The NFC North is an absolute drama right now. Three teams—the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers—are in a heated race for the top spot, while the Bears… well, let’s just say they’re along for the ride. Every game feels like it’s life or death, and with tiebreakers looming, the stakes are sky-high.
Who’s got the edge? Who’s at risk of falling short? Let’s break it all down, one twist and turn at a time.
3. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions (11-1) sit atop the NFC North and control their destiny. Undefeated in divisional games, they have the clearest path to the title. A win against the Green Bay Packers this Thursday clinched Detroit a playoff spot.
Lions beat Packers 34-31 Is Detroit too aggressive? | Breakfast Ball: https://t.co/HT9OZE3Q9x
— leaguecrawler 🦎 (@leaguecrawler) December 6, 2024
However, Detroit’s schedule is no cakewalk. They still face tough opponents like the Bills, 49ers, and Vikings. Even if they lose to Green Bay, the Lions hold the next tiebreaker—a divisional record—with just one NFC North loss compared to the Packers’ two.
The Lions’ biggest challenge lies in sustaining their dominance while fending off a surging Minnesota team. If Detroit and Minnesota enter their Week 18 showdown tied, the division crown could come down to that game.
2. Minnesota Vikings
At 10-2, the Minnesota Vikings are in second place and still have a shot at both a playoff berth and the NFC North title. They can secure a playoff spot this week with a win and losses by the Cardinals and Rams. But winning the division requires more than watching the scoreboard.
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Minnesota lost their first matchup with Detroit, so they need the Lions to drop at least one more game to control their destiny. If the two teams are tied heading into Week 18, the Vikings could take the division with a win. However, if they trail by one game, they’ll need to win and finish with a better divisional record to leapfrog Detroit.
The Vikings have a slightly easier non-divisional schedule than the Lions, with games against the Falcons and Seahawks. However, their earlier loss to the Rams—a team the Lions beat—hurts their standing in tiebreakers against common opponents.
Also Read: Detroit Lions Sign 3x All-Pro Superstar To Help Them On Their Super Bowl Run
1. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers (9-4) are on the outside looking in, needing a mix of wins and help to claim the NFC North. Already down 0-2 in head-to-head matchups against the Lions and 0-1 against the Vikings, the Packers must win their remaining divisional games to stay alive.
The Packers’ loss against the Lions on Thursday was monumental, ruining their chance to split the head-to-head tiebreaker. To keep pace, they need to beat the Vikings somehow in their next meeting. Even then, Green Bay’s fate would hinge on finishing with a superior divisional record.
The Packers’ non-divisional schedule isn’t easy, with the Seahawks and Saints looming. But they hold an edge in one quirky tiebreaker scenario: if divisional and common opponent records are tied, their strength of victory could come into play.
Tiebreaker Scenarios
Things get messy if the Lions, Vikings, and the Packers somehow end up tied in overall and divisional records. The next tiebreaker is the record against common opponents. Here’s where it gets tricky:
- The Bears Factor: All three contenders could sweep or split their matchups against Chicago, neutralizing this tiebreaker.
- The Rams Issue: Minnesota’s loss to the Rams eliminates them in this scenario since Detroit and Green Bay both beat the Rams.
- The 49ers Wildcard: If Detroit loses to the 49ers, a team Green Bay has already beaten, the Packers could claim the division.
If these records still don’t separate the Lions and Packers, the fifth tiebreaker—strength of victory—decides the title. In that case, expect calculators to get a workout.
NFC North Standings
- Lions: 12-1 (5-0 divisional)
- Vikings: 10-2 (3-1 divisional)
- Packers: 9-4 (2-3 divisional)
- Bears: 4-8 (0-4 divisional)
Also Read: Have The Detroit Lions Ever Won A Super Bowl? Here’s What You Need To Know
