Getcha popcorn ready! There are 7 (seven) (siete) weeks left in the regular season and the NFC North is going to come down to the wire. Let’s take a look at remaining schedules and make bold claims about our teams winning it all. There will be 3 spots (North title and 2 WC) for 5 teams really including the 49ers/Panthers assuming Rams, Eagles, NFC South team (Bucs or Panthers) and Seattle (7-3 WC) are in.
Bears 7-3. First Place. Really?
How did they get in first place after 0-2 division/season start? A fourth place schedule helped the Bears with wins over the Raiders (away), Cowboys (home), Saints (home), Vikings (away), Bengals (away without Hendrickson/Flacco having a million yards), Washington (away) Giants (with Dart going down). Losses were to Detroit (away) (50 burger allowed), Vikings comeback in Week 1 at Soldier Field MNF and at Ravens (Huntley not Lamar). The Bears have a good offense (top 10) but bad defense so far (Jaylon Johnson may return though for a boost).
Schedule
Pittsburgh, at Philly, at Green Bay, Cleveland, Green Bay, at San Francisco, Detroit
The truth will come out on the Bears in the next 7 weeks. Very tough schedule for the Bears including three deciding divisional games. Against Pittsburgh this week, they may avoid facing Aaron Rodgers and the 49ers will be a very tough/important game late in the season.
Packers 6-3-1
Green Bay plays to their competition. Beating Detroit in Week 1 in their Super Bowl, Washington in Week 2 before we knew Washington sucked, Cincy and at Arizona (in close games), winning at Pittsburgh to slay Rodgers and close at the Giants beating pick machine Winston. Green Bay somehow lost to the Browns and Panthers rushing attack, a defensive battle with Eagles in Lambeau and tied the Cowboys in a shootout (without Lamb) in Dallas (with a Parsons game saving tackle in OT).
Schedule
Minnesota, at Detroit, Chicago, at Denver, Chicago, Baltimore, at Minnesota.
It’s all about divisional games now with 5 of the last 7 games. Own the division, win the North. Two tough AFC games at Denver and surging Baltimore with Lamar are very tough games that could help the Lions and Bears.
Lions 6-4. Fluke 4 losses
The Lions are 6-4 after losing at Green Bay, at Kansas City, to Minnesota from special teams gaffes and at Philly. Detroit crushed the Bears, crushed the Browns, easily beat Cincy with Jake Browning, beat Tampa on MNF and crushed the Commanders. The Vikings loss was costly so far but Detroit has the path to the North title with some health and better interior Oline play. Lions have a top 5 offense (that had trouble with some top 10 defenses) and top 10 (getting studlier/healthier) defense.
Schedule
Giants, Packers, Cowboys, at Rams, Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears
Lions have 6 indoor games and a big game at Chicago in Week 18 for 3 divisional game. Detroit has 3 of 4 on the road to end the season so they must dominate this upcoming 3 game home stand. Division was easy for Lions in 2023 and they went 15-2 and soured Vikings (14-3) on Sam Darnold in 2024 to win the North. They will have to really earn it this season with such a tough schedule (all tough games on the road).
5-2 finish at 11-6 should secure playoffs but 4-3/10-6 could as well. I like 3 seed better than 1 seed based on the 2023 versus 2024 seasons.
Vikings 4-6 uh-Oh Kevin Seifert
The Vikings have had a rough year with 6 losses already despite two big division game wins on the road. Vikings lost to Falcons (wut, home), Steelers (in Ireland, Rodgers owns you), Eagles (home and Eagles offense did things), Chargers (away before Joe Alt’s injury), Ravens (home), and Bears (home). Vikings beat Chicago (away) in Week 1, crushed Bengals, beat Cleveland close (in England) and beat Detroit with fluke (away special teams).
Vikings are healthier but must go 6-1 to have a chance really.
Schedule
At Packers, at Seahawks, Commanders, at Cowboys, at Giants, Lions, Packers
3 divisional games and at Seattle are tough. Cowboys good offense and the game is in Dallas. Vikings should crush Giants on the road.
San Franciso 49ers (7-4)
Schedule: Carolina, at Browns, Bye, Titans, at Colts, Bears, Seahawks
49ers might not lose 3 more games so that would put them at 11-6 and make it tough for North to get two wild card spots.
Panthers (6-5)
Schedule: At 49ers, Rams, Bye, at Saints, Tampa, Seattle, at Tampa
Tampa should win division and lots of tough games for Panthers to get in this race. Hope they beat 49ers though. South comes down to Panthers versus Bucs twice.
Lions win the North by winning division games. Based on bold prediction in September, I’m good with a wild card berth and running the table in playoffs. Bears will need to prove they are not frauds in the final 7. Packers will need to win division games and tough AFC games. Vikings better luck next year. Just need to get in the dance as it will be earned and then dance like nobody’s watching.