Quarterbacks Nightmare

Courtesy of Phodiction.com

The Green Bay Packers All-Pro linebacker Clay Matthews is looking to make his return in the coming weeks. Matthews broke his thumb on a sack of quarterback Matthew Stafford during their week 5 match up against the Detroit Lions. Matthews has missed the last three games but Matthews will be a little bit closer to getting back on the field Thursday as the pins will be removed from his thumb. The Packers have won all three games in the absence of Matthews and even more surprisingly the Packers have dominated on defense racking up 11 sack over those games. As the division race continues to heat up the Packers will need Matthews on the field to help anchor down the defense for the team's run at another Super Bowl.

DT Help Needed

courtesy of mkrob.com

The Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to sign veteran defensive tackle Jay Ratliff. Ratliff, who was a member of the Dallas Cowboys last season, was placed on the injured reserve due to a groin injury. Ratliff proceeded to have a hernia surgery last off season and was told he would be unable to play for at least 4 months. The Cowboys originally placed Ratliff on the unable to perform list but was released after week 2 because of disagreement by the training staff on the severity of the injury. One other team is expected to talk with Ratliff before he makes a decision. Ratliff is a 4 time Pro Bowler with 8 years of experience in the NFL. The Bears and Chiefs are both looking to sure up defensive line that have been decimated by injury.

Bears on the Bye

The Chicago Bears head into their bye week, 8th week of the season,  following a heartbreaking 45-41 lost to the Washington Redskins. The Bears have been struggling on defense in the past weeks and are fitting the injury back. The Bears' defense has already lost Pro Bowl defensive tackle Henry Melton but last week the captain of the defense, Lance Briggs, fractured his shoulder and will be out 4 to 6 weeks. On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Jay Cutler tore his groin and will miss at least the next 4 weeks. Cutler seemed optimistic that he could make an early return, but we will have to see how his recovery process goes.The Chicago Bears will return in week 9 to take on division rival Green Bay Packers and  improve on a 4-3 record.

Roaring Comeback

Courtesy of SI.com

The Detroit Lions are trying to keep stride in this year's NFC North. Last season, the Lions fell out of the race ending with a 4-12 record. This season behind a solid running game and young quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Lions look to get back into the playoffs. In week 8, Detroit took on the Dallas Cowboys in what was one of thee most exciting games of the week. Star wide receiver Calvin Johnson dominated all afternoon with 329 receiving yards with one touchdown in a comeback win over the Cowboys.  Johnson made a spectacular catch to move the ball to the one yard line where Matthew Stafford caught the Dallas defense by surprise and lunged in the end-zone. Dallas thought Stafford was going to spike the ball for one last play and were caught of guard. The Detroit Lions moved to 5-3 on the season and one game behind the Green Bay Packers for the division lead. 

Divisional Matchup

Courtesy of Bleacherreport.com

The NFC North division race is heating up as the Green Bay Packers took on the Minnesota Vikings in a 8 match up  Defending division champs, the Green Bay Packers dominated the Minnesota Vikings in a Divisional match up last weekend winning 44-31. The Vikings, who are coming off a strong season last year, were looking to get themselves back into the divisional race at home against the cheese heads.  The Minnesota Vikings are struggling to move the ball on offense. The Vikes can't seem to move the ball through the air with their plethora of  average quarterbacks, which is leading to the struggles of star running back Adrian Peterson. The Vikings fell to 1-6 on the season while the Packers took over the Division lead, going 5-2 through the first 8 weeks of the season. The Packers cruised with stellar play by Aaron Rodgers and emerging running back Eddie Lacy.