So much for the Vikings getting some help in the NFC North while sitting idle. As they rested at home during their bye week last week, the Lions, Packers and Bears all won their respective games by wide margins.
It was the latest example of how good the NFC North has been from top to bottom so far this season. Not only has it been the best division in the NFL through a month and a half, it’s on track to be the best division the NFL has seen in more than 20 years.
The numbers speak for themselves.
This is the first time since 2002 that all four teams in the same division have at least four wins through six weeks. This is also the first time since 1942 that the top four teams in point differential — Vikings (+61), Lions (+60), Bears (+47), and Packers (+41) — have come from the same division at the same time.
Fittingly, the Vikings and ions play each other on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Let’s break down the NFC North’s dominance.
Vikings (5-0)
Week 1: Vikings 28, Giants 6
Week 2: Vikings 23, 49ers 17
Week 3: Vikings 34, Texans 7
Week 4: Vikings 31, Packers 29
Week 5: Vikings 23, Jets 17
Week 6: Bye week
Analysis: After entering this season with no expectations from the outside world — something head coach Kevin O’Connell has very much tried to lean into — the Vikings now have everybody’s attention. They are off to a perfect 5-0 start and have proven themselves as a legitimate contender in the NFL largely because of how well they are playing on both sides of the ball. The offense has performed at a high level as O’Connell has helped veteran quarterback Sam Darnold take the next step in his career. He has been aided by veteran running back Aaron Jones, superstar receiver Justin Jefferson, and a handful of other players who have consistently risen to the occasion. The defense has been maybe even more impressive as it has established itself as a force to be reckoned with on a weekly basis. There are playmakers at every level with defensive coordinator Brian Flores pulling all the right strings to make everything work. The resume for the Vikings is already pretty impressive and can be bolstered even more with a win over the Lions this weekend.
Lions (4-1)
Week 1: Lions 26, Rams 20 (OT)
Week 2: Buccaneers 20, Lions 16
Week 3: Lions 20, Cardinals 13
Week 4: Lions 42, Seahawks 29
Week 5: Bye week
Week 6: Lions 47, Cowboys 9
Analysis: After a slow start to this season by their new standard, the Lions have hit the gas over the past few weeks. Taking on the persona of head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have become arguably the most physical team in the NFL on both sides of the ball. That was on full display as the Lions manhandled the Cowboys in every phase of the game last weekend. The offense is led by veteran quarterback Jared Goff and can win with power in the trenches or speed on the outside. The weapons at Goff’s disposal include running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, receivers Amon Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta. The defense suffered a significant blow last weekend when star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a gruesome leg injury that will keep him out for the foreseeable future.
Packers (4-2)
Week 1: Eagles 34, Packers 29
Week 2: Packers 16, Colts 10
Week 3: Packers 30, Titans 14
Week 4: Vikings 31, Packers 29
Week 5: Packers 24, Rams 19
Week 6: Packers 34, Cardinals 13
Analysis: The job that head coach Matt LaFleur has done this season shouldn’t be overlooked. After franchise quarterback Jordan Love suffered a knee injury that knocked him out for a couple of weeks, LaFleur devised a game plan that allowed the Packers to thrive with backup quarterback Malik Willis. As a result, the Packers were able to bank a pair of wins with Willis at the helm, which helped them keep their head above water until Love was ready to return. Though he had some rust in the loss to the Vikings a couple of weeks ago, Love has regained his form as of late, and the Packers are rolling heading into an important matchup with the Texans this weekend. The addition of defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has also been crucial as the Packers currently lead the NFL with 17 takeaways.
Bears (4-2)
Week 1: Bears 24, Titans 17
Week 2: Texans 19, Bears 13
Week 3: Colts 21, Bears 16
Week 4: Bears 24, Rams 18
Week 5: Bears 36, Panthers 10
Week 6: Bears 35, Jaguars 16
Analysis: The haters will say that the Bears haven’t really beaten anybody of consequence yet. That said, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has found his stride over the past few weeks, showcasing the attributes that made him the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. His emergence is the biggest reason the Bears have started to look the part of a rising team in the NFL. There have also been major contributions on the other side of the ball as the defense has done its part to make life miserable on opposing teams. It will be interesting to see if the Bears can continue to progress at a rapid rate against some tougher competition. Especially when they have to go head to head with the rest of the division — the Vikings, Lions and Packers.
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