The Green Bay Packers were off for the bye week during Week 5 of the 2025 season. It was the earliest possible bye in the NFL, but Matt LaFleur’s team got some much needed rest and recovery after a tumultuous two-week stretch of games in Cleveland and Dallas. Did the Packers get any help from other teams during the Sunday of Week 5? Let’s dive in.

NFC North goes 2-0

Like the Packers, the Chicago Bears were off this week, and the rest of the NFC North handled business against struggling AFC North foes. The Minnesota Vikings got a late touchdown from Carson Wentz to Jordan Addison to upend the Cleveland Browns in London, while the Detroit Lions cruised to a win over the struggling Cincinnati Bengals on the road. The Vikings (3-2) finished their two-week international trip at 1-1, while the Lions (4-1) have won four straight games since losing to the Packers in Week 1. It’s shaping up to be another terrific race in the division; all four teams in the NFC North are currently .500 or better.

Eagles finally lose

Despite leading 17-3 into the fourth quarter at home, the Philadelphia Eagles gave up 18 straight points and lost 21-17 to Denver Broncos (whom the Packers will host in December). The Eagles were the last remaining unbeaten team in the NFC. Now, Philadelphia is one of four 4-1 teams in the conference, joining the Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers. It’s obviously way too early to think about playoff standings, but if the season ended today, the Packers would be the No. 5 seed behind the four division leaders listed above. There are several good football teams capable of making a real run a tthe No. 1 seed in the NFC. If there’s good news, the Packers are one of just three teams without a true loss in the conference so far.

NFC North standings after Week 5Detroit Lions (4-1, W vs. CIN)Green Bay Packers (2-1-1, bye week)Minnesota Vikings (3-2, W vs. CLE)Chicago Bears (2-2, bye week)Next opponent: Bengals

The Packers will host the Bengals, who have lost three straight games, at Lambeau Field coming out of the bye week next Sunday. Cincinnati lost Joe Burrow to a toe injury and has struggled since, losing 48-10 to the Vikings, 28-3 to the Broncos and falling behind the Lions 28-3 and 35-17 before losing 37-24. Backup quarterback Jake Browning threw three more interceptions and now has eight in his four games in 2025. Ja’Marr Chase caught six passes for 110 yards and two scores, and the Bengals scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, but the Lions were in control from start to finish.