NFC North: 2010 Week 8 Wrap-ups
Wrapping up the Detroit Lions' 37-25 win against the Washington Redskins.
What it means: Now 2-5, the Detroit Lions got the kind of frenetic home victory they had envisioned since the start of the season. The Lions scored 23 points in the fourth quarter to seal what had been a pretty boring game for most of the first three quarters. Here's the best way to look at it: After an 0-4 start, the Lions are 2-1.
Stafford's return: Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns in his first full game of the season, overcoming an early pick on a throw to Calvin Johnson in the end zone. His 10-yarder to Johnson in the fourth quarter put the Lions up for good and should go down as an important turning point in his development. Fourth-quarter comebacks are the hallmark of franchise quarterbacks.
Stafford's return III: The fact that three of Stafford's touchdown passes went to Johnson is a huge deal. They were not always on the same page last season, but their connection is mandatory for the Lions to move forward as a franchise.
Suh rolling: Rookie defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has a decent game, didn't he? He notched two more sacks, bringing him to 6.5 for the season, and also alertly grabbed a fourth-quarter fumble and returned it 17 yards for the touchdown that accounted for the final margin of the game. That's a Pro Bowl pace, friends.
What's next: The Lions host the New York Jets next Sunday at Ford Field.
What it means: Now 2-5, the Detroit Lions got the kind of frenetic home victory they had envisioned since the start of the season. The Lions scored 23 points in the fourth quarter to seal what had been a pretty boring game for most of the first three quarters. Here's the best way to look at it: After an 0-4 start, the Lions are 2-1.
Stafford's return: Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns in his first full game of the season, overcoming an early pick on a throw to Calvin Johnson in the end zone. His 10-yarder to Johnson in the fourth quarter put the Lions up for good and should go down as an important turning point in his development. Fourth-quarter comebacks are the hallmark of franchise quarterbacks.
Stafford's return III: The fact that three of Stafford's touchdown passes went to Johnson is a huge deal. They were not always on the same page last season, but their connection is mandatory for the Lions to move forward as a franchise.
Suh rolling: Rookie defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has a decent game, didn't he? He notched two more sacks, bringing him to 6.5 for the season, and also alertly grabbed a fourth-quarter fumble and returned it 17 yards for the touchdown that accounted for the final margin of the game. That's a Pro Bowl pace, friends.
What's next: The Lions host the New York Jets next Sunday at Ford Field.
Wrapping up the Green Bay Packers' 9-0 win against the New York Jets.
What it means: The Green Bay Packers improved to 5-3 to take a half-game lead in the NFC North as the Chicago Bears enjoyed their bye week. I'm obviously not in New York to poll the Packers individually, but they have to be satisfied with five victories at their season's midpoint after the run of injuries they've endured. Tally ho!
Scoreless: On a windy day at the New Meadowlands Stadium, the Packers' defense issued an impressive shutout. Despite a perceived mismatch against the Jets' rushing game, the Packers limited them to 99 rushing yards. But two late plays stuck out to me. Backup safety Charlie Peprah, playing because of injuries to Atari Bigby, Morgan Burnett and Derrick Martin, twice separated the ball from Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery -- one on fourth down to end a late Jets threat. You know it's a good day when your No. 4 safety is making game-saving plays.
Injury report: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers played much of the fourth quarter with his left ankle heavily taped after appearing to sprain it on the stadium turf. I had to laugh when, shortly after the injury, FOX cameras panned to Gillette Stadium to show Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre preparing to play with two fractures in his left foot. Can Rodgers ever get some independent credit?!
Unsung hero: How about punter Tim Masthay getting down the hold on Mason Crosby's 20-yard field goal in the first quarter? The snap hit the ground, but Masthay got it up in time for the kick.
What's next: The Packers will host the Dallas Cowboys in their second Sunday night game in three weeks.
What it means: The Green Bay Packers improved to 5-3 to take a half-game lead in the NFC North as the Chicago Bears enjoyed their bye week. I'm obviously not in New York to poll the Packers individually, but they have to be satisfied with five victories at their season's midpoint after the run of injuries they've endured. Tally ho!
Scoreless: On a windy day at the New Meadowlands Stadium, the Packers' defense issued an impressive shutout. Despite a perceived mismatch against the Jets' rushing game, the Packers limited them to 99 rushing yards. But two late plays stuck out to me. Backup safety Charlie Peprah, playing because of injuries to Atari Bigby, Morgan Burnett and Derrick Martin, twice separated the ball from Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery -- one on fourth down to end a late Jets threat. You know it's a good day when your No. 4 safety is making game-saving plays.
Injury report: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers played much of the fourth quarter with his left ankle heavily taped after appearing to sprain it on the stadium turf. I had to laugh when, shortly after the injury, FOX cameras panned to Gillette Stadium to show Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre preparing to play with two fractures in his left foot. Can Rodgers ever get some independent credit?!
Unsung hero: How about punter Tim Masthay getting down the hold on Mason Crosby's 20-yard field goal in the first quarter? The snap hit the ground, but Masthay got it up in time for the kick.
What's next: The Packers will host the Dallas Cowboys in their second Sunday night game in three weeks.
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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.
