Green Bay 20 Minnesota 23
Cleveland 10 Detroit 13
Baltimore 6 Chicago 10
Standings
Chicago 3-3
Detroit 3-3
Minnesota 2-4
Green Bay 1-5
Breakdown
The division took an interesting turn this past weekend. The Lions took a step in the right direction by benching Joey Harrington in favor of Jeff Garcia, and three of the four teams picked up a win.
The Bears defense looks so good, Jeff Garcia starting makes you think the Lions offense could be so good, and the Vikings gave you a glimpse of what might be.
As long as Kyle Orton doesn't make many mistakes (preferably any) the Bears will be in every game on their schedule. In my eyes, the next two games on thier docket are key. A road game against the Saints and a home contest with the god awful 49ers. Both are winnable games, and games the Bears need to win if they want to take this division.
I say that because the seven games that follow those two are: Carolina, @ Tampa Bay, Green Bay, @ Pittsburgh, Atlanta, @ Green Bay, @ Minnesota. Tampa, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and possibly Carolina and Minnesota are all playoff teams, and as bad as the Packers are Brett Favre absolutely owns the Bears.
The Packers may have done everyone in the division and possibly conference a disservice this weekend by waking a sleeping giant. This may have been the wakeup call the Vikes have been waiting on all season. If they had someone other than "FrankenTice" running the ship I'd feel a little more confident saying that.
The Lions still have five or six winnable games left on their schedule, whereas I'd say the Bears have four or five. If they Lions don't get to 8-8, Mooch has to join Joey Harrington in the unemployment line. Yes Harrington has been abismal, and the defense has been bad, but we've seen Packers, Vikings and Rams teams at least make the playoffs on offense alone. Especially when you're playing in the NFC, and NFC North at that.
As much as it pains me to say this, I think the Vikes are primed to make a run and take this division. This win may have been the epiphany they needed, the have the most offensive weapons, and a defense loaded with talent that just hasen't performed. Oh yeah, they also have the schedule that sets up nicest.
The Packers are done. They might go on a run, and while I wouldn't be totally shocked if they did come back and it least make it some sort of a race, I just don't see it happening. They've lost too much on offense to compete. Brett Favre will win them two to three more games on his own this year, but that's all they have.
Funniest Moment of the Week
A sign in Cleveland (Jeff Garcia's team last year) that read "Hey Detroit, Thanks for taking out our Trash!"
Stat of the Week
18 TD's
0 Int's
6 yards per rush
Daunte Culpepper's numbers in his last 6 games against the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings have won 4 of those games.
Upcoming Schedule
Green Bay @ Cinncinnati
Chicago @ Detroit
Minnesota @ Carolina
Either way, at least one team is picking up a win this week...
Incase You Missed it
The Packers brought in FredEx himeslf for a workout. If all goes well, Freddie Mitchell may well be starting opposite Donald Driver this sunday in Cincinnati.
Other prospects for getting added by the weekend are the familiar Walter Williams and Andre Thurman.
Upon Further Review
The Packers really miss a healthy Mike Flannigan. They've essentailly lost the entire middle of their offenisive line since last year.
Nick Collins is the best saftey they have, and far better than any of us have noticed.
Brady Poppinga is the second coming of Bryce Paup.
Duante Culpepper is to the Packers what Favre is to the Bears.
The worst part of Donald Lee being such a good discovery by Ted Thompson is that he plays a postion the Packers need little help at.
Mwelde Moore won the Vikings running back job with about 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Michael Bennett is a gunner? He was a first round pick. What a bust.
Sadest Moment of the Week (And Possibly My Life)
I'm already looking forward to opening day, and as Fabos told me in an earlier email...
"Man I really hope that hot stove is indeed hot this offseason..."
Questions of the Week
Why take the ball out of Brett Favre's hands on third and short and call a draw play when you've averaged a shade over 3 yards per carry all game!?
How did Mike Sherman get outcoached by Mike Tice?
"That's great it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, and aeroplane..."
Mike Tice made half time adjustments, and out schemed, game planned and coached someone across the sidelines.
Stock up on non perishable food items and water while you can...
