NFC North power rankings: Packers increase pressure on Vikings, Lions make statement

The NFC North remains the best division in football by a wide margin. All four teams are in playoff positions.

The Green Bay Packers picked up a big victory over the Houston Texans, who had only lost once entering Week 7.

Within the division, the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions played out a classic at U.S. Bank Stadium, with the reigning champion Lions shattering the Vikings' undefeated run with a two-point victory. The Chicago Bears enjoyed watching the drama unfold from the comfort of their bye week.

The NFC North now has three five-win teams, while the Bears are on four. It's a true four-team race, and the excitement is only just getting started.

How did the Week 7 results impact our NFC North power rankings?

NFC North power rankings after Week 7: Lions take the lead in wide-open race

4. Chicago Bears (4-2)

Winners of three straight, the Bears will have felt pretty good about their situation while on bye. However, much like the Vikings last week, they had to sit and watch other NFC North teams pick up big wins.

Chicago visits the Washington Commanders this week, and a run of five divisional games in six weeks is just around the corner.

3. Minnesota Vikings (5-1)

The Vikings have made a great start to the season and proved they are NFC North contenders despite losing to the Lions. However, they have lost all momentum. They struggled late in the win over the New York Jets in London, spent a week away on bye, and then lost a home divisional game.

Minnesota had chances to close out the win, but Brian Flores' defense struggled to stop Detroit's explosive offense, allowing 391 total yards and seven yards per play. The Lions had more touchdowns than Jared Goff did incompletions. The Vikings face a huge game against the Los Angeles Rams this week.

2. Green Bay Packers (5-2)

The Packers are finding ways to win games even when they're not at their best. They turned the ball over three times and struggled to find a rhythm offensively for much of the game, but they still defeated one of the best teams in the NFL.

Jeff Hafley's defense is for real, shutting down Houston's offense and limiting C.J. Stroud to just 10 completions for 86 yards. Only 10 of the Texans' 22 points didn't come on the back of a Packers turnover. The Texans couldn't get anything done without benefitting from short fields.

Green Bay has to stop making unforced errors, but the potential for this team is endless.

1. Detroit Lions (5-1)

The defending NFC North champions took over first place in the conference with a statement victory on the road at Minnesota. Detroit's offense is a problem. Brian Flores' defense has shut down some of the best offenses in the game, but the Lions made it look easy. Jared Goff completed 22 of 25 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, while Detroit added 144 rushing yards with two more scores.

There are still questions about the Lions' defense without Aidan Hutchinson, but Dan Campbell's team reminded everyone why they are one of the league's best.

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