It’s Week 11 and the NFC North is taking shape. Let’s preview the big matchups.
Packers at Seahawks
I have a hunch this will be a close game with the Packers jumping out to an 11 point lead from a beautiful Robert Tonyan touchdown. Seattle will dominate the second half though with 4 of their five sacks. McCarthy will not go for a key 4th down and Wilson will hit Ed Dickson for the lead. Seattle wins 27-24. Green Bay falls to 4-5-1 and their season is in Lambeau, I mean limbo.
Panthers at Lions
Carolina started the season strong but got their ass whipped by the Steelers. Cam Newton is having a good year with a 101.2 QB rating. Christian McCaffery is having a great second year with 579 yards at 4.7 YPC and 4 rushing TDs. McCaffery is a duel threat with 439 receiving yards and 4 TDs. Devin Funchess leads Carolina with 477 yards and 3 TDs. DJ Moore has shown promise as a rookie as well but Greg Olsen has only 258 yards and 3 TDs. The Panthers have the weapons and the Lions have been awful at defending the pass. Darius Slay will return but the Lawson, Shead and Tabor better get their head out of their asses.
The Lions run game took a nose dive the last 3 weeks but Carolina has been inconsistent stopping the run. Carolina has a great front 7 though with Kawann Short, Dontari Poe, Julius Peppers and Mario Addison on the defensive line and Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson at linebacker. The Lions could have passing success against James Bradberry and rookie Donte Jackson. However, Marvin Jones is hurt and may not play and Golden Tate was traded away. Kenny Golladay, TJ Jones and Theo Riddick might not be enough firepower for the Lions offense. They will need to run the ball to have any chance in this one. TJ Lang went on IR and the Lions need to shore up the atrocious pass protection (16 sacks) in the last two weeks. Carolina is missing their top two tackles though so Detroit might/may have a chance to provide an actual consistent pass rush on Sunday.
This might be shoot-out but Carolina should win this game and end the Lions miserable miracle hopes of a rebound. Carolina 31 Lions 24
Vikings at Bears
The NFC North lead is on the line in Week 11 on Sunday Night football. The Bears host the Vikings for their first matchup of the season. Mitch Trubisky and Krik Cousins are both top 10 QBs right now. How did that happen? Allen Robinson had a huge game back and Trey Burton is a threat at tight end. The Vikings defense has been menacing the last few weeks and this game boils down to pass protection by the Bears offensive line.
The Bears defense is revamped this year led by Khalil Mack. Hicks and Goldman are having strong years and the Bears defense is forcing turnovers. Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara will have their hands full with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. These are big time matchups that the Bears need to have some wins on the day. Rudolph with his nose so bright will test the Bears LB crew and safeties. Amos and Eddie Jackson should be up to the task for the Bears though.
This should be a fun matchup to watch. I’ll say Vikings 24 Bears 17. Shooters shoot brah.