Packers: NFC North power rankings ahead of Week 8
The Packers lead the NFC North power rankings.
It’s already Week 8, believe it or not. The NFC North looks to be a two-horse race between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.
If the season ended today, the Packers would secure the NFC’s top seed with the Bears earning a wild-card berth.
Here are the NFC North power rankings for Week 8:
1. Green Bay Packers (5-1)
Previous ranking: 1
And exhale. The Packers’ poor performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers proved to be an anomaly as they bounced back in emphatic fashion. A matchup with the Houston Texans sure helped.
After six games, we’ve got a good idea about this Packers team. They have a great offense, which ranks second in points per game with 32.8. The defense is OK but will struggle in tough matchups, needing the offense to carry the team.
So far, it’s led to five victories in six games, but the performance in that one defeat is a concern.
2. Chicago Bears (5-2)
Previous ranking: 2
The Bears are the opposite. Despite winning five games, they are 27th in the league in scoring offense, averaging just 19.7 points per game, worse than the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Chicago has to win on defense. Fortunately for Matt Nagy, his team’s defense is one of the best in the league, allowing 20 points per game, seventh-fewest in the NFL.
Their defense can keep them in games but the poor play from this offense could be the difference from simply making the playoffs and contending. When they match up with a team like the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night and fall behind, they’re in trouble.
3. Detroit Lions (3-3)
Previous ranking: 4
All of a sudden, the Lions have won two out of their past three and are back in the mix. A favorable schedule awaits the Lions with games against the Vikings, Washington Football Team, Carolina Panthers, and Houston Texans to come.
Here’s the problem for the Lions: they aren’t great in any one area. Detroit ranks 20th in passing offense and 18th in rushing offense. The Lions are averaging 26 points per game, good for 15th.
On defense, they are 20th against the pass and 26th against the run. They are allowing 27.5 points per game, 20th in the NFL. They’ve only made eight sacks and forced seven turnovers.
They’ve won some games and their upcoming schedule helps, but there’s nothing about this Lions team that looks ready to make a serious playoff push.
4. Minnesota Vikings (1-5)
Previous ranking: 3
It’s all over for the Vikings this season, and one has to wonder whether the Mike Zimmer era will come to an end in the near future. Trading away star pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue, just a couple of months after trading for him, is a clear sign they’ve given up on the season and have started to look to the future.
With a defense allowing 32 points per game, third-worst in the NFL, it’s going to be a long season for the Vikings.