The State of the NFC North
By Zachary Smith
With the final week of the NFL coming up this weekend, the Packers are currently the number one seed in the NFC and are looking to hold that position. The Bears are right there to steal a spot in the playoffs, and the Lions and Vikings have been eliminated from the playoff race.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are currently in 1st place with a 12-3 record. (USA TODAY Sports)
The Packers are coming off an impressive 40-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. This game was never really all too close with Rodgers throwing for 4 touchdowns and the Packers offense rushing for 234 yards in this game. This was the breakout game for rookie running back AJ Dillon, as he saw a majority of the success on the ground running for 124 yards on 21 carries and 2 touchdowns (all career highs). Devante Adams continued his amazing season, pulling in 11 of 12 targets for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns, giving him an astounding total of 16 on the year with one week to still play.
The Packers have already clinched a playoff spot but still fight off the New Orleans Saints for that number one seed in the NFC. Their game against the Chicago Bears in Week 17 will be huge. The Bears will be fighting for one of the last Wild Card spots in the NFC and the Packers will want to try to secure that first-round bye. This game will have huge playoff implications.
Chicago Bears
The Bears are currently in 2nd place with an 8-7 record. (USA TODAY Sports)
The Bears defeated the lowly Jaguars 41-17 as they continued to ride the success of David Montgomery on the ground and that stout defense. Mitchell Trubisky started this game once again and was able to show that he can do enough to not lose the game for the Bears. Since regaining the starting quarterback job, Trubisky has thrown four picks in five games compared to 10 touchdowns. Not a bad mark for a guy who was already written off as a huge bust.
With the win and the Arizona Cardinals’ loss, the Bears move into the 7th seed in the NFC and hold the last Wild Card spot as of now. Week 17 against the Packers will be huge. While the Bears control their own destiny, it is still possible for them to miss out depending on the outcome of this game.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are currently in 3rd place with a 6-9 record. (USA TODAY Sports)
The Vikings opened Week 16 with an embarrassing loss to the New Orleans Saints 52-33. Kirk Cousins threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Dalvin Cook added 73 yards and one touchdown on the ground. The Vikings had no answer however for Alvin Kamara. He rushed for a career-high 155 yards and an NFL record-tying six touchdowns.
With the loss, the Vikings have been officially eliminated from the playoff race. The slow start they got off to in the beginning of the year was ultimately too much for them to overcome. They end their season with a divisional game against the Lions.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are currently in 4th place with a 5-10 record. (Getty Images)
The Lions are looking to rebound and close the season out with a win after getting blown out by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 47-7. Matthew Stafford once again left the game with an injury and may have finally played his last snap at quarterback for the Motor City.
For the Lions, their season is already over, however, they get a chance to potentially defeat their division foes one more time as they play the Minnesota Vikings to close the season out.
For now, the Lions will need to get their offense situated before the season is over. There are rumors of Matthew Stafford finally leaving town while Kenny Golladay will become a free agent after a disappointing, injury-riddled season. This Lions team could be looking at a massive rebuild going forward, especially on the offensive side of the football.
Zach is a sports writer for La Tonique.
