vikings.com takes a look around the rest of the NFC North to see what the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers have going on…
Chicago Bears
After tabbing Kyle Orton as their starting quarterback for the 2008 season, the former Purdue standout proved the Bears brass correct in their decision making for at least one game as he tore up the 49ers secondary in the team’s third preseason contest. Orton completed 10-of-17 passes for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns. Both of his scoring strikes went to fourth-year wideout Rashied Davis, who is trying to fill the void left by the offseason departures of Bernard Berrian (Vikings) and Mushin Muhammad (Panthers). Davis had 17 and 22 catches in his second and third seasons with Chicago, respectively, after getting spot duty on special teams as a rookie.
Rookie running back Matt Forte appears to be set as the team’s featured back after averaging 4.4 years per carry against the 49ers. Former Detroit Lion Kevin Jones, who was brought in by the team earlier this summer, had a 34-yard run against San Francisco but finished the night with 30 yards on three carries.
On the defensive side of the ball, 49ers quarterback (and former Viking) J.T. O’Sullivan had little trouble moving the ball down the field against Chicago’s defense, as he too looked solid in throwing for 126 yards and a touchdown while completing 7-of-8 passes. Despite the offense’s success in this game, the Bears defense will likely have to carry the load this season if Chicago is to push for a playoff spot, and allowing 37 points in a 37-30 loss to the 49ers isn’t a good sign.
Detroit Lions
After their win last week against the Cleveland Browns, the Lions remain the only undefeated NFC North team this preseason. Maybe the best sign for the Lions this preseason has been the development of last season’s second overall pick Calvin Johnson. Despite only have two catches against the Browns, Johnson now has nine catches for 170 yards and a touchdown this preseason. Wideouts generally take time to develop at the NFL level, but it appears as though Johnson – who will surely benefit from playing along side veteran Roy Williams – is ready to break out in just his second pro season.
In the backfield, rookie Kevin Smith and veteran Brian Calhoun both had similar nights against Cleveland: Smith had 10 carries for 45 yards with a 35-yard run mixed in, while Calhoun had nine carries for 61 yards with 40 of those yards coming on one carry. Smith’s 35-yard scamper was good for a touchdown, and with Tatem Bell, the third member of the Lions backfield, struggling, it looks like Smith and Calhoun could lead the way for Detroit this season.
Quarterback Jon Kitna continued his strong preseason as well, going 9-of-11 for 98 yards with no turnovers. After three preseason games he is now 18-of-21 for 280 yards, two touchdown passes and no turnovers. Maybe getting rid of offensive coordinator Mike Martz was truly the best direction for the Lions to go?
Green Bay Packers
After looking somewhat shaky in his two previous preseason outings this year, quarterback Aaron Rodgers continued this week’s trend of NFC North quarterbacks performing well by finally put it together in the team’s 27-24 win at Denver. The former Cal Bear picked apart the Broncos secondary, going 18-of-22 for 193 yards and a touchdown. One can only imagine that Rodgers, who was a first round pick and has looked good in his limited playing time up to this point in his career, will only improve as the cloud of Brett Favre removes itself from Eastern Wisconsin.
Running back Ryan Grant, who briefly held out at the start of training camp but later signed a new four-year deal with the team, has yet to play in a preseason game due to his contract issue and then a hamstring issue. Brandon Jackson, who was a second round pick last year, has played well in Grant’s absence, prompting head coach Mike McCarthy to speak of limiting Grant’s workload this season and possibly going to a more “two-headed” attack.
Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler had little trouble handling Green Bay’s defense which has given up an average of 26 points per game this preseason. For the Vikings sake, hopefully this is a trend and not a mirage as the two teams prepare to meet on Monday Night Football to start the regular season on Sept. 8 at Lambeau Field.