NFC North Know-It-All 9/24/13

Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo (51) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) in the third quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns win 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The third week of the NFL play is behind us, and things are getting pretty serious. The Minnesota Vikings are one of the few teams without a win. The Lions actually won a very tight game with an offense that looked good. And the Packers couldn’t hold to a win against a playoff-caliber team.

NFC North Standings

Chicago Bears : 3-0

Detroit Lions : 2-1

Green Bay Packers : 1-2

Minnesota Vikings : 0-3

Green Bay Packers

The Packers couldn’t hold onto their lead to the Cincinnati Bengals and lost on Sunday 34-30.

The bye week couldn’t come at a more perfect time for the Packers run game. James Starks got the start for the injured rookie Eddie Lacy. But why the end of the game both Starks and Jonathan Franklin were on the sidelines with an injury. How will the Packers going to do when they have to play for 13 straight weeks?

The injuries didn’t stop there. Jermichael Finely suffered a concussion and sat out the rest of the game. To make things worse, Clay Mathews was pestered by a hamstring injury. When Mathews came out of the game was basically when the Bengals got back into the game.  If this is the same leg that made Mathews sit out for four games last year, the Packers might have a problem on their hands.

The Packers offensive line got heckled. They allowed four sacks and eight hits on Rodgers. Yikes. Watch and learn Bears.

Week 4 is the Green Bay Packers bye week.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions pulled out a 27-20 victory over the Washington Redskins.

Just when things were looking really good for the Lions offense, something bad happens. On Sunday, Nate Burleson stepped up and caught six passes for 116 receiving yards. Burleson and Calvin Johnson had over 100 yards receiving. News broke on Tuesday morning that Burleson broke his arm as he was involved in a car accident. Looks like it will be the second straight season that Burleson will have to watch the second half of the season on the sidelines. Rough times.

The Lions signed defensive tackle Andre Fluellen for the third time in 13 months. Fluellen will replace Jason Jones, who’s headed to the IR after rupturing the patella tendon in his left knee.

Sunday the Lions will host the Chicago Bears at noon. Be prepared to see Reggie Bush play even though he was forced to sit out in Week 3.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings take the cake for the most surprising loss of the week to the disheveled Cleveland Browns. Browns came from behind with QB Brian Hoyer to get the 31-27 win over the Viks.

0-3 is ugly folks. Adrian Peterson isn’t playing up to standards. The offensive line couldn’t help Ponder much, letting them sack him six times with eight hits. They need serious help or they will be looking like last years Lions. Too many things to fix for these guys.

Sunday the Vikings will host the also horrendous team Pittsburgh Steelers at noon.