NFC North CHAOS: NFL Chairman Roger Goodell Takes a Brutal Decision on Packers, Vikings and Lions War With an Official Statement

The NFC North is still the best division in football by a large margin. All four teams are in playoff position.

The Green Bay Packers won big over the Houston Texans, who had only lost once entering Week 7.

Within the division, the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions faced off at U.S. Bank Stadium, with the reigning champion Lions breaking the Vikings’ unbeaten streak with a two-point win. The Chicago Bears relished watching the drama unfold during their bye week.

The NFC North now has three five-win teams, with the Bears on four. It’s a true four-team race, and the thrill has only just begun.

How did Week 7’s results affect our NFC North power rankings?

NFC North power rankings after Week 7: Lions lead in wide-open race

4. Chicago Bears (4-2).

The Bears, who had won three consecutive games, will have felt very good about their status while on bye. However, just like the Vikings last week, they had to sit and watch other NFC North teams win big.

 

Chicago plays the Washington Commanders this week, and a stretch of five divisional games in six weeks is just around the corner.

3. Minnesota Vikings (5-1).

Despite their loss to the Lions, the Vikings have had a strong start to the season and have proven to be NFC North contenders. However, they’ve lost all momentum. They laboured late in a win against the New York Jets in London, then were on bye for a week before losing a divisional home game.

Minnesota had opportunities to seal the victory, but Brian Flores’ defence struggled to contain Detroit’s powerful offence, giving up 391 total yards and seven yards per play. The Lions scored more touchdowns than Jared Goff did incompletions. This week, the Vikings will play a big game against the Los Angeles Rams.

2. Green Bay Packers (5-2).

The Packers are finding ways to win games even when they aren’t playing their best. Despite turning the ball over three times and struggling to find an offensive rhythm for much of the game, they upset one of the top teams in the NFL.

Jeff Hafley’s defence is legit, shutting down Houston’s offence and holding C.J. Stroud to just 10 completions for 86 yards. Only 10 of the Texans’ 22 points did not come from Packers turnovers. Without small fields, the Texans were unable to accomplish anything.

Green Bay must stop making unforced errors, but the possibilities for this team are boundless.

1. Detroit Lions (5-1).

The defending NFC North champions reclaimed first place in the conference with a statement win on the road in Minnesota. Detroit’s offence is an issue. Brian Flores’ defence has shut down some of the league’s finest offences, but the Lions made it appear easy. Jared Goff completed 22 of 25 throws for 280 yards and two touchdowns, while Detroit gained 144 running yards and two more scores.

There are still worries about the Lions’ defence without Aidan Hutchinson, but Dan Campbell’s team demonstrated why they are one of the league’s best.