The NFC North has proven to be the toughest division in the NFL this year, with the Lions, Vikings, and Packers combining for a 30-6 record.

That should set up an exciting final month of the season, beginning on Thursday night when the Lions host the Packers.

Detroit hasn’t lost since Sept. 15 and is in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. However, the Packers could shake up the standings with a win that would get them within one game of the Lions.

Here is a look at the NFC North standings entering Week 14.

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NFC North standings

Team Record
Detroit Lions 11-1
Minnesota Vikings 10-2
Green Bay Packers 9-3
Chicago Bears 4-8

While the Bears’ six-game losing streak has dug them into a deep hole, the other NFC North teams have three of the four best records in the conference. The Lions lead the NFC at 11-1, the Vikings are one game back and the Packers are two games back, with Minnesota and Green Bay currently placing in the first two wild card spots. 

So far this year, these three teams have played the other two once each, as the Lions won both their games, the Packers lost both their games, and the Vikings are 1-1. Additionally, each team has beaten the Bears once, making Chicago 0-3 in divisional games.

When it comes to tiebreakers, the first tiebreak is head-to-head record, so Detroit has a chance to own the tiebreakers against both the Vikings and Packers. 

MORE:

NFC North 2024 schedule

Here is a look at the next five games for the Lions, Vikings, and Packers.

Lions schedule

Date Opponent Time (ET)
Dec. 5 vs. Packers 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15 vs. Bills 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22 at Bears 1:00 p.m.
Dec. 30 at 49ers 8:15 p.m.
TBD vs. Vikings TBD

Vikings schedule

Date Opponent Time (ET)
Dec. 8 vs. Falcons 1:00 p.m.
Dec. 16 vs. Bears 8:00 p.m.
Dec. 22 at Seahawks 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 29 vs. Packers 1:00 p.m.
TBD at Lions TBD

Packers schedule

Date Opponent Time (ET)
Dec. 5 at Lions 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15 at Seahawks 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 23 vs. Saints 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 29 at Vikings 1:00 p.m.
TBD vs. Bears TBD

WEEK 14 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers

The Lions, Vikings, and Packers have similar upcoming schedules, as they each play three more divisional games, including one against each of the other NFC North teams. While the Packers and Lions finish their season series this week, the Vikings must wait until the last two weeks of the season to play their final game against those division rivals.

The Packers benefit from that Week 18 schedule — Green Bay gets Chicago in the final game while Minnesota and Detroit face each other. If the Packers can handle business before then, they should get an easier last game of the season than the other two.

While these NFC North teams battle, the Eagles sit well at 10-2 and just a game behind the Lions for the top seed in the NFC. Since Philadelphia plays in a much softer NFC East, the Eagles could surpass Detroit if the Lions slip while fighting for their division.

Since the Lions have a game (and the tiebreakers) in hand and get both the Packers and Vikings at home, they look to be in good shape for the division despite the toughest remaining single-game matchup against Buffalo (also at home). Either way, there’s little margin for error, so Detroit can’t afford any letdowns or upsets.

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