NFC North watch: How the division fared in Week 9

USA Today

Week 9 in the NFC North brought us a mix of football weather and some crazy weather, including hail in the desert. The Lions further staked their claim atop the division while the Bears continued their free fall. Let’s take a look at the three games on Sunday involving the division occupants.

Lions defeat Packers, 24-14

A hobbled Jordan Love made some costly errors, including a poor throw that led to a pick-six for Lions safety Kerby Joseph, giving the Lions a 17-3 halftime. Detroit wouldn’t look back, going on to win 24-14 to move to 7-1 heading into a primetime showdown next week in Houston against the Texans. Quarterback Jared Goff went 18-of-22 for 145 yards and a touchdown and running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, Sonic and Knuckles as they are now known as, combined for 138 yards on 28 rushes. Gibbs had a rushing touchdown. The two also added 34 yards on four catches combined (three for Montgomery).

For the Packers, Love went 23-of-39 for 273 yards, no touchdown passes and the aforementioned pick-six. Running back Josh Jacobs rushed 13 times for 95 yards and wide receiver Jayden Reed recorded 113 yards on five catches. Green Bay fell to 6-3 going into their bye week and saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. The two teams meet in Detroit for a Thursday battle on December 5.

Vikings defeat Colts, 21-13

The Vikings’ defense showed up on Sunday night, holding the Colts to just 227 yards of total offense and sacking quarterback Joe Flacco three times en route to a 21-13 win to snap a two-game losing streak and move to 6-2 on the year.

Quarterback Sam Darnold wasn’t immune to sacks either on Sunday night as the Colts got to him four times. He did for 28-of-34 for 290 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Aaron Jones rushed for 64 yards on 21 carries and Cam Akers added 46 yards on the ground on just six attempts. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson was up to his old tricks again, posting his third 100-yard game of the season (137 yards on seven catches) and has gone for at least 80 yards in every game except Week 1.

Flacco, in his first start since the Colts benched Anthony Richardson, went 16-of-27 for 179 yards and an interception. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 48 yards on 16 carries and wide receiver Josh Downs had six catches for 60 yards. The Vikings head to Jacksonville next week to take on the Jaguars.

Cardinals defeat Bears, 29-9

The offensive struggles continued for the Chicago Bears. They have scored just 24 points total in two games since their two-game stretch of 35 against the Panthers and 36 against the Jaguars. To make matters worse, quarterback Caleb Williams was banged up near the end of the game in what was garbage time, with the Bears losing 29-9. The seat is getting warmer for Matt Eberflus.

Williams went 22-of-41 for 217 yards and was sacked six times. About half of those, 104 to be exact, went to fellow top-ten rookie Rome Odunze. The Bears averaged just 3.4 yards per play on offense (241 yards on 70 plays) and were 3-of-14 on third down.

Chicago fell to 4-4 but have a chance to get back over .500 next week when they host the Patriots.

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