The Detroit Lions are back at the bottom of the NFC North, falling without even playing a game in Week 6.
The Lions (3-2) and the Minnesota Vikings (5-0) both had their Bye weeks in Week 6, and both were hoping for some help to give them a modicum of comfort in a division where every team has a winning record.
So, of course, the Green Bay Packers (4-2) and Chicago Bears (4-2) took care of business on Sunday.
The Bears got out to a 31-7 early fourth quarter lead against the Atlanta Falcons (2-4), thanks to the returning Caleb Williams at quarterback, who completed 30 of his 36 passes for 305 passing yards and a touchdown. The Bears' defense was able to sack Michael Penix Jr. five times, while the special teams unit forced two Zachariah Branch fumbles that put the Bears deep into Falcons' territory.
The Bears did their best Lions impersonation by allowing the game to get close after being outscored 16-0 after that early fourth quarter field goal, but the fifth and final sack of Penix Jr. yielded a fumble with three minutes to go. The Falcons were unable to stop Williams and the Bears' offense as the Bears were able to run out the remaining time to secure the win.
The Packers didn't have to worry about a late-game surge against the Dallas Cowboys (2-4) on Sunday Night Football, as the Cowboys put up another "embarrassing" performance in their 13-23 loss. Six of those Cowboys' points came with just over two minutes remaining, on a six yard TD pass from Dak Prescott to wide receiver Ryan Flournoy.
The Packers' defense stifled Prescott and the Cowboys, picking up two second quarter interceptions. Despite this, and a Cowboys' rushing TD early in the third quarter, the Cowboys continued to lean heavily on Prescott in the second half. The Cowboys only ran the ball once in the final roughly 24 minutes of the game, including 27 consecutive pass plays.
Since allowing 242 rushing yards to Bijan Robinson and the Falcons in Week 3, the Packers have allowed 270 rushing yards total in their three game win streak since then. This to go with just 601 passing yards and allowing no more than 14 points in any of those three games.
But the Lions' offense is a different animal, which remains the second highest-scoring team entering Monday Night Football, and boasts a balanced attack between MVP candidates QB Jared Goff and running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
That well-rested and healthier Lions offense will get their chance against this Packers squad when they face off this Sunday in the late-afternoon time slot.
Lions get their first division test on Sunday
In an encouraging sign for the Lions, the Packers only scored 23 points on one of the only defenses that has an argument for being worse than the Lions'. The Packers rushed for 57 yards on the ground behind a weak offensive line, with 12 of them coming from QB Jordan Love. Love added 276 yards through the air to go along with one TD and one INT, while completing 56.1% of his passes.
The Packers may soon get some reinforcements on offense, however, as RB Josh Jacobs was removed from commissioner's exempt list on Monday and will be eligible to play this Sunday against the Lions. With the Packers, Jacobs has four rushing TDs in his four games against the Lions, averaging 77.5 yards on the ground.
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This Bye week is further evidence that every game matters, especially those key divisional games. Remember the factoid that all four teams in the NFC North are above .500? There are only three other teams in the NFC right now above .500 -- all division leaders. If the playoffs started today, all four NFC North teams would make the playoffs.
The Lions would be the #7 seed in that scenario, beginning their tough run to a Super Bowl with Brian Flores' defense in Minnesota. But all it takes is two weeks to flip the whole standings on its head, as the Lions will host the Packers and Vikings these next two weeks.
Win both and the Lions become the team to beat in the NFC North. Even if the standings don't reflect that yet because the rest of the NFC North just can't stop winning non-divisional games!
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