In Week 6, the NFC North teams had a mixed performance with a 2-1 record, as the Packers had a bye week. In Week 7, all four teams in the division played. The Bears, led by Ty Bagent, managed to turn a challenging situation into a victory against the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, the Packers found themselves slipping towards the bottom of the division, a place that Chicago seems to have a long-standing claim to. The Lions faced a tough loss against the Baltimore Ravens, while the Vikings pulled off an unexpected upset on Monday Night Football. With a 2-2 performance in Week 7, the NFC North continued to hold its title as the epitome of mediocrity, with only one team having a winning record.
The Lions had a tough start in their game against the Ravens, as the Ravens scored on their first four possessions and held Detroit to three consecutive three-and-out drives. It was the first time in 2023 that the Lions encountered such challenges in the trenches. The Ravens’ pass rush relentlessly pressured Jared Goff, sacking him five times, while Lamar Jackson was barely touched throughout the game.
.@Jahmyr_Gibbs1 goes untouched into the endzone 🦁
📺: #DETvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/iTs8HMaXlh pic.twitter.com/RdFTSV3fSb— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023
Lamar Jackson showcased his control over the game, accumulating 357 yards and three touchdowns against the Lions’ defense. The absence of David Montgomery, coupled with Jameson Williams’ struggles to connect with Goff, who dropped two important passes, hindered the Lions’ ability to sustain drives. However, the Lions remained confident in their division lead with the Raiders up next on their schedule.
Kirk Cousins, known for his inconsistent performances on Monday Night Football, surprised everyone by leading the Vikings to victory against the strong 49ers. The Vikings never trailed in the game and managed to put pressure on Brock Purdy, leading to two interceptions. Cousins and the offensive line deserved praise for not allowing any sacks. Key offensive players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson were exceptional, with Addison’s late first-half touchdown standing out. Despite a 0-4 start, the Vikings showed signs of improvement and are in contention for a playoff spot in the NFC.
.@espn_jordan. TO. THE. HOUSE.
📺: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/MXcbsXdSoL
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 24, 2023
The Packers continued their trend of first-half struggles, second-half comebacks, and ultimately, disappointing losses. The Broncos took an early lead, and despite a brief Green Bay rally, the Packers could not overcome it. P.J. Locke’s interception of Jordan Love in the closing minutes sealed the victory for the Broncos. Matt LaFleur expressed regret over the play call that led to the interception. The Packers faced challenges, including the absence of key players like Aaron Jones, Luke Musgrave, Josh Myers, Jaire Alexander, and De’Vondre Campbell, in their upcoming game against the Vikings.
HOW DID THIS WORK?! @Packers tie the game!
📺: #GBvsDEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/iTs8HMaXlh pic.twitter.com/5vsbhjCgIX— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023
The Bears, who had been on a losing streak for almost a year, managed to win two of their last three games. They dominated the Raiders, even with backup quarterback Tyson Bagent. Bagent’s performance was solid, and D’Onta Foreman played a crucial role with 120 yards and three touchdowns. The rookie quarterback took only one sack, addressing an issue that had troubled Justin Fields and the Bears. Jaylon Johnson was a standout player with two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. The Bears faced a challenging matchup against the Chargers in their next game.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1717269800593092855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1717269800593092855%7Ctwgr%5E0df51eecf81bf99bb64517d767e90a59d2da9d44%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acmepackingcompany.com%2F2023%2F10%2F26%2F23933561%2Fstate-of-the-nfc-north-week-7-recap-vikings-packers-lions-bears
In summary, Week 7 in the NFC North featured a mix of performances, with some teams showing signs of improvement and others facing challenges. The division remained highly competitive, with no team clearly dominating. Fans can look forward to more exciting matchups in the weeks ahead.
