MINNEAPOLIS -- Some random NFC North thoughts at the final halftime of the 2011 regular season:
- The Green Bay Packers' selected starters and reserves are giving the Detroit Lions' regulars all the game they can handle. The Packers lead 24-19 at the moment of this post, and they have assisted in nine of the Lions' points. Pat Lee's inexplicable kneeldown on a kickoff return led to the safety, and the Lions also converted a turnover at the Packers' 35-yard line into their first touchdown.
- As long as the San Francisco 49ers remain ahead of the St. Louis Rams, and it's 20-7 at the moment, the Lions are playing for the right to avoid traveling to play the New Orleans Saints for wild-card weekend.
- Hopefully Lions coach Jim Schwartz has calmed down. He was pretty fired up after losing a challenge on what didn't look like a fumble by Lions kick returner Stefan Logan. Having already used a challenge to get an obvious no-fumble call reversed, Schwartz was then out of challenges when it appeared Titus Young caught a touchdown pass but was ruled out of bounds The Lions ultimately settled for a field goal.
- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Webb has picked up where he left off. He's completed seven of 10 passes for 93 yards since replacing injured starter Christian Ponder. The Chicago Bears hold a 14-13 lead, but it could be an interesting offseason if Webb pulls out this game.
- The Bears have 60 yards passing in this game against a Vikings defense that entered the game with the second-highest opponent's passer rating (109.1) in NFL history.
Kevin Seifert | email
NFL- ESPN NFC North Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2008
- Covered the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and children.
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