NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

Bears

The Bears’ 41-25 loss to the Packers on Sunday night marked their fifth-straight loss after a 5-1 start to the season — and the final score does not reflect how thoroughly Chicago was dominated. Bears HC Matt Nagy was understandably incensed after the game. 

“We understand where we’re at and that when you have games like this, you’ve got to figure out, you’ve got to soul-search,” Nagy said via Mark Maske of the Washington Post. “And you’ve got to be able to stop the bleeding. . .. Obviously the last five weeks [have] been extremely difficult. It’s not fun because we all want to win. . . . When you go through these times, how do you respond? And I think that’s the test of true character.”

Given some time to watch the film, Nagy’s assessment became even harsher on Monday. 

“I know this: We better wake our tails up,” Nagy said via ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson. “Every freaking coach on the staff, every player, better wake up and start understanding where we’re at. Have some personal pride. Have a freaking sense of urgency. Know where we’re at. Have some pride into who we’re playing for and why we do this and then go find a way to win as a team. That’s my challenge to every single person in that building this week is that.

“Yesterday was flat-out embarrassing and our guys know it. I’m not telling you something they don’t know. They know it. But we’re going to step up and all coaches, all players, and we’ve got five games left. For us, it’s our own personal challenge as to where we’re at and how we’re going to do this thing. But that performance yesterday is ridiculous and can’t happen and obviously that starts with me.”

• Asked whether QB Mitchell Trubisky would start again next week, Nagy responded: “I don’t see why not.” (Brad Biggs)

Lions

The Lions have a clean slate after firing both their head coach and general manager this past weekend. Naturally that lead to questions about QB Matthew Stafford‘s future with the team, but owner Sheila Ford Hamp deferred those to the next coach.  

“Well, since I’m not the coach, I’m probably not the right person to ask that question to,” Hamp said via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “We’ll see what the new coach has to say.”

• Lions interim HC Darrell Bevell says he will continue to call the plays on offense. (Justin Rogers)

Packers

• According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, Packers C Corey Linsley is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain. Packers HC Matt LaFleur noted after the game they didn’t think the injury was season-ending. 

Vikings

• Per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said he’s hopeful WR Adam Thielen will be cleared from the COVID-19 list for this coming week’s game against the Jaguars. 
• Zimmer mentioned Thielen and TE Kyle Rudolph are the Vikings’ emergency quarterback options. (Tomasson)
• Regarding RB Dalvin Cook‘s ankle injury, Zimmer said he doesn’t know the full picture yet but the early word is good. (Tomasson)
• Adam Schefter confirms that Cook is not expected to miss any time due to the ankle injury he suffered Sunday.