Packers: NFC North remains close entering Week 6
The NFC North couldn’t be much closer entering Week 6.
The Green Bay Packers’ Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions potentially saved the Lions’ season, keeping them in the NFC North race.
Detroit and Minnesota picked up victories, while Chicago was on bye.
Let’s take a look at the NFC North standings.
1. Chicago Bears (3-1)
The biggest winners in the division this week were the Chicago Bears, who remain in first place despite not playing. They are the only team in the NFC North with three victories to their name.
Up next is a road trip to Miami, a game the Bears should be expected to win. But a loss would put them 3-2 entering a game with the Patriots.
2. Green Bay Packers (2-2-1)
It’s not been an ideal start for the Packers, who are now 1-1-1 in the division. More concerning for the Packers is their schedule after the Week 7 bye.
Green Bay will play four road games in five weeks, against the LA Rams, New England, Seattle and Minnesota. The Seahawks game is on a short week. Not ideal.
A loss next Monday night against the 49ers would put them in a bad position ahead of such a tough stretch of games.
3. Minnesota Vikings (2-2-1)
The Vikings, too, have been far more inconsistent than we expected before the season. But they’ve bounced back from a surprising loss to Buffalo well, putting in a good performance last week against the Rams, and now defeating the Super Bowl champions on the road.
Minnesota has had a tough run of games, and the schedule eases up in the coming weeks with three of the next four being played at home.
The Vikings host the Cardinals in Week 6.
4. Detroit Lions (2-3)
The Lions have beaten the Patriots and Packers but lost their other three, just as everyone predicted. So far, Detroit has been far too inconsistent to consider serious playoff contenders.
The Lions did pick up an important divisional victory on Sunday, and if they can put together a run of wins they’ll be right in the mix for a playoff spot.
But with three defeats to their name already, Detroit still has a mountain to climb when you consider the schedule.
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The Lions still have two games against the Vikings and Bears, play at Lambeau late in the year and also host the Rams and Panthers.