Prior to the seasons start, I took a look at each team’s chances to clinch the NFC North. Now, I am willing to admit when I am wrong. We are six weeks through the season, and the NFC North is shaping up to be the best division in the league. All four teams boast winning records, many with favorable schedules along the way. I will quickly look back on how each team has performed through the first six weeks. Next, I will make the case on why each team will win the NFC North, and then why each team will not win the NFC North.
The Vikings and Lions: A Quick Snapshot Through Six Weeks
The Minnesota Vikings have been my biggest surprise, starting the season 5-0 and are now coming off a bye week. Kevin O’Connell is bolstering a coach of the year campaign by resurrecting Sam Darnold’s career. Brian Flores is coordinating the league’s most impressive defense, disguising schemes and getting creative. The Vikings are exciting to watch. Through six weeks, they can make a case for being one of the top two teams in the league.
The Detroit Lions are picking up right where they left off. Ben Johnson is a major asset, and not losing him to a head coaching position is huge for the team. Dan Campbell is continuing to be the leader the team needs and making gutsy calls in key situations. Jared Goff is steady, not making huge mistakes and being smart with the ball. The offensive line play is electric. The run game is arguably the best in the league. Overall, this Lions team is continuing to be must watch television every week.
The Bears and Packers: A Quick Snapshot Through Six Weeks
The Chicago Bears are finding their rhythm and establishing an offensive identity. The beginning of the season was challenging, which is normal when you have a rookie quarterback. Caleb Williams, and other offensive leaders, apparently met with Offensive Coordinator, Shane Waldron. Since the meeting, the Bears are getting consistent and clicking on offense. The defense has been solid the entire time. Now, getting the offense on the same page has the Bears looking like a complete team.
The Green Bay Packers finally look like a team with a healthy quarterback. This week, the Packers showed up in a massive way. The coaching staff has found their best rotations on both sides of the ball, which truly showed up this week. The Packers that played against the Cardinals, looked like the dangerous team that we saw the last eight weeks of the previous season. Romeo Doubs came back from suspension with the full support and love of his teammates. With the situation resolved, the Packers can move forward and continue to play winning football.
Why the Vikings will Win the NFC North, and Why the Vikings will Not Win the NFC North
As someone who said the Vikings would finish last in the division, I am feeling pretty confident that the 5-0 Vikings will not finish last in the division. However, there is still a lot of season left. Every single year, we see teams perform unbelievably in September and October, only to falter in November and December. This is not to discount what the Vikings have done; rather it is taking a full lens view of the year. They have been remarkable thus far and deserve a ton of credit.
The Minnesota Vikings will win the NFC North because they have the best coaching duo in the league. Kevin O’Connell is a master at adapting his offensive scheme to put his quarterback in the best position to succeed. Brian Flores is a master at confusing quarterbacks with his changing defense. Making even Aaron Rodgers, a 4-time NFL MVP, who is the most seasoned quarterback in the league, incredibly flustered. Rodgers was very complimentary of Flores on the Pat McAfee show, very high praise from one of the best to ever play quarterback.
The Minnesota Vikings will not win the NFC North because if Aaron Jones cannot stay healthy, the offense will suffer. Jones is taking some of the highest snap counts of his career, and he left the game against the Jets with an injury. The Packers were comfortable letting Jones go because of his age and durability. Packers’ fans are familiar with the change in the offense when Jones is injured. If the Vikings can’t rely on Jones when they are trying to make a playoff push, it will make everyone’s jobs that much harder. Sam Darnold needs a dynamic running game to continue succeeding at quarterback.
Why the Lions will Win the NFC North, and Why the Lions will Not Win the NFC North
My main question going into this season for the Lions was pretty simple, can the Lions continue to build off their success from last year? The answer has been a resounding yes. The Lions offense continues to look unflappable. With Jameson Williams healthy, and Tim Patrick successfully replacing Josh Reynolds, the passing game looks better than ever. They continue to improve week by week and look very comfortable doing so.
The Detroit Lions will win the NFC North because they are the grittiest team in the NFL. They are not risk adverse, and most of the time, they show that risky business can win games. There is an understanding that they are no longer the hunters, but the hunted. However, this doesn’t faze them. Dan Campbell is the ultimate leader; his players buy into what he is selling and would do anything for him. I truly believe that grit, and grit alone, can take this team on a deep playoff run, and potentially land an appearance in the Super Bowl.
The Detroit Lions will not win the NFC North because the injury to Aidan Hutchinson is detrimental. The Lions secondary is already struggling, and the loss of Hutchinson can have a huge impact on the season. If the Lions don’t make a trade for a top pass rusher, the defense will look very different. For the Lions to continue their dominance, they need a plan in place to address the pass rush.
Why the Bears will Win the NFC North, and Why the Bears will Not Win the NFC North
The last time the Bears won a division title was 2018. Now, while I think it is likely too early for the Bears to win the division this year, there is still a chance. The Bears have found a system that is working for them. The past two weeks have been significantly better. Granted, they played maybe the two worst teams in the league, the Panthers and the Jaguars, they still won handily. The only thing you can control is the opponent in front of you, and the Bears beat the Panthers and Jaguars well, which is what good teams do.
The Chicago Bears will win the NFC North because for the first time in years, they may have found a quarterback. Not just an extremely talented quarterback, but also a solid leader. Teammates, coaches, and media, who have spoken with Caleb Williams, give glowing reviews. The one thing that grabs my attention every time is the way he is talked about as a leader. I believe a proven leader at quarterback has been the missing piece for the Bears. If Caleb Williams continues to grow as a leader and has his input in the way the offense is run, the Bears will be successful.
The Chicago Bears will not win the NFC North because even though they have found a quarterback, it is still Williams rookie year. Rookies traditionally go through ebbs and flows as they navigate their first season in the NFL. Williams had a shaky start, but he has improved every single week. Win or lose, you want to see your rookie quarterback improve. I also believe the Bears managing of games could kill them down the stretch, specifically Matt Eberflus’s lack of situational awareness when it comes to challenging plays.
Why the Packers will Win the NFC North, and Why the Packers will Not Win the NFC North
The Packers first season with Jordan Love under center went much better than many anticipated. However, the start of the season was how no one envisioned. Overnight, the Packers went from Super Bowl contenders, to being in limbo about the status of their star quarterback’s injury. Thankfully, Love was able to come back by week 4, and Malik Willis played effortlessly in Love’s absence. The defense is starting to find the best rotation and are generating takeaways at an insane amount. The Packers defense leads the league in takeaways with 17, after getting only 18 the entirety of the 2023 season.
The Packers will win the NFC North because Jordan Love has the highest ceiling of all the quarterbacks in the division currently. When Love hits his stride, there are not many other quarterbacks who can deliver the ball like he can. He has an array of running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends at his disposal. The depth chart for the Packers offense is so deep and talented, that they can scheme some of the most unique plays and scheme everyone open. Matt LaFleur’s creativity in his play calling is a weapon, and with Jordan Love as his leader, they are a duo that cannot be stopped.
The Packers will lose the NFC North because they must address their kicker situation. In the two games the Packers lost, they lost by a combined total of seven points. Missed field goals happened in both games. The Packers cannot waste away this season with the talent they have by not having specialists who can perform their job accurately. A kicker who can deliver in critical moments is crucial if the Packers want to make a run in the playoffs and head to the Super Bowl.
The NFC North is in Great Hands for Years to Come
No matter what happens in the NFC North this year, one thing is for certain, this division is going to be exciting for years to come. This division has outstanding general managers, coaches and players. If each team continues their current pace, all four might find themselves in the playoffs.
Competition in a close division is welcome. As many are starting to take notice of all four teams, this is a wonderful chance for each team to make a statement. The division matchups are going to be some of the best games of the year. The Packers already faced the Vikings in a close one in week 4. The next division matchup will feature the Vikings and Lions, which is looking to be a must watch. Overall, each team is poised for an entertaining season as all eyes will be paying close attention to the best division in the NFL.
