Detroit 23, Tampa Bay 16

It was a surreal game at Ford Field on Sunday. A hot Buccaneer team dominated time of possession, first downs and total yardage, yet found a way to lose. The Bucs only scored 16 points, mostly because of two fumbles by quarterback Jeff Garcia.

The Lions defense made the game physical, pressuring Garcia all day, but the two fumbles that cost Tampa Bay the game were results of bizarre errors. There were also several fights that broke out on the field, a blocked punt and a newfound commitment to the run. It just looks weird when the Lions win games using the run and improved defense. However they do it, the Lions are now 4-2, nipping at the heels of the Packers in the hunt for the playoffs.

Minnesota 14, Dallas 24

There are only two teams that can stop Dallas: New England, as was shown in resounding fashion last week, and Dallas. The Cowboys had to play well to overcome the gross situations they put themselves in after three fumbles and a shanked field goal at home against the Vikings on Sunday. The Cowboys dominated Minnesota on paper in the first half, but Dallas was still down by a touchdown going into the locker room. After tying up the game in the third, Cowboy Chris Canty blocked a Vikings field goal attempt and Pat Watkins ran it back 67 yards for the go-ahead score.

Minnesota had a good first drive, capped off with a 20-yard run from star back Adrian Peterson. But “All Day” was held back from living up to his nickname, not by the Cowboys defense but by Vikings head coach Brad Childress, who only called his number eight times after that.

This game brings confidence back to a Dallas team that struggled last week, but they need to watch out for the New York Giants. The Big Blue have won five straight and are coming up fast in the competitive NFC East. For the Vikings, this loss and the Bears’ win over the Eagles puts them last in the North, but it’s an unpredictable division with a lot of football still to be played.

Chicago 19, Philadelphia 16

In this tough defensive battle the Bears won a possible season-saver on the arm of a mediocre quarterback. I was wrong about Brian Griese. He had a slow start, but his 314 yards passing and clutch throws in the last minute won this game for Chicago. Running back Cedric Benson’s performance was better than usual, but certainly not game-changing. No one is stupid enough to kick to Devin Hester anymore, but his mere presence on returns gave the Bears good field position by forcing Philly to kick the ball short every time.

The Eagle’s stagnant offensive effort in the red zone determined this game more than anything else. Philadelphia settled for field goals after three strong drives deep into Chicago territory, keeping them from pulling away early. Before Sunday, the Bears hadn’t beaten the Eagles in 12 years, but the Philly team out there today was not the NFC East powerhouse of recent years. This game brought Chicago’s record to 3-4, leaving them still alive in the NFC North.