NFC North roundtable: Biggest surprises, keys for Week 3 games

Going around the NFC North with our On SI colleagues to discuss the third week of the regular season.

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

We're going around the NFC North with our On SI colleagues in Green Bay, Detroit and Chicago to answer two key questions for each team in Week 3. First, what are the biggest surprises through two weeks? Second, what are the biggest keys for each team in their respective Week 3 matchups?

Let's dive into the answers from Detroit's John Maakaron, Chicago's Gene Chamberlain, Green Bay's Bill Huber and myself representing the Vikings.

Vikings vs. Texans (12 p.m. CT Sunday)

Surprises through Week 2: Well, this Sam Darnold guy is pretty good. Should we be surprised? The narrative on Darnold all along has been that he's blessed with tremendous arm talent but has never had a strong supporting cast to help him show off his talent. Minnesota's offensive line is protecting him and he's firing on all cylinders. That said, it certainly was a surprise when Darnold went 3-for-3 on critical third downs without his three best targets (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson) to help Minnesota secure a win with a scoring drive late in the fourth quarter. 

Keys to Week 3 win: Houston scored on six of nine possessions before running out the clock against Indy in Week 1 and then they scored on four of five drives in the first half against the Bears before falling apart in the second half. I think the first six quarters better represent who the Texans are than the last two, and that's precisely why it's going to be critical for Minnesota to find ways to get Houston off the field. Slowing down Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs will also be huge, but if the Vikings were able to limit Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, they're capable of doing the same to Houston's lethal receivers. 

Packers at Titans (12 p.m. Sunday)

Surprises through Week 2: The Packers were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season in creating turnovers. Their seven interceptions were second-fewest in the league. After nuking the safety corps this offseason, Green Bay enters Week 3 ranked No. 1 with five interceptions and six takeaways. With the additions of Xavier McKinney (two interceptions) in free agency and Javon Bullard and Evan Williams (one interception) in the draft, maybe the turnover production isn’t a “surprise,” but it’s been a huge development.

Keys to Week 3 win: We’ll pull this one from Page 1 of The Book of NFL Cliches. The Packers have to stop the run. They were mostly decent against Philadelphia but were filleted and flambéed by the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor last week. The Titans feature Tony Pollard, who had a couple 1,000-yard seasons for the Cowboys. If the Packers can stop the run, the door will be open to pressuring Will Levis into sacks and turnovers.

Bears at Colts (12 p.m. Sunday)

Surprises through Week 2: How little they've tried to lean on running backs in the attack with a rookie playing QB.  They have 33 rushes by backs so far if you count Velus Jones Jr. as a running back, but most call him something else. They got rid of a running QB who led them in rushing and drafted a passer, and now Williams through Week 2 is their leading rusher. Go figure.  ... Also, how ineffective their offensive line has been. They talked constantly about wanting the same group together and they've essentially had it for the last two preseason games and through two weeks with a league-high nine sacks and 2.48 yards a rush by backs. 

Keys to Week 3 win: Looking at game film and actually seeing how the Packers and Texans ran the ball down the Colts' throats, and then even doing the same thing or something very similar. Also, arriving to stop the run. They've leaked against the run in each of the first two games early before stiffening and finishing strong. They can't let Jonathan Taylor get going because at some point Shane Steichen will actually figure out his team is better off with Taylor carrying 25 times than with Anthony Richardson throwing interceptions.

Lions at Cardinals (3:25 p.m., Sunday)

Surprises through Week 2: The Lions offense underwhelmed against Tampa Bay in a Week 2 loss and has not been the juggernaut many thought they would be. Most notably, they were 1-for-7 on trips to the red zone in a loss to the Buccaneers. Amon-Ra St. Brown bounced back after a quiet first week, but tight end Sam LaPorta has been held in check through the first two games. 

Keys to Week 3 win: Detroit must run the ball more effectively. The Buccaneers made the Lions one-dimensional by stuffing the ground attack on early downs, forcing Jared Goff to throw the ball 55 times. That lack of diversity in play-calling is a recipe for disaster for Detroit, so they must get better production on the ground against the Cardinals. — John Maakaron, Lions On SI.