NFC North Power Rankings After Week 15: Bears Take Command, Division Race Heats Up
With just a few weeks left in the regular season, the NFC North has turned into one of the most intriguing divisions in football-and the Chicago Bears are right at the heart of it. After a dominant Week 15 performance, the Bears now sit atop the division at 10-4 and hold the NFC’s No. 2 seed. That puts them in prime position for a home playoff game if they can close out the division title.
First-year head coach Ben Johnson has brought a new energy and direction to Chicago, and it’s paying off in a big way. The Bears are playing confident, physical football, and even with some growing pains from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, they’ve found ways to win.
Williams’ completion percentage still needs work, but that’s not uncommon for a young quarterback adjusting to NFL speed. The upside is clearly there, and the team around him is doing enough to keep stacking wins.
Let’s take a closer look at how the NFC North is shaping up after Week 15, with updated power rankings reflecting the latest twists in this back-and-forth race.
4. Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
The Vikings are in a bit of a holding pattern right now. Yes, they’re sitting at the bottom of the division, but there’s a silver lining: second-year quarterback J.J.
McCarthy is starting to show signs of growth. Back-to-back strong outings have given Minnesota fans a glimpse of what the future could look like if McCarthy continues to develop.
That’s the key for the Vikings moving forward. They’re not mathematically out of the playoff race, but realistically, their hopes lie more in 2026 than the next few weeks.
If McCarthy can take another leap next season, Minnesota could climb back into contention. But for now, they’re firmly in the fourth spot.
3. Detroit Lions (8-6)
The Lions came into this season with big expectations-and for good reason. But losing both of their coordinators to head coaching jobs in the offseason has taken a toll, and it’s showing. Detroit has already tripled its loss total from last year’s regular season, and while the offense still looks dangerous, the defense has been inconsistent at best.
Injuries haven’t helped, but the bigger issue is execution. The Lions are still in the playoff hunt, but their margin for error is shrinking fast. Winning the division seems like a long shot at this point, and unless they can tighten things up quickly, they could find themselves watching the postseason from home.
2. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
Week 15 was a gut punch for the Packers. After building a nine-point second-half lead in Denver, Green Bay let it slip away-and may have lost more than just the game. Key players Micah Parsons and Christian Watson both went down, and Parsons’ injury is especially brutal: a torn ACL while trying to sack Bo Nix.
That loss not only stings in the standings, but it also puts the Packers in a tough spot heading into a critical Week 16 matchup in Chicago. They’ll be playing desperate football, knowing a win could flip the division standings again. But without Parsons anchoring the defense, the challenge just got a lot steeper.
1. Chicago Bears (10-4)
Right now, it’s the Bears’ division to lose. After steamrolling the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, Chicago got some help from Denver, who knocked off the Packers. That combo vaulted the Bears into sole possession of first place and made them the only team in the NFC North with double-digit wins.
There are still concerns-particularly on defense and in the passing game-but you can’t argue with results. Chicago is finding ways to win, and they’re doing it with a mix of physicality, smart coaching, and timely playmaking. Caleb Williams still has room to grow, but the foundation is strong, and the Bears are peaking at the right time.
The next test? A high-stakes rematch with Green Bay in Week 16. If the Bears can hold serve at home, they’ll be one step closer to locking up the division and hosting a playoff game at Soldier Field-something that didn’t seem likely just a few months ago.
Bottom Line:
The NFC North is far from settled, but the Bears have put themselves in the driver’s seat.
With three teams still battling for playoff positioning, and a couple of head-to-head matchups left on the schedule, this division is setting up for a dramatic finish. Buckle up.