No matter how many statement wins the Chicago Bears deliver, those pesky Minnesota Vikings seem to always stay just out of reach. Even after an electric win over the New England Patriots, the Bears are still a game and a half behind in the race for the NFC North title.
The rest of the division isn't letting up, either. While they both have their faults, the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are still very much in contention for the top spot.
After seven weeks of regular-season football, here's how things stand in the NFC North.
NFC North power rankings after Week 7
Week 7 results:
- Bears beat Patriots 30-24
- Vikings beat Colts 16-10
- Lions beat Packers 20-17
1. Minnesota Vikings
None of the Vikings' wins have been particularly impressive this season, but we can't place an undefeated team anywhere but at the top. Kyler Murray is playing like an average NFL quarterback, and with Brian Flores' wizardry on defense, that's all Minnesota needs to be a contender.
The Vikings' Week 8 battle with the Lions should be telling. If they come out on top in that divisional clash, they might just be able to maintain their lead for the rest of the season.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 1st @ Lions
2. Chicago Bears
If you ignore the two games in which it fell flat on its face, the Bears' offense has been one of the most dynamic units in the NFL this year. Assuming Caleb Williams can keep up his current pace, Ben Johnson's group will finish in elite territory.
The real surprise has been Dennis Allen's defense, which has managed average play despite glaring holes at multiple positions.
Next game: Monday, Nov. 2nd @ Seahawks
3. Detroit Lions
With their win over the Packers on Sunday, the Lions drew within half a game of the Bears for the second spot in the division. Jared Goff has been dialed in all year, and now that Detroit is getting healthier on defense, it could be poised for a strong late-season run.
If they can topple the Vikings in Week 8, the Lions will become a real threat to win the NFC North for the third time in five years.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 1st vs. Vikings
4. Green Bay Packers
The Packers seemed to be gearing up for a midseason tear heading into Week 7. Their offense had been clicking, Josh Jacobs was getting back into the lineup, and Micah Parsons' return seemed to be on the horizon.
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Instead, they fell flat against the Lions and dropped to 4-3. The Packers are still very much in playoff contention, but they need to iron out their consistency issues before the season slips away from them.
Next game: Thursday, Oct. 29th vs. Panthers
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