Who will be the kings of the north?

By Trevor Speetzen December 15, 2024 10:29

Photo by Getty Images

The NFC north division this season has been one of the most competitive divisions, besides the AFC west. The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers have all put up a fight to claim the 2024 division title.

These three teams currently all have winning records this year, except for the Chicago Bears who fired their head coach Matt Eberflus in the middle of the season.

At the moment, all three teams have won at least nine games this year and are currently projected to make the playoffs. The Lions have maintained control of the division for most of the year, but the division title is still up for grabs.

Entering the 2024 season, Detroit were heavy favorites to make and win the Super Bowl. It never crossed anyone’s mind that Detroit wouldn’t be division champions.

The Lions are currently tied with the best record in the NFL and currently have a one game lead in their division as well as the top seed in the NFC.

Despite Minnesota and Green Bay breathing down their neck, the Lions continued to prove throughout the year that they are the best team in the NFL with only one loss so far this year. They’re the only team from the NFC north to clinch a playoff berth.

Minnesota on the other hand have been right behind Detroit all season. The Vikings are only one game behind the Lions in the division race.

The Vikings faced adversity early in training camp after their first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy, suffered a knee injury that prematurely ended his rookie season. Sam Darnold stepped for Minnesota this year and has had a breakout year that has made Minnesota competitive.

The two teams faced each other earlier this year in week six, with the Lions winning 31-29. Minnesota and Detroit will see each other one more time this year in the final week of the season, a game that might decide the division championship.

With the regular season coming to a close in a month, the Packers sit right behind in third place waiting to pounce. Mathematically Green Bay has a chance to win the division, but would have to rely on a late season collapse by Detroit and Minnesota.

The Packers also faced quarterback issues earlier this year when Jordan Love suffered an MCL sprain that sidelined him. Malik Willis came in and stepped up for the team this year.

The Packers sit three games behind the Lions, but are in a firm position to clinch a playoff spot and become serious contenders in the playoffs.

The black sheep of the north this season are the Chicago Bears. After drafting Caleb Williams first overall, the Bears have been rolling downhill ever since.

They're the only team in the division with a losing record and have since fired Eberflus after his terrible clock management that led to a heartbreaking loss on Thanksgiving.

Chicago’s once promising season quickly became a rebuilding year after it became aware that Williams is going to need a lot of help in order to succeed with the Bears.

With three teams with winning records in the NFC north, it’s anyone’s guess to see who will be crowned the division champion.