The NFC North had an argument to be the best division in the NFL entering the 2026 season. After two weeks, none of the division's four teams has instilled much confidence in its fan base.
The Chicago Bears are fighting off panic after a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in which Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury, while the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions both have obvious weaknesses threatening to derail their seasons.
Through two weeks of regular-season action, here's how things stand in the division.
NFC North power rankings entering Week 3
Week 2 results:
- Lions lose to Bills 41-31
- Vikings beat Bears 9-3
- Packers beat Jets 20-17 (OT)
1. Minnesota Vikings
Who would have predicted that the Vikings would be the only undefeated team in the NFC North through two weeks, and that they would do it with Carson Wentz as their quarterback? Minnesota's win over Chicago was a rainy, injury-influenced mess that may not be an accurate measuring stick in the long run, but their 2-0 record in the division is impossible to ignore.
While the offense still hasn't come together, Brian Flores' defense shut down a dangerous Bears passing attack in Week 2. Flores has blitzed at a 75% clip so far, while the next-highest rate is just 48.1%. That style of play may not be sustainable throughout the season, but it has given the Vikings an early advantage in the NFC North.
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 27th @ Buccaneers
2. Chicago Bears
Per Tom Pelissero, Williams isn't expected to miss extended time with his hamstring injury. He may even be back for Chicago's Week 3 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Even before Williams went down, though, the Bears' offense lacked the explosiveness that it showed in Week 1. Nobody expected Chicago to score 59 points again, but the unit couldn't get anything going against Flores. According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, the week-to-week scoring dip was the second-largest in league history from Week 1 to Week 2, and the largest in over 50 years.
Next game: Monday, Sept. 28th vs. Eagles
3. Detroit Lions
If you combine the first half of the Lions' Week 1 win with the second half of their Week 2 loss, Detroit has a combined score of 42-14. They haven't been able to put complete games together, though, and currently sit at 1-1. Their Thursday night matchup with the Bills got out of hand early, exposing weaknesses in the secondary.
The Lions' offense may be one of the top units in the NFL, but it won't matter if the defense can't keep up.
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 27th vs. Jets
4. Green Bay Packers
The Packers barely escaped Week 2 with an overtime win over the Jets. They didn't ease any of the concerns their Week 1 loss created, especially on offense. Without an effective running game, Matt LaFleur's unit can't generate any consistency.
Read more: Ben Johnson's update on Caleb Williams sets real expectations for Bears fans
They have an obvious opportunity to reassert themselves as a threat in the division with what should be a dominant win over the Falcons on Thursday night, but this Packers team is reeling after two weeks.
Next game: Thursday, Sept. 24th vs. Falcons
Add us as a preferred source on Google