NFC North First Quarter Report Cards
We never really know what to expect from the first few games of the NFL Season. Some call the first two games an extension of the preseason, with good reason. Things are starting to shape up though. Some of the teams were getting a late start, some were sleeping, some were looking better because others were not up to task quite yet. This week we are handing out report cards for the first quarter of the 2008 season. Grades are based on where the team’s performance up until now has landed them in rankings of certain statistical categories. Here, we take a look at the NFC North…
Green Bay Packers (2-2)
Offensive Grades:
Points Per Game: B
Yards Per Game: C
Passing Yards Per Game: B-
Rushing Yards Per Game: D+
Defensive Grades:
Points Allowed: D+
Yards Allowed: D
Pass Yards Allowed Per Game: C
Rush Yards Allowed Per Game: D
Comments:
The Packers entered the season on fire, looking like they were not going to miss a beat, despite the loss of a pretty good QB. Aaron Rodgers made people rest a little easier to start the season, but everyone’s concern of injury issues with him as reared it’s ugly head. The defense is playing below average and the running game is as well. Those two areas need to step up and help Rodgers in his first season as a starter.
Chicago Bears (2-2)
Offensive Grades:
Points Per Game: C
Yards Per Game: C-
Passing Yards Per Game: D+
Rushing Yards Per Game: B-
Defensive Grades:
Points Allowed: B-
Yards Allowed: C
Pass Yards Allowed Per Game: D-
Rush Yards Allowed Per Game: B+
Comments:
So far with two wins and a tie for the division lead, Lovie Smith is looking good for making Kyle Orton the starter. We know that was the lessor of two evils. One of the more impressive rookies, Matt Forte, is running the rock in the Chicago way and looks impressive. The defense, always the strength of a Chicago team, is giving up too much in the passing game. Come on guys…don’t make Kyle win this game for you, you know better than that.
Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
Offensive Grades:
Points Per Game:D
Yards Per Game: C+
Passing Yards Per Game: C-
Rushing Yards Per Game: B+
Defensive Grades:
Points Allowed: C+
Yards Allowed: B+
Pass Yards Allowed Per Game: C
Rush Yards Allowed Per Game: A
Comments:
Sometimes you have to wonder why it takes a team a couple games into the season to make a move at QB, especially if they vow that move is for the rest of the season. They should be 2-2 here as a little QB play would have had them beat the Colts. We thought it would be the running game and defense that would make them compete this year and it looks that way although the pass defense needs to improve.
Detroit Lions (0-3)
Offensive Grades:
Points Per Game: D+
Yards Per Game: D
Passing Yards Per Game: C
Rushing Yards Per Game: F
Defensive Grades:
Points Allowed: F
Yards Allowed: F
Pass Yards Allowed Per Game: D+
Rush Yards Allowed Per Game: F
Comments:
The boot given to Matt Millen is a victory in itself for Lions fans. It still has to be hard to see your team be so damned bad. Rudi Johnson appears like he is going to help the running game a little but the defense is not going to help. With the talent on the offense it’s hard to watch the performance be so bad when they do have the ball.
