Packers: NFC North power rankings entering Week 17
It’s the Packers still on top of the power rankings.
Two teams, the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, could be playing football in January.
The Packers are already there and the Bears currently sit in the playoff positions entering Week 17. The other two teams? Well, it could be an interesting offseason to say the least.
Here are the final NFC North power rankings of the season:
1. Green Bay Packers (12-3)
Previous ranking: 1
Week 16 is the perfect time to put together your most complete performance of the season. Winners of five straight — including their 40-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans — the Packers are just one more away from securing home-field advantage.
The offense has been on fire all year long and leads the league in points. Now the ground game has got even stronger with AJ Dillon rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Expect to see more from Dillon before this season is over.
The Packers are rolling. Now their attention turns to the Bears with the first seed on the line.
2. Chicago Bears (8-7)
Previous ranking: 2
We’re all set for a huge game at Soldier Field on Sunday.
The Bears are into the playoff positions after winning three straight. One more win would be enough to send Matt Nagy’s team back into the playoffs.
They now run into a Packers team that defeated them 41-25 just five weeks ago. What have the Bears learned and can they pull off the upset?
4. Minnesota Vikings (6-9) and Detroit Lions (5-10)
Previous ranking: 3 and 4
Neither of these teams deserves to be any higher than fourth so, hey, as these are my rankings, both teams can go into last place.
What an embarrassing Week 16 for both teams.
The Lions kicked it off with a humiliating 47-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s the second straight game they’ve allowed over 45 points. After Tom Brady was done throwing four touchdown passes, Blaine Gabbert entered the game and threw two more.
It’s time for the Lions to reset everything in the offseason.
The Vikings weren’t much better, either. They allowed seven rushing touchdowns, six of which went to Alvin Kamara. It was a 52-33 loss and one of their most embarrassing performances under Mike Zimmer.
Where do the Vikings go from here?