The NFC North continues to be the best division in football, with three incredible teams (and the Chicago Bears).
The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are locked into the playoff field, and the Green Bay Packers can clinch their spot this week, possibly even before their game on Monday Night Football. As always, quarterback play is a major factor in the success of these teams, which brings us to our weekly power rankings.
Where does Jordan Love stand entering Week 16?
NFC North quarterback rankings:
4. Caleb Williams, Bears
There's no sugarcoating this: the Bears are in freefall mode. Facing the division-rival Vikings, the Bears got trounced in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football. Caleb Williams was unspectacular in the contest, completing 18 of 31 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown.
Tyson Bagent made an appearance in this game, mostly due to the lopsided score. Nevertheless, once again, Williams was unable to make a positive impression with the spotlight on him. The lone touchdown came late with the game well decided. Chicago has given a scare to a few teams over the past few weeks, but it seems that the Bears and Williams are running out of gas for the season.
3. Sam Darnold, Vikings
Across the sideline, things weren't a lot better from a statistical standpoint. Sam Darnold completed 24 of 40 passes for 231 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the win over Chicago.
Minnesota had clinched its playoff spot before it kicked off on Monday, thanks to Green Bay's win in Seattle on Sunday night. Darnold didn't need to do everything for the Vikings to get the win, which is perfectly OK. Aaron Jones and Cam Akers found the end zone on the ground. Nevertheless, this is purely power-ranking the quarterbacks, which puts Darnold in the No. 3 spot this week.
2. Jared Goff, Lions
Jared Goff had one of his best games of the season. From a pure numbers perspective, Goff was incredible, completing 38 of 59 passes for 494 yards and five touchdowns.
With numbers like that, most teams won't lose. However, the Lions were outgunned by the Buffalo Bills and MVP favorite Josh Allen, losing 48-42 in an incredible showdown in Motown. Losing doesn't automatically disqualify you from the No. 1 spot, but the gravity of this loss separates No. 2 from No. 1 this week.
Detroit's loss opens up the NFC North to Minnesota and, in a very unlikely scenario, Green Bay. Goff and the Lions also lost one of their primary weapons, David Montgomery.
1. Jordan Love, Packers
Toyotathon Jordan Love has continued to be one of the coolest coincidences in sports. Sunday night's showdown in Seattle added to its legacy. Love was nearly perfect in the game, completing 20 of 27 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns.
While Love did not have the volume numbers that Goff did this past week, he got the win in a game Green Bay needed to cement its status as a legitimate threat in the NFC. Love delivered in front of a primetime audience and is the pivotal spark on a Packers team peaking at the perfect time.
Love will again have the national spotlight on him as Green Bay hosts Monday Night Football to conclude Week 16. The Packers hope to seal a playoff spot for the fourth time in five seasons.