Packers: NFC North power rankings ahead of Week 16

Green Bay Packers (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The Packers still lead the way.

The NFC North remains the Green Bay Packers‘ division, but there’s still an opportunity for this division to send two teams to the postseason.

With two games to go, the Packers’ focus is on the NFC’s top seed, while the Chicago Bears aim to secure a wild-card berth.

Let’s take a look at the latest power rankings for the NFC North ahead of Week 16.

1. Green Bay Packers (11-3)

Previous ranking: 1

No change at the top, and the Packers will remain in first place of these rankings until after the season. The division title was theirs weeks ago and they are now in pole position for the number one seed in the conference.

With a chance to wrap up home-field advantage this week, the Packers remain in first place.

2. Chicago Bears (7-7)

Previous ranking: 3

Here come the Bears?

Winners of two straight, Chicago is back in the wild-card mix, just a game behind the Arizona Cardinals for the seventh seed.

Could the Bears win out? Their next game is against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have lost 13 in a row and look set for the first pick in the draft. Following that is a game with the Packers. If Green Bay has the top seed wrapped up and rest its starters, the playoff dream could be very much alive for Matt Nagy’s team.

3. Minnesota Vikings (6-8)

Previous ranking: 2

The Vikings need a Christmas miracle to make the playoffs after their loss to the Bears.

Winning out still likely wouldn’t be enough, and making matters worse is the Vikings take on the New Orleans Saints on Christmas Day.

Packers fans, want a Christmas present? Enjoy watching the Vikings get eliminated from playoff contention on national television.

4. Detroit Lions (5-9)

Previous ranking: 4

It just goes from bad to worse for the Lions, who have allowed a league-high 435 points this season. There are so many questions to come for this team in the offseason. Is the Matthew Stafford era over? Who will be the next head coach and general manager?

Making it worse is the fact if the season ended today, the Lions wouldn’t pick inside the top 10 of the 2021 NFL Draft.