Key Takeaways from each NFC North Week 8 Game

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Nov 2, 2020
Matt Engstrom Vikings Illustrations Packers Crash The North
Packers Crash The North - by Matt Engstrom

Minnesota Vikings (2-5) 28, Green Bay Packers (5-2) 22

Dalvin Cook truly makes a difference

On Sunday, Dalvin Cook let the league know the difference between him and his backup Alexander Mattison. Cook dominated this game and took advantage of a lackluster Packers defense. The Vikings offense simply becomes more dynamic with Cook, and his 200-plus total yards and four scores show that.

Kirk Cousins averaged less than two air yards — the distance the ball travels per throw — according to The Athletic’s Robert Mays. Yet, he averaged 11.43 yard per attempt. As good as Cook was on the ground, the talent he adds in the passing game makes Cousins’ life so easy.

The screen pass touchdown put Cook in space, and the special elusiveness he possessed was fun to watch. It’s hard to imagine that the current Vikings would win a game against a good team without major production from Adam Thelein or Justin Jefferson, but that’s a testimony to Cook.

Indianapolis Colts (5-2) 41, Detroit Lions (3-4) 21

Getting away from the run game

It’s hard to win games once an offense becomes one dimensional. However, the Lions might want to consider giving up on trying to establish a run game. Despite Matthew Stafford losing his top target Kenny Golladay due to injury, he threw for over 300 yards.

The Lions’ odd obsession with continuing to give Adrian Peterson touches rather than letting D’Andre Swift take a full workhouse role is head scratching. The defense is simply not good enough to take the run-first, grind out approach, and Swift is much more explosive than Peterson on the ground and a far better receiver. Nyheim Hines was so excited to take advantage of the Lions weak linebacking core that he started doing cartwheels.

Even if Golladay is out for extended time, Stafford should be allowed to sling it. Swift, T.J. Hockenson and Marvin Jones are a good enough receiving group to work with.

New Orleans Saints (5-2) 26, Chicago Bears (5-3) 23

Allen Robinson needed to be more involved

The Saints have struggled to cover all season long. The Bears tried to target Marshon Lattimore. According to PFF, Lattimore was thrown at 12 times. Although, the most targeted receiver was Anthony Miller, not Allen Robinson. Jimmy Graham and Darnell Mooney had a similar target share as Robinson.

Robinson didn’t practice all week because he was in the concussion protocol, but nevertheless he’s the best offensive player on the Bears. It’s confusing that with Nick Foles being limited, and Chicago’s inability to start anything on the ground with David Montgomery, that the Bears game plan each week doesn’t try to put the ball in Robinson’s hands as many times as possible.

On Robinson’s touchdown catch, he went and made a play. Even if it’s not pretty, Robinson will go out there and get it.