MINNEAPOLIS _ The Chicago Bears has started the season 2-4, after defeating the Ravens in Baltimore. The Detroit Lions are 3-3, losers of two straight games after their defense was filleted for 52 points on Sunday. And the Green Bay Packers _ still tied with the Vikings atop the NFC North at 4-2 after a 23-10 loss at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday _ are likely in more trouble than anyone.
The Packers lost Aaron Rodgers to a broken right collarbone in the first quarter, when Anthony Barr knocked him to the ground after Rodgers threw his fourth pass of the day to Martellus Bennett. They'd been able to weather injuries along their offensive line, and the loss of three starters in their defensive backfield, because they had Rodgers. With their MVP quarterback out, their offense looked listless and aimless.
Injuries, to be sure, have scorched the Vikings best-laid plans, too. They started Case Keenum for the fourth time this season Sunday, as Sam Bradford's left knee troubles kept him out again. Their quarterback situation _ so often a source of palace intrigue _ is about to be juicy again, with Teddy Bridgewater likely to be cleared for practice this week and Bradford's status uncertain. The Vikings already lost rookie running back Dalvin Cook for the season, and they played Sunday without three more starters: wide receiver Stefon Diggs, guard Nick Easton and safety Andrew Sendejo.
But in a division that might turn into a war of attrition, the Vikings are in prime position to strike because of how they've managed their injuries.
Though he had a costly fumble deep in Packers territory, Jerick McKinnon was otherwise impressive in relief of Cook, carrying 16 times for 69 yards, catching another 5 passes for 30 yards and scoring touchdowns as both a runner and receiver. Keenum threw the Vikings' first interception of the season, and could have been intercepted again on two ill-advised throws to Adam Thielen. But he used his mobility effectively and found holes in a decimated Packers secondary, throwing for 239 yards.
Rodgers' early departure prevented the Packers from exploiting Sendejo's injury, and as the Vikings' stout run defense kept rookie Aaron Jones from reprising his breakout performance a week ago, coach Mike Zimmer was able to dial up blitzes that had Packers backup QB Brett Hundley out of sorts for most of the afternoon. Barr (who left with a concussion) drilled the UCLA product on one pressure, and Harrison Smith finished with 1 { sacks, as well as one of the Vikings' two interceptions.
The Packers managed only 227 yards of total offense, converting just 14 first downs. They had a touchdown overturned when a replay showed Ty Montgomery hadn't corralled a Hundley pass as he stretched for the end zone, and couldn't challenge a third-quarter Keenum throw to McKinnon (which appeared to hit the ground) after coach Mike McCarthy had already spent the Packers' two challenges.
Where the Vikings go from here remains to be seen. They have another home game on Sunday _ their fourth in five weeks _ against the Baltimore Ravens, but will play just three of their final nine at U.S. Bank Stadium. A difficult second-half road schedule includes three straight road games against Detroit, Atlanta and Carolina.
But with bootlegs for Keenum, screens and draws for McKinnon, deep throws for Thielen and a handful of connections for Kyle Rudolph, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur appeared in full control of his personnel, as currently constituted.
Few coordinators in the division can make such a claim at this point, as the Packers prepare to become the third NFC North team to use their second starting quarterback of the season next Sunday.
It's possible the Vikings will become the first team to three, if Bridgewater winds up back in the mix at some point this year. But if anything's gotten them to the top of the NFC North thus far, it's the fact that, no matter how ungainly it's seemed at times, these Vikings have found a way.
