Bears Jump Into First, Packers Roll and Lions Roar Back
October 14, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) throws the ball to Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) as Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) chases in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 38-26. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE
The Bears jumped into sole possession of first place in the NFC North – without getting off the couch. As they sat on the sidelines enjoying their bye week, the Washington Redskins rolled over the Minnesota Vikings 38-26 powered by rookie Robert Griffin III. RGIII ran for 138 yards and two scores and added another 182 yards and a touchdown through the air. I guess he’s recovered from that concussion.
The Vikings moved the ball well early on the Redskins, but failed to convert early opportunities into touchdowns. Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder continued to impress, as he put up 352 yards passing and 2 scores. The loss drops the Vikings to 4-2, a half a game behind the idle 4-1 Bears.
In other NFC North happenings, the Lions came back against the Philadelphia Eagles to score a 26-23 Overtime victory. They overcame a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to force the extra time and come back to win on Jason Hans0n’s 45-yard field goal. Detroit’s offense still seems out of sync and Calvin Johnson appears to be suffering from a touch of the Madden Curse as he struggles to find the end zone.
The Lions get a little confidence boost as they head to Chicago to face the Bears on Monday Night Football in just a week. It should be a great matchup.
The full day of NFC North viewing ended with the Green Bay Packers announcing themselves as back on the scene, blowing out the previously undefeated Houston Texans 42-24 on their home turf behind Aaron Rodgers’ 6 touchdown passes. The Packers get back to even as Aaron Rodgers silenced critics – literally – with a “SHHH” in his postgame comments to SNF sideline reporter Michele Tafoya.
All in all, it was a good day for the Chicago Bears, as they moved into sole possession of first place, but we never really thought the Minnesota Vikings were a threat in the division, did we? The real threats both scored big wins to get back into the race. As the Bears come off their bye, it should be an interesting run down the stretch.