The Chicago Bears got their NFC North lead back this week. This time around, they are trying to separate themselves from the Green Bay Packers for good. The Detroit Lions are hanging by a thread, and things can get even uglier with Detroit having a tough remaining schedule. Minnesota is hoping to finish this disastrous season on a high note. The Vikings are building for 2026.

Here are my takeaways from NFL Week 15 in the NFC North for each team:

The Bears had the perfect weekend this past weekend. The Bears took care of a favorable opponent in dominating fashion. Caleb Williams showed immense growth, and he played lights out in frigid temperatures. The defense is not only getting healthier but also still getting takeaways at a high level. Both of the Bears’ foes helped them out by coming up short, setting the Bears up for first place in the NFC North again. The Bears are entering the hardest stretch of the season and the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL in the best way possible. The Bears have everything falling into place for them, all they need to do is just seize the moment.

(9-4-1) Green Bay Packers

Just one week ago, the Packers looked like a Super Bowl contender and the team that sat on the throne of the NFC North. Fast forward to today, and it seems like the sky is falling in Green Bay. It feels as if the Packers have injuries at every position. The Packers have now lost their best player in Micah Parsons and the exact heartbeat of their defense. With Parsons, the Packers’ defense is a nightmare for opposing offenses. Without Parsons, Bo Nix has a career performance and throws for 4 passing touchdowns and 302 yards. Christian Watson has not been a player who can be healthy, but his not being healthy hurts even more without Tucker Kraft being in the lineup for the rest of the season. Watson was really becoming important for Jordan Love. All the excitement for the Packers seems to be out the window. After a physical game versus the Broncos, the Packers now have to face the Bears again and then the Baltimore Ravens. The Packers still have a shot to make the playoffs, but instead of a deep playoff run, the Packers seem to be headed towards a first-round exit.

(8-6) Detroit Lions

Just like the Packers, one week has drained a lot of hope and excitement for the Detroit Lions. A victory over the Rams was right in the Lions’ grasp, but getting outscored in the second half 24-10 provided Detroit with a devastating loss instead. The Lions needed a win against the Rams to stay the course for the playoffs, and now Detroit will need help from its foes in the North to get back in the playoffs. With a tough game against the Steelers this upcoming Sunday, the Lions will need to have as good a weekend as the Bears just had to keep their season alive. No doubt the Lions have what it takes to handle business on their own for the rest of the season, but is it time to just admit the NFC North may be passing them by?

The Minnesota Vikings, after following their big win over the Lions with a 4-game skid, have found success as of late. J.J. McCarthy has taken advantage of very favorable matchups versus some of the worst defenses in the NFL. Nonetheless, it has been impressive to see J.J. turn things around. The Vikings no longer have a chance to return to the playoffs, but they have a shot to end the season on a high note and get more clarity at the quarterback position. The Vikings made one team’s playoff chances even more slim, and they have a couple more opportunities to do that with the Packers and Lions being their last two final games. That would be a huge confidence booster for McCarthy, getting two more NFC North wins under his belt to end the year.

Overview

The Bears have everything falling into place for them to win the NFC North division; the only thing standing in their way is themselves. The Packers and Lions are both one more bad week from having their seasons end. Minnesota is not where it was last season, but Kevin O’Connell is looking to see if J.J. McCarthy can be that quarterback who brings Minnesota its next winning season these last few weeks.