NFC North
Minnesota won this week despite Justin Jefferson being shut down, but are they the best of this division? Green Bay has some catching up to do, Detroit still needs to learn how to finish games and Chicago got the monkey off their back, but will they win again?
Chicago Bears – I had a feeling Khalil Herbert was going to breakout sooner or later with the way he started the season but I didn’t expect he’d rush for 157 yards on 20 carries (7.9 YPC) with two touchdowns. This of course came after David Montgomery exited the game early with a right knee and ankle injury. He was rolled up while blocking for Justin Fields and the Bears finished the game with 281 rushing yards, the most they’ve put up as a team since 1984.
Detroit Lions – Note to the savvy, Jeff Okudah is a bad man. This season he’s now shut down Terry McLaurin and Justin Jefferson in back-to-back games. Also for your IDP leaguers out there, Malcolm “Rodrigo” Rodriguez is a sleeper if you need a linebacker. The Lions were dealt a huge blow defensively when Tracy Walker was carted off with a torn Achilles. Amon-Ra St. Brown’s 8-game streak of at least 60 yards receiving and eight receptions came to an end, but only because he suffered an ankle injury in the second half. St. Brown is three touchdowns and D’Andre Swift is out for a month. Jamaal Williams will fill in, but he’s no Swift.
Green Bay Packers – This game delivered on all of the defensive hype heading into the game. Both offenses struggled mightily with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon combining for just 68 rushing yards. Aaron Rodgers missed Sammy Watkins but got Romeo Doubs involved, Allen Lazard caught a red zone touchdown and Robert Tonyan is amongst the favorite targets.
Minnesota Vikings – Justin Jefferson was shut down, Dalvin Cook separated his shoulder and somehow the Vikings still won. Alexander Mattison owners will want to be see if Cook’s injury bleeds into Weeks 4 and 5. If so, they might get to use Mattison for his yearly spot starts. He has yet to play a full season since entering the league in 2017 and                is listed as day-to-day. Kirk Cousins put up QB2 numbers and finally went to K.J. Osborn but only after it was clear that Jefferson would not be able to shake his coverage. Osborn, who had 82 targets last year, came into Week 3 with just six targets. Against the Lions, Osborn tied for the team lead in targets with Adam Thielen with eight.
