NFL Analysis
12/22/24
7 min read
NFC North Is NFL's Best Division, and It's Not Even Close
There's no debate this season for the NFL's best division, as the NFC North continues to dominate the rest of its competition.
After wins by the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, the top three teams in the division now have a combined record of 36-8. Four of those eight losses have come against other teams in the NFC North, with all three of the top teams essentially already locked into playoff berths.
Even the Chicago Bears showed potential earlier this year before cleaning house with Shane Waldron and Matt Eberflus. Their season may have fallen apart during the last couple of months, but their long-term outlook is a lot better than that of other teams in last in their respective divisions.
The NFC North is elite this year, with each of the teams in the division bringing their own unique style and strengths.
Detroit's Super Bowl Aspirations 
Injuries have become the top narrative surrounding the Detroit Lions, but they still control their destiny to get the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
A 13-2 record would have the Lions comfortable with a first-round bye in most seasons, but they're in the middle of a three-way battle with the Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles, with just two games remaining for each team.
While the rest of the league waits for Detroit to implode from injuries, the Lions don't seem deterred at all. They were the No. 2 team in total DVOA heading into Week 16, with top-five rankings in offense, defense, and special teams.
Jared Goff continues to lead an efficient offense, while Jahmyr Gibbs provides a spark on the ground. The offense seems to be having fun at all times, including on this trick play where Goff and Gibbs appeared to botch a handoff, leading to a wide-open Sam LaPorta for a touchdown.
We told ya he's an athlete 😉#ProBowlVote | @JaredGoff16 | @samlaporta pic.twitter.com/Fx4NZvBrGE
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 22, 2024
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the most sought-after head coaching candidate in the league, and he keeps dialing up all kinds of creative ways to get Detroit into the end zone.
This may be a team with more pronounced flaws due to all of the injuries, but they don't look like a team playing timid heading into the late-season stretch.
Minnesota's Miraculous Season
This season could have gone a lot differently for the Vikings after first-round QB J.J. McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus in the preseason. Instead, journeyman veteran Sam Darnold has led the Vikings to a 12-3 record with a first-round bye in their sights.
Darnold's career year will put him in a great position to get paid this offseason. He's now thrown for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just 11 interceptions, shattering his previous career-high marks. His presence has completely unlocked the offense, allowing Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to cook through the air while Aaron Jones takes care of things on the ground.
Darnold's toughness has really stood out this season. After rolling his ankle on a big hit in the fourth quarter, he fought through it to deliver what would be the game-winning touchdown on this deep shot to Jefferson.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 22, 2024
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores continues to be aggressive on the other side of the ball. While that can lead to feast-or-famine results, it has the Vikings near the top of the league with 30 takeaways, 44 sacks, and the second-ranked defense by DVOA.
Kevin O'Connell deserves Coach of the Year consideration for his team's performance this year, but they have some tough matchups against the Packers and Lions remaining to try and steal a division title and the No. 1 seed.
If that doesn't happen, then the Vikings will be in a position to have the best record for a wild-card team in NFL history, beating out the 13-3 Tennessee Titans from 1999.
Don't Sleep on Green Bay
While the Lions and Vikings fight for a first-round bye, the Green Bay Packers are playing their best football at the perfect time for a deep playoff run.
Things looked like a work in progress earlier this season. Jordan Love was struggling to stay healthy, and new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was still trying to implement his new defensive philosophy for a unit that had struggled so much with Joe Barry running the ship.
Now, the Packers are firing on all cylinders, coming off the heels of a statement 30-13 win against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. Love is dominating with a 119.5 passer rating during the last five games, throwing eight touchdowns and just one interception after leading the league in INTs earlier in the year.
However, it's the new faces in 2024 that have the Packers looking like Super Bowl contenders. Josh Jacobs had big shoes to fill by replacing a fan favorite in Aaron Jones this offseason. He's done that and more, running for 1,147 yards and 12 touchdowns through 14 games.
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 27, 2024
Defensively, Xaiver McKinney has played like an All-Pro safety with a league-leading seven interceptions. As an organization that rarely takes swings in free agency, McKinney and Jacobs have been massive upgrades.
Even rookie LB Edgerrin Cooper is starting to emerge as a future star. He's earned NFC Defensive Player of the Year honors twice this season, racking up 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception.
This team has found its identity in recent weeks, and that will make it a tough out once the playoffs begin. They won't compete for a divisional title, but with three games remaining, they can potentially move up or down the wild-card standings.
Is Chicago Next Up?
Don't let the record fool you. The Bears still have enough young talent to turn things around in the not-so-distant future.
After a 4-2 start to the season, the Bears have lost nine straight games to fall to 4-11. While the vibes have completely plummeted, there's hope this offseason based on how the 2025 NFL Draft goes and who they decide to hire to replace Eberflus as head coach.
That's not to say that everything has been bad. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams has shown flashes of brilliance and has set multiple franchise records for a rookie quarterback, including passing yards and touchdowns.
He may have had his best game as a pro on Sunday, throwing for 334 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 22, 2024
Williams is clearly a good enough quarterback to build around, but success won't happen overnight, especially in such a competitive division. However, with the right coaching staff in place, this team could take big strides forward in 2025.
