NFC North Know-It-All: Week 10

Minnesota Vikings

Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) breaks away from Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher (59) during the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

In the second biggest upset of the week, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Washington Redskins in Thursday Night Football, 34-27.

In an attempt to get into the endzone, quarterback Christian Ponder dove for the pylon but got crushed in the process. Ponder dislocated his shoulder, but has hopes of playing in Week 11. Head coach Leslie Frazier said during his press conference on Monday that they will make the starting quarterback decision on Wednesday, and isn’t going to put Ponder in a position to get more seriously injured. Matt Cassel came into the game on Thursday to relieve Ponder but only attempted six passes.

With no game Sunday and a reason to celebrate, wide receiver Jerome Simpson was arrested Saturday morning for DWI and was released late that day from jail. Currently Simpson is the Vikings leader in receiving yards with 491. He expects to play on Sunday against the Seahawks but I would expect that the league may suspend him 1-2 games sometime before the end of the season.

Tight end John Carlson will make a homecoming debut this week as he returns to his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, where he played from 2008-2011. Perfect timing, as Carlson is coming off his biggest game with the Vikings, catching seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. He looked like he fit right in with the offense, had fresh legs, and could really extend plays. Carlson will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

Eyes will most likely be on Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin this week as he will look across the field at the team he desperately wanted to leave. The Vikings will face Percy, the Seahawks, and the 12th man in Seattle on Sunday at 3:25pm central.

Quick hits for Bears fans

Packers – It’s highly likely that Aaron Rodgers will be back by Week 17, but I can’t say that the Packers will be in playoff contention at that point (cheers!). The Packers defense is really the weak point to keep an eye out for. If the Packers can get Sam Barrington and Andy Mulumba back, paired with a healthy Clay Matthews, it will be dangerous for the Bears. But it will pay off if the Bears expose their secondary.

Lions – Tight end Brandon Pettigrew was a huge reason to why the Lions offense was successful, outside of Megatron of course. A big tight end that can block and help the run game hurt Chicago among the other defensive assignments they already had.

Vikings – Well there’s John Carlson to watch out for…and that’s about it.