Detroit Lions have clear path to divisional title

Despite not having been crowned divisional champs since 1993, the Detroit Lions have a real chance of winning the NFC North this season.

Let’s be honest here. The Detroit Lions are likely the most talented 3-3 team in the NFL. An argument could be made that this team could easily be 5-1 and be sitting on top of the NFC North.

Instead, the Lions are third in their division, sitting underneath both the 5-2 Minnesota vikings and the 4-3 Green Bay Packers. Beneath Detroit in the standings are the suddenly surging Chicago Bears, with a 3-4 record.

Yet, the Lions still have a very clear path to becoming the division champions for the first time since 1993. The Motor City’s biggest obstacle? The Vikings, who are currently on a three game-winning streak. But Detroit possess a trump card over the horn heads, as they defeated Minnesota 14-7 back in Week Four.

As for the Packers, they have lost two straight and are fully expected to hit the basement of the division after losing starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a collarbone injury. There is some hope Rodgers could return in Week 15, but the damage to the Packer’s win/loss column will likely be done by then.

Last, and likely least, are the Bears, who have actually won two straight after starting the season 1-4. But those victories include a three point win over the 3-4 Baltimore Ravens and a “W” over the 4-3 Carolina Panthers in which Chicago failed to score an offensive touchdown.

The Lions have yet to face either the Bears or Packers this season, and they have another matchup with the Vikings on tap. This time at Ford Field. Outside of their divisional foes, Detroit has upcoming matchups with the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers, the 0-7 Cleveland Browns, the 3-4 Ravens, the 2-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 2-4 Cincinnati Bengals. That’s a combined 12-21 record!

Next: Defensive stat ties Detroit Lions to Super Bowl contenders

The point being, the Detroit Lions have a very winnable schedule moving forward. If they can come out of the bye week strong, there is no reason this team shouldn’t be crowned NFC North champions by season’s end.