NFC North

Despite his recent struggles, Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is not in danger of losing his job.

According to Pro Football Talk, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that he will "absolutely not" replace Crosby, who has missed four field goals over the last three weeks.

Crosby hit 1-of-2 in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, making a 54-yard field goal but missing a 32-yard attempt. Green Bay ended up losing by three points to its NFC North rival to fall to 8-3.

LaFleur said the blame for the missed field goal wasn't solely on Crosby. He added that his confidence in the 37-year-old kicker hasn't changed.

"That never falls squarely on one individual," LaFleur said. "Our operation has to improve. From the snap to the hold to the kick. So we'll continue to work on that.

"But certainly have a lot of confidence in Mason, never would've sent him out there if we didn’t on a 54-yarder. That shows the level of confidence we have in him and on the entire group to execute, and they executed. But you have to make the chip shots."

A 15-year veteran, Crosby is 15-of-23 on field goals this season. His 65.2 percentage is the second-worst mark of his career.

Despite Sunday's loss, the Packers remain at the top of their division. Green Bay's 8-3 record is second in the NFC behind the 9-2 Arizona Cardinals. The Packers will look to bounce back in a high-profile matchup against the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday.

Some of the Chicago Bears are reportedly tired of head coach Matt Nagy.

Insider Jordan Schultz reported that "an overwhelming number of Bears' players want Matt Nagy gone." Schultz also cited a source who said, "He lost some of the locker room last season, but now it's gone."

While that would seem to indicate Nagy's time in Chicago could be coming to an end, Schultz noted that the Bears have never fired a head coach during a season in their 101-year history.

There was a time when Nagy looked like an excellent hire for the Bears.

He went 12-4 in his first year as the head coach in 2018 and had Chicago playing like a Super Bowl contender with a dominant defense and home-field advantage in its first playoff game. However, that playoff game ended up being a 16-15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in which Cody Parkey missed a potential game-winning field goal in the final seconds.

Everything turned for Nagy after that.

There were reports of him obsessing over 43-yard kicks—which was the distance of Parkey's miss—as the team searched for a replacement kicker. Then the Bears missed the playoffs entirely in 2019 at 8-8 as one of the most disappointing teams in the league.

His play-calling was called into question, which was particularly notable since he was an offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs prior to coming to Chicago. That kicker Eddy Pineiro missed key field goals in losses in 2019 seemed like a cruel twist of fate given how the previous season ended.

The Bears then wasted an impressive 5-1 start in 2020 just to finish 8-8 overall and lose to the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the playoffs.

Even though there may be some long-term optimism in Chicago if Justin Fields ends up being the franchise quarterback the team has been missing for so long, the 2021 campaign has done nothing to bolster Nagy's stock.

The team is 3-7 and blew leads in its last three losses to the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. The Baltimore loss on Sunday came with Lamar Jackson sidelined, but backup Tyler Huntley still managed to lead the Ravens on a winning drive in the final minutes.

Next up is a Thursday game against a winless Detroit Lions team, and, if Nagy has truly lost the locker room, it isn't a stretch to suggest he could be coaching for his job.     

The Green Bay Packers offered their condolences and support to the people of Waukesha County in Wisconsin after an SUV drove through a Christmas parade and caused multiple fatalities Sunday.

The Packers' statement read:

Our thoughts are with the community of Waukesha this evening and those affected by the terrible, senseless act that took place at the holiday parade. We are grateful for the first responders and others who assisted the injured and comforted those in need. We share our condolences with those who lost loved ones. As a statewide community, we must all come together to support each other in these difficult times.

According to Alaa Elassar, Keith Allen and Joe Sutton of CNN, Police Chief Daniel P. Thompson said the SUV that drove through the parade route in Waukesha struck more than 20 people, leading to "some fatalities."

Thompson said authorities have a "person of interest" and recovered a suspect's vehicle.

Aurora Medical Center said it is treating 13 patients with three in critical condition, while Children's Wisconsin said it is treating 15 patients who were injured at the parade.

Justin Jefferson looked like Randy Moss while torching the Green Bay Packers secondary to the tune of eight catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns during the Minnesota Vikings' 34-31 victory on Sunday.

It's only fitting, then, that he wore a T-shirt of the Vikings great before the game and said he is trying to emulate Moss after the win.

"I admire him so much," Jefferson said, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "Classified as one of the best if not the best receiver in history. Definitely trying to follow behind him. Definitely want that gold jacket."

Jefferson has done quite the job following in Moss' footsteps considering Sunday marked his 11th career game with at least 100 receiving yards.

Florio noted that ties Moss and JuJu Smith-Schuster for the second-best total in a player's first two seasons in the Super Bowl era. Only Odell Beckham Jr. had more with 15, and Jefferson still has seven more games to catch the former New York Giants star.

It was more of the same for Jefferson after he finished last Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Chargers with nine catches for 143 yards.

The LSU product has 63 catches for 944 yards and six touchdowns on the season and appears to be well on his way to his second Pro Bowl in as many years. He wasn't the only game-changing wide receiver to haul in a touchdown during the win over the Packers, as Adam Thielen finished with eight catches for 82 yards and a score.

It was a critical win for the Vikings beyond the rivalry with Green Bay.

They are now 5-5 and two games behind the 8-3 Packers in the loss column in the NFC North race. What's more, they moved into sixth place in the NFC playoff picture and are in position to make the postseason after missing out last season.

As long as Jefferson continues to play like he has of late, the Vikings figure to be a factor the rest of the season.         

Aaron Rodgers suffered more than just a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon. 

The Green Bay Packers quarterback told reporters after the game that he reaggravated his toe injury during the first half of Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Vikings when his toe was stepped on in the first half.  

“It’s going to be another painful week next week, and then hopefully feel better over the bye," Rogers said. 

Rodgers added that his injury is “a little worse that turf toe," per ProFootballTalk's Josh Alper. However, he certainly didn't seem limited in the second half of Sunday's game, completing 10-of-11 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns. 

In total, Rogers completed 23-of-33 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns against Minnesota. He also had two carries for 21 yards. 

Rodgers was injured at some point during his COVID-19 quarantine, but returned to the Packers' lineup last week against the Seattle Seahawks. He threw for 292 yards and ran for eight yards in a 17-0 victory over the Seahawks. 

The Packers are hopeful Rodgers' injury will improve during the team's Week 13 bye, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero previously reported. However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added that the veteran will most likely have to deal with the injury through the remainder of the season. 

The reigning NFL MVP has only missed one game this season after testing positive for COVID-19. 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love threw for 190 yards, one touchdown and an interception in a 13-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 7. 

When Rodgers is healthy, the Packers are Super Bowl contenders. The 37-year-old entered Sunday's game with an 8-1 record, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,186 yards and 17 touchdowns against just four interceptions. 

However, it's become quite clear that Rodgers, and several other Green Bay players, need the rest entering the final stretch of the season. The Packers are set to return home for a Week 12 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams before hitting their bye week.  

The Minnesota Vikings had made a habit this season of creatively losing games. On Sunday, they managed to hold on and steal a close win instead.

In a crucial NFC North matchup, the Vikings beat the Packers 34-31, with Greg Joseph hitting a game-winning field goal as time expired. 

It didn't come easy. The Vikings appeared to be in the driver's seat late in the fourth quarter, when Kirk Cousins connected with Justin Jefferson on a 23-yard touchdown pass with just 2:17 remaining. 

JUSTIN JEFFERSON.@Vikings retake the lead. #SKOL

📺: #GBvsMIN on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/p7l0myzO5w

— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2021

But on Green Bay's next play from scrimmage, Rodgers found Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 75-yard touchdown pass. 

PACKERS ANSWER BACK.

75-yard TD to MVS! #GoPackGo

📺: #GBvsMIN on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/HFcPUszSGZ

— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2021

The Vikings still had the opportunity to move into field-goal position and were bailed out when a Cousins interception was overruled on replay and deemed an incomplete pass. A 26-yard pass to Adam Thielen and a 12-yard run from Dalvin Cook later, and Joseph lined up to hit the clinching kick. 

VIKINGS WIN. #SKOL #GBvsMIN pic.twitter.com/V6jot3JjtR

— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2021

This wasn't just a nice rivalry win for the 5-5 Vikings. It also pulled them to within 2.5 games in the NFC North behind the 8-3 Packers. It was key for the Vikings in the wild-card race, keeping them in the running in what has become a jumbled group of teams in the loaded NFC. 

The Vikings are now 4-5 in games decided by eight points or less. They'll need to keep winning matchups like this if they're going to sneak into the playoffs. 

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Key Stats

Kirk Cousins, MIN: 24-of-35 for 341 yards and three touchdowns

Justin Jefferson, MIN: Eight catches for 169 yards and two scores

Dalvin Cook, MIN: 22 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown; three receptions for 29 yards

Aaron Rodgers, GB: 23-of-33 for 385 yards and four scores

Davante Adams, GB: Seven catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns

AJ Dillon, GB: 11 carries for 53 yards; six catches for 44 yards

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Justin Jefferson Is A Cheat Code

It's easy to forget that Justin Jefferson is only in his second season. He just has a savvy veteran's knack for making big plays for the Minnesota offense. 

Look no further than his two touchdowns Sunday:

It's Griddy time in Minnesota.@Vikings lead 23-10. #SKOL

📺: #GBvsMIN on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/FclvoeqbCW

— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2021

Justin Jefferson is just so good.

— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) November 21, 2021

I would run through a wall for Justin Jefferson

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 21, 2021

Oh, and he set up a Dalvin Cook one-yard plunge in the first quarter too:

Justin Jefferson hauls in the deep ball and takes it down to the 1 😤

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/5DoFD3MUeM

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 21, 2021

The dude is special. The Vikings found themselves a superstar. 

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Davante Adams Isn't A Popular Guy In Minnesota

Throughout his career, Adams has terrorized the Vikings. In fact, no other receiver in NFL history has torched the Vikings quite like Adams, who set a record with his first touchdown reception Sunday:

.@AaronRodgers12 finds @tae15adams in the end zone!

TOUCHDOWN 🙌#GBvsMIN | #GoPackGo

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/6A1ZG3IQcm

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 21, 2021

With that 11th TD catch by Davante Adams, he now has the most by any NFL player against the #Vikings.

— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) November 21, 2021

And then, for good measure, he added a second:

Go head @tae15adams 🔥

Two TD day for the @packers WR! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/xS4uJWlHtv

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 21, 2021

Might wanna cover Davante Adams.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 21, 2021

Davante Adams now has seven TD catches in his last three games against the Vikings.

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 21, 2021

Adams remains one of the top wideouts in football and Rodgers' favorite target. In Minnesota, however, he's persona non grata. And for good reason.

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What's Next?

The Packers face one of their tougher tests of the season when they host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox. The Vikings will travel to San Francisco when they play that same date and time, also on Fox.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is believed to have suffered bruised ribs during Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Adam Schefter of ESPN later reported that initial tests did not reveal any broken ribs.

Rapoport and Schefter each noted Fields will undergo more tests Monday.

Fields was injured on a scramble during the first drive of the third quarter in the Week 11 game. He was 4-of-11 for 79 passing yards before being ruled out.

Any serious injury to Fields would be a worst-case scenario for the Bears this season considering they likely aren't realistic contenders and are hoping the Ohio State product becomes the franchise quarterback they have been missing for so many years.

It looked like his health would be a concern as soon as he made his first start in Week 3 behind a porous offensive line. The Cleveland Browns sacked him nine times in a blowout that left him little chance to do anything, and he underwent precautionary X-rays on his hand after the loss.

Fields entered the day with 1,282 passing yards and four passing touchdowns with eight interceptions in his debut season.

While the rookie is the long-term quarterback in Chicago, the team can still turn to veteran Andy Dalton in the meantime should Fields be sidelined.

Unfortunately for Fields, he will not have a full week to try to recover before the next game, as Chicago will face the Detroit Lions on Thursday.

The Green Bay Packers are reportedly hopeful Aaron Rodgers' toe injury will improve during the team's Week 13 bye. 

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the "painful" injury kept Rodgers limited to 15 reps during practice Friday. 

Rodgers was hurt at some point during his COVID-19 quarantine but returned to the lineup last week against the Seattle Seahawks. He went 23-of-37 passing for 292 yards and an interception in the 17-0 win.

The reigning NFL MVP previously missed one game because of a COVID-19 diagnosis. Jordan Love threw for 190 yards and a touchdown and an interception in a 13-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The Packers are a Super Bowl contender with a healthy Rodgers, getting off to a 7-1 start before repeated derailings of his health status in the second half of the season.

The team will be without running back Aaron Jones this week due to a sprained MCL. 

Justin Fields' rookie season has seen some incredible lows, but the Chicago Bears quarterback is starting to put things together.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network spoke to people connected to the Bears, who praised Fields' development over his last few games—particularly in clutch situations.

"When he's in the game in that moment, guys just feel something good is about to happen," one source said. "Then when he has those moments in back-to-back weeks, it's like, 'Holy (cow). This is awesome.' And the whole team feels it, too."

Fields has thrown for 1,282 yards and four touchdowns against eight interceptions this season, leading the Bears to a 2-5 record in his starts. He ranks at or near the bottom in every major quarterback metric thanks to some particularly dreadful starts at the beginning of his time as a starter.

The Ohio State product has improved recently in large part because of an increased workload as a runner. He has at least 38 yards rushing in each of his last four starts.

Bears players have reportedly fed off Fields' increasing confidence, and the team appears motivated for a strong second half coming off a Week 10 bye. The Bears host a Baltimore Ravens team Sunday that could be without Lamar Jackson, who is dealing with an undisclosed non-COVID illness.

Chicago then has a quick turnaround for a Thanksgiving game against the winless Lions.