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
Much like the Packers, the Bears opened up their preseason schedule with a close home loss to an AFC team, as the Kansas City Chiefs topped the Bears by a 24-20 score at Soldier Field last Thursday.
In the battle for the starting quarterback position, both Kyle Orton (who got the start) and Rex Grossman were solid. Orton completed seven of 10 passes for 56 yards, while Grossman threw one of the team’s two passing touchdowns on the night while completing four of eight passes for 44 yards.
Grossman’s first touchdown pass of the preseason was caught by Garrett Wolfe, the diminutive but speedy second-year back who figures to be in the mix to help replace Cedric Benson. Wolfe, who has been battling a hamstring injury, joins rookie Matt Forte and veteran Adrian Peterson to likely form a three-heading running attack. Wolfe was the most impressive of the three on this night, as he led the team in rushing (seven carries for 64 yards) in addition to his 25-yard touchdown reception.
The news is not good regarding first round pick Chris Williams, who had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back late last week. There is talk in Chicago that he could return later this season, though that may seem optimistic given the severe nature of the injury. Regardless, losing your first round pick for most of the season isn’t going to make the offense’s life any easier.
The Bears break camp this Thursday as the prepare to take on the Seahawks, who beat the Vikings 34-17 last Friday, in Seattle on Saturday night.
Detroit Lions
The Lions were the only NFC North team to open the 2008 preseason with a win, as they toppled the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants by a 13-10 score at Ford Field last Thursday night.
Detroit’s quarterback as a whole were very strong on this night, completing 19 of 24 passes for 214 yards a touchdown. Starter Jon Kitna connected with his favorite target, wide receiver Roy Williams, for a 20-yard score in the first quarter. The former Texas standout will be a highly sought after free agent after this season if he doesn’t resign with the Lions.
More good news for the Lions came in the form of second-year wideout Calvin Johnson, who led the team in receiving with four catches for 78 yards. With former offensive coordinator Mike Martz now in San Francisco, it will be interesting to watch the Lions passing game this season and how it differs from the past few seasons with Martz at the helm.
As well as the passing game did against the Giants, the running game, which has been problematic for Detroit for several years now, struggled. Detroit ran the ball 35 times against New York but accumulated just 84 yards, and averaged just 2.4 yards per carry. 26 of those yards came from quarterback Drew Stanton, who was the team’s leading rusher. Rookie Kevin smith had eight carries for 22 yards, while veterans Tatem Bell, Aveion Cason, and Artose Pinner all struggled.
Lions team President Matt Millen said that the team tried to ink free agent linebacker Takeo Spikes to help bolster the team’s defense, but Spikes opted to sign with the 49ers instead.
The injury bug hit the Lions secondary as cornerback Stanley Wilson suffered a torn Achilles tendon that will put him out for the remainder of the season.
Green Bay Packers
With the Brett Favre saga now clearly (?) in the rearview mirror, the Packers were finally able to move forward with Aaron Rodgers leading the team’s offense, which finished second to only the New England Patriots in total offense last season.
The Green and Gold officially turned the page on Monday night as they hosted the Cincinnati Bengals in both team’s preseason opener. Rodgers had an okay night, going nine of 15 for 117 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception. His lone touchdown pass went to second-year wideout James Jones, who was hit hard and lost his helmet on the play, but managed to keep his footing and made his way to the end zone.
In the battle to backup Rodgers, rookie Matt Flynn (12-21, 97 yds., 1 TD) was more impressive than his fellow first-year QB Brian Brohm (8-17, 70 yds., 1 INT).
Running back Ryan Grant, who recently ended his brief holdout by inking a four-year deal, did not play. In his place, last year’s second round pick, Brandon Jackson, had just six carries but accumulated 44 yards. Due to Grant’s holdout, Jackson could hold onto the starting job if he continues to impress, though Jackson did miss some blitz pickups according to head coach Mike McCarthy, so there’s still room for improvement.
Defensively, the Packers were without a handful of defensive starters who missed Monday’s game but it doesn’t appear as though their injuries will keep them out of action for an extended period of time.
Next up for the Packers is a trip to the San Francisco to take on the 49ers this Saturday.