Welcome to Week 6. It’s a week of rest as the Lions (2-3, tru 4-1) are on a bye after destroying the Packers (2-2-1) 31-23 with LKP in attendance. My man, Mason. The Vikings (2-2-1) showed signs of life with a big win at the Eagles. The Bears are coming off their bye and actually lead (not a typo) the NFC North at 3-1.
Bears at Dolphins
The Bears take their talents to South Beach to face the Miami Dolphins. Adam Gase faces his old team and looks to end the nightmare of a Bears division lead. Ryan Tannehill has a 92.9 QB rating with 8 TDs and 5 interceptions. Frank Gore defies his age as always with 4.3 YPC along with Kenyan Drake at 3.9 YPC. Kenny Still is a deep threat with 3 TDs and Danny Amendola is a decent slot player. Albert Wilson has stepped up for Devante Parker with only 40 yards. Rookie The Bears have the defense to really shut down the Dolphins lackluster offense.
Mack (5 sacks) has been a menace and the Bears pass rush could make Tannehill make mistakes. Hicks (3 sacks), Leonard Floyd and blitzing Trevathan/Roquan Smith can be a nightmare for opposing offenses. Fuller and Amukamara should win their matchups against Stills and Wilson/Parker with Amos and Eddie Jackson as ballhawk safeties.
Mitch Trubisky had a 6 TD performance before the bye which gave him the 101.6 QB rating on the year at 70% completion at 7.3 YPA. Trubisky’s first three performances were lack luster with a 77, 83 and 72 rating. Trubisky has improved slightly in year 2 with more weapons in Allen Robinson (217 yards), Taylor Gabriel (193 yards) and Trey Burton (176 yards).
Shifty RB Tarik Cohen is having a good year with 5.1 YPC and 169 receiving yards. Howard has really struggled running the ball at 3.2 YPC and only 1 TD as the workhorse back. Miami has a solid defense led by Cam Wake and Robert Quinn on the edge but lost William Hayes (2 sacks to IR). Corner Xavien Howard is a good corner but Bobby McCain and Cordrea Tankersley can be beat by the Bears WRs. Reshad Jones is a very good safety and TJ McDonald is a solid strong safety. Raekwon McMillan, Kiki Alonso and rookie Jerome Baker (2 sacks) is a solid LB group. Davon Godcheaux and Spence are lackluster at DT. The Bears should be able to put up enough points on the road in Miami. Chicago’s defense should hold the Dolphins and force turnovers.
Bears win 24-17 over Miami.
Cardinals at Vikings
Cardinals (1-4) got their first win of the year last week with rookie Josh Rosen. Sam Bradford was benched after terrible performances and won’t face his former team. David Johnson is a beast and Larry Fitzgerald is still playing at a strong level. Chad Williams, rookie Christian Kirk and JJ Nelson need to help Rosen. The Vikings defense finally rebounded last week at Philadelphia and should have no problem with the Cardinals poor offense led by a rookie. They may have lost to rookie Josh Allen and Buffalo at home but that won’t happen again.
The Vikings offense is playing well under Kirk Cousins in the passing game. Thielen and Diggs are playmakers and Rudolph is a solid tight end. The run game has been abysmal for the Vikings with Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray. That must step up against the Cardinals
Chandler Jones and Patrick Peterson are the Cardinals best defenders. Robert Nkemdiche and Markus Golden offer some pass rush and could disrupt Cousins. The Vikings have a big advantage though and should score plenty to win by double digits.
Vikings 31 Cardinals 14
49ers at Packers on Monday Night Football
Green Bay is licking their wounds after a beat down by Detroit. Aaron Rodgers had a big day and seems to be healthier. Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison are still ailing but Rodgers has enough firepower to beat the 49ers with Adams, Graham and the rookies. Buckner, Armstead and Thomas bring a talent front 4 but Buckner has been the big time producer. Reuben Foster is back with San Francisco but their defense isn’t strong enough to stop Rodgers and a decent run game.
The 49ers offense is hurting missing Jimmy Garropolo and both top running backs in McKinnon and Matt Breida. The 49ers offensive line is protecting and blocking well but the Packers can generate rush with Perry, Matthews, Daniels and Clark. Pierre Garcon, rookie Dante Pettis, deep threat Marquise Goodwin and tight end George Kittle shouldn’t be a threat to the Packers inconsistent secondary with CJ Beathard at QB. The 49ers will get beat hard.
Packers 38 49ers 14