's so infuriating, it's the defiance.

5 points
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jont's picture

January 02, 2024 at 02:34 pm

DJ Moore is the best player the Bears have on offense. They should focus on him to find overall improvement: get another good receiver and improve the run game. It's not about Fields.

I think it was Greg Olsen who noted the only reason to keep Fields is that you expect him to improve significantly and very quickly.

Otherwise, he remains Mr Potential, and you can draft another Mr Potential-- a younger one with five years of rookie-year contract affordability-- who would give you no appreciable drop off in QB play. Don't get distracted by a couple decent games.

The biggest ROI for the Bears will investing in other positions and not getting anywhere near a second contract with Fields.

1 points
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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

January 03, 2024 at 01:08 am

Second contract isn't a thing until 2027.

0 points
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NFLfan's picture

January 02, 2024 at 02:41 pm

I've heard chatter that several teams may be interested in Fields...Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Raiders, Jets.

0 points
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justjan's picture

January 02, 2024 at 03:22 pm

"Will they beat all expectations to be the playoff underdog no one wants to face?"

Yes and NO.

0 points
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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

January 03, 2024 at 01:10 am

Yeah this team isn't a playoff juggernaut. There are 5 teams they can't compete with, just in the NFC. The experience of one game would help though.

0 points
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WestCoastPackerBacker's picture

January 02, 2024 at 06:27 pm

"could actually be a smart move to stick with a QB as physically talented as Fields - if he can develop to a Geno like level throwing the ball to pair with his running ability, he'll be a very above average QB. "

That's a lot of maybes for above average . . . but there are a couple of guys that could be like Burrows or Mahomes in this draft. I think you have to upgrade the most important position on the field if you can. And getting a QB on a rookie deal gives you a window to build around with affordability. Bears are coming to the end of Fields rookie deal, and running QBs don't tend to last that long in the NFL overall.

But as a Packer fan, I hope they stick with Fields and pick a WR that Fields doesn't use much.

1 points
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White92's picture

January 02, 2024 at 06:51 pm

Herbert tore through that Falcon defense. Joe Barry better get smart quick. The Bear O line is much different than week 1.

3 points
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Starrbrite's picture

January 02, 2024 at 07:24 pm

I have said previously that I believe Dan Campbell is a big dufus who has convinced his team to play hard. That I applaud, but I do not believe for a moment he is a good coach.
As for the for the penalty, I am in disagreement with most of you and in full agreement with Rex Ryan—the refs were 100% wrong and stole a win from the Lions while saving the night for Jerry, Jimmy, and a fawned over Dallas team.
The NFL should be embarrassed by an awful list of dreadful officiating.
Go Packers and beat the Bears.

2 points
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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

January 03, 2024 at 05:30 am

I saw that play. All three times. I have no opinion on what the refs should have done, but agree they have botched an alarming number of calls this season.

2 points
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Brewcity_BearsFan's picture

January 02, 2024 at 08:37 pm

Sorry, but there is no scenario where the Packers are the "Underdog no one wants to face". In the NFC that is 100% the Rams. In the AFC it is the Bills.

That line just screams trying to wish something into existence.

If the Packers win Sunday, they will get bounced the following week. Full Stop.

-2 points
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2
Bearmeat's picture

January 03, 2024 at 07:24 am

Do you guys smell that? I smell…TROLL!

3 points
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21Savage's picture

January 04, 2024 at 08:44 am

You're right about the Rams but anyone who thinks that Detroit and Dallas are unbeatable hasn't been watching football lately.

0 points
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joejetson's picture

January 02, 2024 at 09:22 pm

The GB CHI game is interesting as a chance for Fields to show he is a legitimate NFL QB. He hasn't shown the ability to beat GB, which drives Bears fans nuts.
On the one hand, they have multiple needs other than another 1st round QB. They could trade down again and keep loading up on high draft picks. But then they are stuck with Fields who hasn't shown the consistency to be a franchise QB.
On the other hand, they can trade Fields and hope the guy they get is the next Patrick Mahomes, NOT the next Mitch Trubisky.
So this is a big game for Fields if he wants to stay in Chicago.

1 points
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