The Packers won, the Vikings lost, and the Lions and Bears battled in a game that was embarrassing for both teams. It was definitely a plus week in the NFC North. 

Vikings

The Vikings fell victim to the resurgent Broncos 21-20.

Game Notes

• Josh Dobbs came back to earth a bit in a just OK performance. Dobbs finished 20/32 for 221 yards, a TD, and a pick. 
• The Vikings were able to get the run game going for what might be the first time this season. Alexander Mattison had 81 yards on 18 carries and Ty Chandler added another 73. 175 total rush yards was the team's highest total this season and the average of 4.9 yards per carry was the highest average, other than when they played the Chargers and we've all heard this week that offensive stats against the Chargers don't count. 
• The defense didn't actually play that badly. They held the Broncos to under 300 total yards and under 50 rush yards. The Broncos forced three turnovers and took advantage. If you could point at an issue with the Vikings defense, it's that when the game was on the line with three minutes left in the fourth, they allowed Russell Wilson to lead a scoring drive to take the lead. The end of this game was a lot like the Packers' match-up with the Broncos and if there's one thing you don't want to hear about your NFL team, it's that the defense has something in common with the Packers'. 
• Danielle Hunter led the way for the Vikings D in this game, he had 2 TFLs and a sack and got pressure on a few plays where the Vikings only rushed 3. Most of the time drop 8 defense is frustrating for fans, but if you have an edge who can get pressure like Hunter it works as a change-up. 

Former Packers

• Dean Lowry tore his pec in the game and is out for the season. 

Next Week

The Vikings play the Bears on Monday night.

Bears and Lions

The Lions eked out a 31-26 victory over the Bears. 

Game Notes

• Most of this game had the flavor of a Justin Fields breakout combined with Jared Goff turning into a pumpkin. Goff had three interceptions and Fields had 104 rush yards and a 105 QB rating, The Bears led by 14 with four minutes left. Of course, because the Bears are the Bears, the Lions just moved the ball down the field at will and took over to win. 
• David Montgomery had 76 yards on 12 carries and Jahmyr Gibbs had another strong game with 95 total yards. The Sun God added 77 receiving yards and Jameson Williams had another longish TD. 
• On the Bears' side, DJ Moore had 96 receiving yards and a TD and no one else really helped Justin Fields in the game. 
• Defensively, the Lions shut down the Bears' run and forced a crucial fumble and safety in the turning point of the game. 
• The Bears D just still isn't there. Even in a game where they had three interceptions, five passes defensed, and a forced fumble, the story is their failure in the fourth quarter. 

Former Packers

• The Badgers linebacker squad continued its run of good performances, TJ Edwards had 9 tackles and Jack Sanborn had a sack. 
• EQ St. Brown had 2 catches for 19 yards. 

Next Week

The Lions and Packers play on Thanksgiving.