Packers maintain one-game lead at the top of the NFC North
The Green Bay Packers remain a game ahead of the Minnesota Vikings after Week 10.
The Green Bay Packers got the job done on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Carolina Panthers with a goal-line stop as time expired. The win meant the Packers improved to an overall record of 8-2 on the season, which ensured they’d remain at least one game ahead of the Minnesota Vikings at the end of the weekend.
The Packers needed some help from the Dallas Cowboys to make it a two-game cushion. But the Vikings defeated the Cowboys on the road on Sunday Night Football, winning a close one 28-24.
It’s still advantage Green Bay in the NFC North, but Minnesota’s win keeps it close. The Packers have a one-game advantage, a better divisional record and also the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Vikings as things stand, although Minnesota can level the series 1-1 later in the season.
The Chicago Bears are a long way behind despite also winning on Sunday. They improved to 4-5 with a win over the Detroit Lions. The Lions are effectively out of the race now, if they weren’t already, with a disappointing 3-5-1 record. They were also without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford in Sunday’s loss.
With the Packers on bye, the Vikings will have the opportunity to match the Packers on eight wins next week when they host the Denver Broncos. They will then have their bye, and with Green Bay taking on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, it’s entirely possible they’ll be tied at the top two weeks from now. That would set up for a fascinating final five games in December.
While a Cowboys win would’ve been preferable for the Packers, the result does have some positives. If Green Bay fails to win the NFC North, it now has a better chance of securing a wild-card berth.
Minnesota currently owns the fifth seed at 7-3, Dallas the sixth seed at 5-4. The Los Angeles Rams lost on Sunday and are also 5-4. And the Panthers losing to the Packers puts them 5-4.
A Vikings loss would’ve made it the perfect day for Green Bay, but it’s still been a good one as the team enters its bye.