Week 1 of the 2024 NFL Season is in the books, and the NFC North division became much more compelling after the injury to Jordan Love against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night.
Love suffered an MCL sprain during the closing seconds of their loss to the Eagles on Friday, an injury that will keep the Packers' quarterback sidelined for 3-6 weeks. Love and the success he had toward the end of the 2023 season were a large part of the reason why the Packers were believed to be right up there with the Detroit Lions in terms of being the best team in the NFC North.
After the first week of the season, with Love potentially sidelined until the middle of October, that changes the outlook of our NFC North Power Rankings.
NFC North Power Rankings Week 2
1. Detroit Lions (Last Week: 1)
Week 1 Result: Win against Los Angeles Rams, 26-20
If there was any doubt that the Detroit Lions weren't ready to defend their NFC North crown, it was erased on Sunday night in their game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Even more concerning for the Bears is that the Lions may have unlocked another offensive threat. In their overtime victory over the Rams on Sunday, wide receiver Jameson Williams totaled 121 receiving yards and 1 touchdown on 5 receptions. When the Lions selected Williams in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the offensive outburst they saw on Sunday was the expectation. Injuries and a gambling suspension had previously stunted that development but Williams could be the difference maker for the Lions this season.
2. Chicago Bears (3)
Week 1 result: Win against Tennessee Titans, 24-17
A win is a win and that is all that matters for the Chicago Bears. Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans speaks to how well the team is constructed around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. There are concerns, the center play to be more specific, but despite the struggles of Williams in his rookie debut, the Bears found a way to get the victory.
The victory was due to the Bears' defense taking over the game during the second half, forcing multiple turnovers by Titans' second-year quarterback Will Levis. In order for the Bears to maintain their ranking among the top two teams in the NFC North, Williams will need to accelerate the development in the weeks ahead but Sunday's defensive effort was special. If that is the defense that the Bears have consistently this season, the team will be in the playoffs.
3. Minnesota Vikings (4)
Week 1 result: Win against New York Giants, 28-6
The success that Sam Darnold had during his first start with the Minnesota Vikings has been one of the prevailing talking points of Week 1. Darnold completed 19 of his 24 pass attempts for a total of 208 yards and 2 passing touchdowns. It has many thinking that Darnold and the Vikings will be the 2024 version of Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.
Darnold becoming a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year seems like one of the biggest overreactions of the first week of the season. That is not to take away from the success he had against the Giants but New York is shaping up to be one of the biggest disappointments of the 2024 season.
4. Green Bay Packers (2)
Week 1 result: Loss against Philadelphia Eagles, 34-29
This is where the Jordan Love injury becomes a huge factor. Sure, Love was healthy for all but two plays during their loss to the Eagles on Friday night but the game proved that the Eagles and Packers could be trending toward the top of the NFC this season.
The issue for the Packers now becomes how quickly can Love return. Malik Willis was acquired by the Packers at the end of the preseason to be Love's backup but there likely wasn't a scenario where the Packers were looking to turn to the former Titans' quarterback to be the answer. Willis is in need of a developmental year, which is why there were reasons to like the Packers making a move for him. But, as a starting quarterback, Willis is too raw to steady ship while Love is sidelined.