Breaking Down the NFC North, 2024

[Magooch]

Useless Cardinals...

 

[milani]

Useless Cardinals...

They could uselessly still win their division but the nod is Seattle now.

 

[diezman]

Don't worry about the Vikings.

They'll fold like origami come playoff time.

 

[OldSchool101]

No help whatsoever from Minnesota or Washington.
About the only sliver of boost for us this week is if we get a Tampa Bay loss. They are fighting for a Division Winner or at best a 6th or 7th Seed. We’ve beat the majority of Wildcard Contenders behind us and with others we hold Tiebreakers, so if Bucs fall to 5-7 we can put any concern of them competing for any of the 3 WC spots with GB or Washington behind us.

 

[weeds]

Vikings are living in poop again... winning close ones week after week, when they don't necessarily deserve to win ... yet, there it is bigger than sh*t another game where the heavens reach down and touch them.

 

[sschind]

That's basically what the Packers did against Seattle in 2014.

In other news, the firing of Eberflus may have the unintended effect of stalling Caleb Williams' progress. He had played better the last few games under their new offensive coordinator. Now the offensive coordinator is the interim head coach and may have less time to work with Williams.

I think losing games in which you did not play horribly (Williams) may have had a big negative mental affect on him. If he can keep on playing the way he has and they can get a few wins that will help him a lot. He has gone the last 6 games without throwing and interception and they lost those games ( well most anyway, I'm not going to look it up) in heartbreaking fashion. That has to weigh on a kids mind. I mean he wasn't necessarily lighting up the stat sheet in those game but he wasn't giving the game away either. I'm not sure if he lost any fumbles though. It may hurt a bit losing the 1 on 1 with the OC but I think a few wins will help him even more to build confidence.

 

[sschind]

Vikings are living in poop again... winning close ones week after week, when they don't necessarily deserve to win ... yet, there it is bigger than sh*t another game where the heavens reach down and touch them.

I always hated Aaron Jones

Just kidding, I love the guy but so far I don't think he has been integral in many of the vikings wins. I haven't really been paying much attention other than the final scores but its not like he is carrying the team to those close wins and scoring the winning points like he did today.

 

[rmontro]

Don't worry about the Vikings.

They'll fold like origami come playoff time.

I was hoping they would fold before that.
Stupid Vikings.

 

[milani]

I always hated Aaron Jones

Just kidding, I love the guy but so far I don't think he has been integral in many of the vikings wins. I haven't really been paying much attention other than the final scores but its not like he is carrying the team to those close wins and scoring the winning points like he did today.

Ironically, one of their losses was a very close game and it came at the hand of their nemesis. Could happen again.

 

[OldSchool101]

Vikings are living in poop again... winning close ones week after week, when they don't necessarily deserve to win ... yet, there it is bigger than sh*t another game where the heavens reach down and touch them.

It really sucked watching Arizona crumble.
I know this might not be what the metric said. Arizona had the ball late 4th quarter and got to 4th n Goal from the 4 yard line. 3:20 left and Vikes had 2 Timouts + 2 min
Arizona had ALL 3 Timeouts.

Arizona was up 3 points. A TD and it’s game over. Arizona Wins 99.9%. Take a shot at the Win there or leave the Vikings backed up deep deep 96+ yards from a go ahead score 23-22 Plus Arizona likely gets the ball back with 3 timeouts just in case.

Instead they go up 6 points and give the exact same choice to Vikings. However the Vikings did what I said. They actually went for the Win on 4th n 5 and made it!! The flow was that MN had put up 165 yards and gotten into the redzone 3 of 4 times in the second half. They were moving up n down the field finally after 87 yards all first half.

Put the game away and go for the TD. Just take the bonus shot and go 1st in your Division. Whatever you afraid of Arizona?? A 4 yard TD is game over and you are a Division leader. A miss and force MN to go 99 yards to go up 1 pt and get the ball back and have another chance (like they did).

I’m 90% sure Dan Campbell goes for the TD to go up 2 scores with 3 minutes. Maybe 95% he does. He keeps the pedal down. Also Arizona could’ve lined up and tried to fair to draw offsides. Arizona didn’t even try to draw Minnesota offsides or 12 men or neutral zone or any number of things that would’ve resulted in a 2 yard try. What if you line up and see a very favorable matchup? It’s Like Arizona already decided to take a FG and didn’t even consider putting the game away. Now if the gamecock was under 2-minutes (e.g, 1:20 instead of 3:20) that might’ve leaned more take a FG. MN had 3:20 gameclock and 2-min warning + 2 timeouts. They got the ball on the 30. They could’ve Run some they had so much time.

 

[Thirteen Below]

I’m 90% sure Dan Campbell goes for the TD to go up 2 scores with 3 minutes. Maybe 95% he does. He keeps the pedal down. Also Arizona could’ve lined up and tried to fair to draw offsides. So it goes to the 9 yard line and they FG. They didn’t even try to draw them offsides they just gave up.

The surest way to win is to play to win; playing not to lose is what losers do.

 

[OldSchool101]

Big NFC North game tonight.

North scoring rankings through Sunday 15th December
OFFENSE
“POINTS FOR” YTD/Last 5
Detroit. #1/#1
Green Bay #7/#4
Minnesota #9/#10
Chicago #25/#31

 

[OldSchool101]

North Scoring through Sunday 15th
December
DEFENSE
POINTS ALLOWED”YTD/Last 5
Minnesota #4/#4
Detroit. #7/#13
Green Bay #8/#6
Chicago #9/#26

 

[rmontro]

The NFC North has three teams in the top 10 in both offense and defense. Has this division ever been stronger?

 

[OldSchool101]

The NFC North has three teams in the top 10 in both offense and defense. Has this division ever been stronger?

It’s definitely an anomoly. As someone said, we could actually have a realistic scenario where we finish 1,2,3
14-3
14-3
13-4

Or in a 3-way Tie

13-4
13-4
13-4

Imagine a World where 13-4 gets you a 3rd place Ribbon in your own Division!

Here’s another one.
The North Division is currently 13-1 against the West. Rams hold the sole Win against our Division.

 

[Magooch]

It’s definitely an anomoly. As someone said, we could actually have a realistic scenario where we finish 1,2,3
14-3
14-3
13-4

Or in a 3-way Tie

13-4
13-4
13-4

Imagine a World where 13-4 gets you a 3rd place Ribbon in your own Division.

By my count, theoretically there's also still a greater-than-zero chance that all three teams could finish 12-5, or we could even finish 13-4 and take first ahead of two 12-5 Vikings/Lions...

 

[El Guapo]

Being a Minnesotan, I've been watching the Vikings most weeks. They are legit in most phases with an elite defensive coordinator and a solid overall defense. They've got two elite WRs, an elite coach/OC, and a very good TE in Hockenson. Their OL and RB are average. IMO - Sam Darnold is an average QB with top talent surrounding him. When those guys step up he looks great, and they've been doing that lately. However, I've seen chinks in their armor. Darnold makes risky passes and his team rewards him.

The Vikings have struggled recently but then come out on top in the end. Minnesota is definitely beatable but you have to play your best to do it.

 

[rmontro]

It’s definitely an anomoly. As someone said, we could actually have a realistic scenario where we finish 1,2,3
14-3
14-3
13-4

Of course, that wouldn't literally be the top three seeds, because the division leaders get precedence over record.

 

[Pkrjones]

Detroit lost 3 more starters, yesterday. Dt Alim McNeil & RB Montgomery tore up a knee, CB Davis broke his jaw. They'll limp into the playoffs & not have enough healthy talent left to stop their opponent, IMHO.

 

[milani]

Being a Minnesotan, I've been watching the Vikings most weeks. They are legit in most phases with an elite defensive coordinator and a solid overall defense. They've got two elite WRs, an elite coach/OC, and a very good TE in Hockenson. Their OL and RB are average. IMO - Sam Darnold is an average QB with top talent surrounding him. When those guys step up he looks great, and they've been doing that lately. However, I've seen chinks in their armor. Darnold makes risky passes and his team rewards him.

The Vikings have struggled recently but then come out on top in the end. Minnesota is definitely beatable but you have to play your best to do it.

The Vikings are also a more experienced team. That can account for executing the game plan and for stepping up in crunch time when their opponents do not. But it also can mean some injuries which they have avoided for the most part.

 

[rmontro]

Detroit lost 3 more starters, yesterday. Dt Alim McNeil & RB Montgomery tore up a knee, CB Davis broke his jaw. They'll limp into the playoffs & not have enough healthy talent left to stop their opponent, IMHO.

Worst case scenario (for me) is a Vikings/Chiefs Super Bowl. I don't want to see the Chiefs be the only team besides the Packers (twice) to win three straight NFL Championships. And of course I hate the Vikings. I can't stand the Lions either, but I think I would prefer they win one than the Chiefs.

 

[Firethorn1001]

Worst case scenario (for me) is a Vikings/Chiefs Super Bowl.

Felt a chill down my spine. Would hate that for the same reasons as you.

 

[milani]

Worst case scenario (for me) is a Vikings/Chiefs Super Bowl. I don't want to see the Chiefs be the only team besides the Packers (twice) to win three straight NFL Championships. And of course I hate the Vikings. I can't stand the Lions either, but I think I would prefer they win one than the Chiefs.

The Lions went into Chi last season and were pretty well upended by the Bears. They should be careful going there even against a lesser team.

 

[rmontro]

The Lions went into Chi last season and were pretty well upended by the Bears. They should be careful going there even against a lesser team.

I watched the Bears game last night. They look like they've given up to me. Or are firmly in the tank.

 

[El Guapo]

Being a Minnesotan, I've been watching the Vikings most weeks. They are legit in most phases with an elite defensive coordinator and a solid overall defense. They've got two elite WRs, an elite coach/OC, and a very good TE in Hockenson. Their OL and RB are average.

I guess that my troll was a bit too subtle. Aaron Jones has another good night running the ball for the Vikings last night.