NFC North Roundup: Packers and Lions Back on Track, Bears Rise on Bye

Oct 14, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates a touchdown pass with wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

The NFC North is even more of a muddled mess following week six than it was before. The Chicago Bears didn’t play this week but emerged a winner in the standings as the division’s lone team with just one loss. The Lions and Packers broke out of their funks to get back in the win column while the Vikings loss on the road brought them back to the pack. Here is a look at all the week six action in the NFC North and a look at the standings and week seven schedule.

Detroit Lions 26, Philadelphia Eagles 23 OT (box score)
The Lions offense struggled much of the day against the Eagles but came up big when it mattered most. They overcame a 10-point deficit with 5:18 remaining to force overtime before ultimately winning it with a 45-yard field goal. The Lions defense played very well, save for a blown assignment leading to a 70-yard touchdown catch by Jeremy Maclin, to keep the Lions in the game while the offense looked to make adjustments. Michael Vick was sacked three times, twice in overtime, and was under constant pressure throughout the game. Pressuring the quarterback didn’t come at the expense of stopping the run; LeSean McCoy was limited to 22 yards on 14 carries.

Washington Redskins 38, Minnesota Vikings 26 (box score)
The Vikings’ inability to get in the end zone came back to haunt them as they settled for three field goals inside of 30 yards in the first quarter. The Redskins came back from that 9-0 first quarter deficit to take a 17-9 lead into the half and extended it to 31-12 before the Vikings finally broke the plane of the goal line. Christian Ponder threw a touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph to cut the Redskins lead to 31-26 with 3:36 remaining but Robert Griffin III’s 76-yard touchdown run sealed the win for the ‘Skins.

Green Bay Packers 42, Houston Texans 24 (box score)
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense broke out in a big way against one of the NFL’s best defenses in front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football. Rodgers completed 24 of 37 passes for 338 yards and six touchdowns to finish with a sparkling 133.8 quarterback rating. Jordy Nelson hauled in nine catches for 121 yards and three scores and Randall Cobb caught seven passes for 102 yards. The Packers defense did their part as well, limiting Arian Foster to just 29 yards on 17 carries.

NFC North Standings

NFC North Week 7 Schedule
Cardinals at Vikings, Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
Packers at Rams, Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
Lions at Bears, Monday, 8:30 PM ET