Up Next in the North - Week 10 Edition

Welcome to Up Next in the North – your weekly briefing on the ever-shifting blueprint of the Black-and-Blue Division. Today we log the latest waiver wire wrinkles, run the diagnostic on the week’s injury reports and map out exactly how the next slate of games will be won or lost. This week will look a little different as one of the Lions’ three divisional foes has the week off (DaBears), while The Cheeseheads and Skol play each other.

DaBears (7-2)

Up Next: BYE WEEK

Up Next: November 22 vs New Orleans Saints

Windy City News/Updates

In a classic display of pure, undeserved luck, the Bear stumbled their way into a 27–24 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday night despite doing everything humanly possible to hand the game away. Caleb Williams put on a turnover clinic with four interceptions—bringing Chicago's grand total to five giveaways—meaning the offense's main strategy was apparently letting the defense bail them out against a Buccaneers squad that couldn't convert a third down to save its life. Naturally, Bears fans are treating this messy, penalty-ridden survival act like a Super Bowl parade as they limp into their bye week, conveniently ignoring that playing like that against a real team—say, in Detroit on Thanksgiving - should get them run right out of Ford Field.

Some Bears that are nursing injuries and glad to have an extra week off:

• WR Luther Burden – Ticky suffered a concussion late in the game against the Bucs and is going through the protocol. He may sit against the Saints to be ready for Thanksgiving Day.

• RB Kyle Monangai – He has missed four games due to injuries to a thumb and also a toe. He’ll probably be back against the Saints and presumably play on Thanksgiving.

• CB’s – Tyrique Stevenson and Malik Muhammad – both had minor injuries and should be good to go by the Saints game

The other big news out of ChiTown: Per Fox 32 in Chicago a $10 Billion dollar new stadium plan was released. On November 12 a plan was unveiled to build a 75,000-seat domed stadium and entertainment district at the former Michael Reese Hospital site. The 100-acre development includes housing, hotels, and retail projected to generate $135 million in annual tax revenue as Illinois lawmakers prepare to weigh stadium financing laws

Skol (6-2) at The Cheeseheads (6-3)

When: Sunday, 1:00 on Fox – with the top broadcast crew: Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady and Co.

Spread: Packers (-3)

After Detroit takes care of business against New England in Germany over breakfast, Lions fans get to kick back in their recliners at 1:00 and watch our two least favorite neighbors try to ruin each other's seasons at Lambeau Field. On one side, you have the Minnesota Vikings, whose front office panicked so hard after watching Carson Wentz play quarterback that they literally dusted off a time machine to trade back for Kirk Cousins - giving him roughly four days to remember how to take a snap without tripping over his own offensive line. On the other side are the 3-point favorite Green Bay Packers, who are still trying to avenge getting embarrassed 39–22 by Minnesota back in Week 1 and will undoubtedly rely on Jordan Love throwing reckless jump balls into triple coverage and praying for a bailout flag. Honestly, it doesn't even matter who wins this, as long as both teams beat each other up and one of them leaves Wisconsin with another loss, it's a glorious Sunday afternoon for Detroit.

A few interesting notes:

If you’re a fan of old school, smashmouth offense, this may not be your cup of tea. This game features the 30th and 31st ranked team in terms of rushing

Last week when the Packers played the Patriots Love was 10-11 for 146 and a 149.1 passer rating against the blitz. He will probably have at least double those passing attempts against the blitz this week.

The last time Kirk Cousins played in Lambeau was in October of 2023. It was the game he tore his achilles, which led to the Vikings going through this “Who’s Who” of quarterbacks over their last 52 games:

• Jaren Hall

• Josh Dobbs

• Nick Mullens

• Sam Darnold

• J.J. McCarthy

• Carson Wentz

• Max Brosmer

• Kyler Murray

• And that doesn’t count three more – Matt Corral, Brett Rypien and Sam Howell) that were on the roster and didn’t play any snaps.

Is it any wonder they figured it may be worth a 3rd rounder to bring back the former Spartan?!?!

NOTABLE INJURIES

Cheeseheads

• RB Josh Jacobs – finger injury. It was either caught in his handcuffs or happened on the field. Either way, couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

• RB Chris Brooks is dealing with an ankle, but is expected to play

• EDGE Micah Parsons and Lukas Van Ness – Parsons has been targeting this game as his return. Van Ness has a new back injury that just popped up on the injury report this week.

• LB Zaire Franklin injured his shin last week, but is expected to be ready by Sunday

• DB Javon Bullard – Ankle/Knee injuries. He left the Patriot game early but should be OK by Sunday.

• Offensive Live: C Sean Rhyan, OG Aaron Banks, and OG Kevin Zeitler are all dealing with knee and ankle injuries that could be factors against the Vikings’ defense.

• K Trey Smack has a calf issue in his right leg. Seems kind of important for a kicker to have healthy legs?

SKOL

• LB Blake Cashman – Is in concussion protocol and still was a non-participant at Wednesday practice. This could be HUGE to the Viking D as Cashman is not only playing great, he wears the green dot for the defense.

• TE TJ Hockenson – Wrist/calf injuries. Should be good to go on Sunday

• WR Jauan Jennings – Calf injury and should be ok by Sunday.

• QB Kyler Murray has a bad hamstring and Carson Wentz an injured ankle. Medical experts confirm the real issues is two bruised egos after watching their front office panic-trade for a 38 year old to replace them.

This article was created with an assist from AI for information gathering purposes