NFC North Shake-Up: Packers Slip, Bears Climb, and the Playoff Picture Gets Tighter
The Green Bay Packers rolled into Week 15 riding high-second in the NFC, first in the NFC North, and winners of four straight. But that momentum came to a halt on Sunday with a loss to the red-hot Denver Broncos, who extended their winning streak to 11 games and knocked the Kansas City Chiefs off the top of the AFC West in the process.
For the Packers, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Not only did the loss snap their streak, it cost them control of the division. They’re still in solid playoff position, but now they’re chasing instead of leading.
NFC North: A Tight Race with Big Stakes
Thanks to a win on Sunday, the Chicago Bears have reclaimed the top spot in the NFC North. That sets up a massive showdown in Week 16 when the Bears and Packers meet again.
Green Bay took the first matchup last week, a 28-21 win that showcased their offensive rhythm and defensive grit. But now the stakes are even higher.
A Packers win would flip the division lead right back to them.
Before this week’s loss, there was a scenario where Green Bay could’ve wrapped up the division as early as Week 16. That’s off the table now. With games still remaining against the Bears, Ravens, and Vikings, the Packers may need to run the table to reclaim the NFC North crown.
One silver lining? The Detroit Lions also stumbled this week, giving Green Bay a bit of breathing room in the wild card race. The Minnesota Vikings, sitting further back in the standings, were set to play on Sunday night.
NFC North Standings After Week 15:
Chicago Bears: 10-4
2.
Green Bay Packers: 9-4-1
3.
Detroit Lions: 8-6
4.
Minnesota Vikings: 5-8
NFC Playoff Picture: Rams Clinch, Race Heats Up
The Los Angeles Rams became the first NFC team to clinch a playoff spot this season, thanks to their win over Detroit combined with the Packers’ loss. That’s the kind of timely result that can shift the entire postseason landscape.
The Bears’ win vaulted them back into the No. 2 seed, while Green Bay still holds a wild card spot. The Philadelphia Eagles, currently sitting at 9-5, have a chance to shake things up further when they take the field on Monday Night Football.
In the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost on Thursday, briefly slipping out of the top spot. But a Sunday loss by the Carolina Panthers handed the division lead right back to Tampa at 7-7. It’s a reminder of just how volatile that division has been all year.
Meanwhile, both the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers picked up key wins to stay firmly in the wild card mix alongside Green Bay. The Dallas Cowboys, still hovering around .500, are in action Sunday night and could reinsert themselves into the conversation with a win.
Current NFC Playoff Standings:
Los Angeles Rams: 11-3
2.
Chicago Bears: 10-4
3.
Philadelphia Eagles: 9-5 (play Monday)
4.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-7
5.
Seattle Seahawks: 11-3
6.
San Francisco 49ers: 10-4
7.
Green Bay Packers: 9-4-1
In the Hunt:
- Detroit Lions: 8-6
- Carolina Panthers: 7-7
- Dallas Cowboys: 6-6-1
What’s Next?
The NFC playoff picture is anything but settled. For the Packers, the path forward is clear but steep-they’ll need to bounce back quickly and likely win out to reclaim the division. The Week 16 clash with the Bears is shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the season, not just for the NFC North but for the entire playoff bracket.
There’s no margin for error anymore. December football is here, and every snap matters.