While the NFC North has been considered one of the weaker divisions in the 2023-2024 NFL season, Week 14 affected each team in a different way. Both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions lost in shocking upsets, while the Vikings and Bears hope to pull off Cinderella stories and make the postseason. It will certainly be an exciting finish for which team wins the North.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears improved to 5-8 after they dismantled the Detroit Lions in Soldier Field by a score of 28-13. While it has been a disappointing season for the Bears, they seem to be heating up at the right time. Quarterback Justin Fields impressed yet again for Chicago on Sunday. The dual-threat QB both passed for a touchdown and ran a touchdown in while tallying 281 total yards (223 passing, 58 rushing). Winning out for Chicago is not completely out of the picture, to which they could possibly finish at a solid 9-8 record. Their opponents in the final weeks of the season are:
@ Cleveland Browns (8-5)
VS. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
VS. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
@ Green Bay Packers (6-7)
With the Browns’ QB situation having an iffy status, an upset in Cleveland isn’t impossible. Facing both the Falcons and Cardinals at home are two favourable matchups. Closing out the year with a divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field is what these players live for. If the Chicago Bears can continue building off of this 2-game win streak and win out, it is a high probability they make the postseason.
Detroit Lions
Well, you can’t win ‘em all. The Detroit Lions got walloped in Soldier Field on Sunday against Chicago. The Lions now stand at 9-4 on the season after the loss. The defence continued its atrocious season, giving up 28 points to the 20th-ranked offence in points-per-game. QB Jared Goff had three turnovers as well, including two interceptions on 4th down. The running game, led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, continued dominating, with both running backs tallying 66 yards on the ground each. The Lions will hope to get C Frank Ragnow back next week to beef up a struggling offensive line.
The Lions are on the verge of their first division title in nearly 30 years. They’ll have to fix these problems immediately in order to secure the division and make a deep run in the postseason. Their final 4 games are as follows:
VS. Denver Broncos (7-6)
@ Minnesota Vikings (7-6)
@ Dallas Cowboys (10-3)
VS. Minnesota Vikings (7-6)
This schedule is definitely not very favourable, which is a nightmare in such a tight division race. With each team left on the schedule having a winning record, this will be a huge test on the legitimacy of the 2023 Detroit Lions.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers lost to the then 4-8 New York Giants on Monday Night Football by a score of 24-22. This loss took the Packers to 6-7, to which they still hold a playoff position by way of the 3rd Wild Card spot. However, Green Bay has the same record as 5 other NFC teams, meaning that they will have to outplay plenty of competition to make the playoffs. QB Jordan Love tallied 2 turnovers on Monday night, including an interception downfield that was seemingly underthrown. They lost the turnover battle against New York, and that was the difference in this game.
Green Bay’s final 4 contests are heavily favourable. They include:
VS. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
@ Carolina Panthers (1-12)
@ Minnesota Vikings (7-6)
VS. Chicago Bears (5-8)
These 4 teams combine for a 19-33 (.365 win%) and the Packers and Jordan Love will have to win out to ensure their presence in the postseason.
Minnesota Vikings
No QB, no problem! The Minnesota Vikings won a 3-0 game over the Las Vegas Raiders in a defensive showdown. QB Josh Dobbs was benched in the fourth quarter in favour of Nick Mullens. Mullens led a 4th quarter drive that resulted in a field goal. That field goal was all Minnesota would need in the defensive contest. Minnesota improved to 7-6 and stands alone in that 2nd Wild Card spot in the NFC.
The defence forced 3 turnovers for the Raiders’ offence and tallied 4 sacks. The defence was led by UDFA Ivan Pace and Swiss Army Knife Josh Metellus. Pace had a career day, recording 13 total tackles, an interception, and a sack. Metellus also had another solid day, tallying 7 total tackles and a forced fumble. Metellus continues to be one of the most underrated defensive players in the NFL.
Minnesota’s final 4 games are against the following teams:
@ Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
VS. Detroit Lions (9-4)
VS. Green Bay Packers (6-7)
@ Detroit Lions (9-4)
The Vikings have a challenging finish to the season with three divisional matchups and three contests against teams with winning records. With Minnesota being only 2 games back from the NFC North lead, they have a great shot at winning back-to-back NFC North titles.
Conclusion
It’s December and none of the NFC North teams have been eliminated yet. Each team is right in the thick of things and knows what they must do to make the playoffs. The Bears have a favourable schedule to end the year, along with the Green Bay Packers. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings, with their quarterback situation being relatively inconsistent, will be heavily tested. The Detroit Lions may be at the top of the division, they can easily fall flat on their faces if their struggles continue. Either way, it is likely to be an exhilarating finish to the NFC North contest.