NFC North Preseason Power Rankings after preseason Week 1

There is a shift in these rankings after the first week of preseason football.

Before the Green Bay Packers kicked off their preseason in Cleveland, we ranked the NFC North, and things looked a bit different than they do now after seeing some action.

Things went well for the Packers, who trounced the Browns, while Jordan Love made his record-setting contract look like a bargain. Not everything was perfect, as Packers rookie MarShawn Lloyd suffered an injury which might set back his development, but generally it was a great way for the Packers to begin the preseason.

Was that the case for the rest of the NFC North?

NFC North Preseason Power Rankings after Preseason Week 1

As a reminder, these are not predictions of standings; they are based on perceptions of where things stand right now.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota won in its first preseason game, taking down the Raiders 24-23. That said, once again, the Vikings just remain perfectly "blah".

Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones were among the vets who did not play in Week 1, and also received uncertainty regarding TJ Hockenson regarding his status on returning from his ACL tear. Minnesota also seems a ways off from a quarterback controversy, as Sam Darnold was 4-8 in his lone drive, throwing for 59 yards. JJ McCarthy did go 11-17 for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception in about 2 quarters of play.

Justin Jefferson did voice his support behind Sam Darnold for now, telling local media that Darnold throws with more touch, and that McCarthy tries to throw with too much speed for now. Minnesota did win, and Chicago has fallen down to earth in the perception world, but not enough for the Vikings to jump up to 3.

3. Chicago Bears

The Bears also won this last week, jumping to 2-0 in the preseason after winning the Hall of Fame game and then trouncing Buffalo 33-6 over the weekend.

Chicago benefits for just one more week, for simply being on Hard Knocks. Hard Knocks did leave a few takeaways on the Bears, that left a lot to be desired. First, it seems like Nick Saban is trying to coach up Matt Eberflus on dealing with the Caleb Williams phenomenon, making it seem like Saban may not believe that Williams is "that guy."

The biggest takeaway, though, is whether they can Williams make the talent jump to the NFL. A clip of Hard Knocks showed a look inside the Bears film room during training camp, where Williams threw an interception when he is on his back foot and not stepping into the throw.

Practice is the perfect place for that to happen; however, it may be indicative of a bigger problem, that Williams may have coasted on athleticism instead of growing. USC did lose 5 of its last 6 with Williams at QB, and those cracks may carry to the NFL.

Focusing on the preseason game itself, Williams went 4-for-7 for 95 yards, leading two drives for field goals against Buffalo. Chicago's defense held serve over Buffalo, as the Bills starters went 3 and out on their first drive before a 13-play, 84-yard drive led to a field goal. Chicago has a long way to go to be taken seriously as an NFC North contender, but given the hype of Hard Knocks and winning another preseason game, Chicago takes the 3 spots this week.

2. Detroit Lions

Detroit did not play its starters in Week 1 and was the lone NFC North team to lose its preseason opener, falling 14-3 to the New York Giants. The biggest storyline last week for the Lions was the two days of fighting in joint practices. This is once again going to be a tough, gritty Lions team led by the ever-polarizing Dan Campbell.

Detroit falls in the rankings through no fault of its own because this is a ranking based on perception. With no starters playing and taking a loss with the guys who did play, Detroit falls to second for now, which is also a pretty huge indicator of how things are going in Chicago and Minnesota.

1. Green Bay Packers

As things stand right now, the Packers fans have a lot to be excited about. Jordan Love hit a bomb to Dontayvion Wicks for a 65-yard touchdown on the third play of his only drive in Cleveland, looking every bit like the guy who Green Bay needs him to be this season. Jeff Halfey's defense played with intensity and speed, no matter who was in, an incredibly welcome sight after the Joe Barry years.

Green Bay sits in a great position in the NFC North.

With nearly all of its main position battles remaining being among role players and backups, the Packers starters can focus on getting reps in practice and getting/staying as healthy as possible for the regular season. Matt LaFleur has already announced that the starters will get their main work in joint practices with Denver this week, not participate in the game, and evaluate next week what the situation will be ahead of its preseason finale against Baltimore.

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