NFC North Roundup: Packers Overtake Bears, Lions Keep Hope Alive, More ...Middle East

There is a new leader in the NFC North after the Packers beat the Bears on Sunday at Lambeau Field. With the Lions taking care of business against Dallas on TNF to open the week, and the Vikings beating up on the lowly Commanders, the division got a little bit tighter heading into Week 15.

Here is a look at the week that was in the NFC North.

Packers Overtake the Bears with a Week 14 Win

The Green Bay Packers regained control of the NFC North on Sunday, outlasting the Chicago Bears 28–21 at Lambeau Field in a matchup that lived up to the rivalry’s reputation. Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw three touchdowns, wide receiver Christian Watson hauled in two scores, and running back Josh Jacobs powered in the late go-ahead touchdown as Green Bay improved to 9-3-1 and snapped Chicago’s five-game winning streak.

The Bears, who trailed 14-3 at halftime, clawed their way back behind a more aggressive second-half offense and a defense that finally settled in after early miscues. Caleb Williams helped engineer a pair of scoring drives that tied the game late, but Green Bay’s pass rush tightened in the final minutes. The decisive moment came in the closing seconds, when Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon intercepted Williams in the end zone to seal the victory.

The win pushes Green Bay back atop the division and continues a dramatic turnaround after last year’s 1-5 NFC North record. For Chicago, the loss stings — especially given how close they were to a sixth-straight win. But the second-half response showed a team capable of adjusting under pressure and staying competitive in big moments. These two won’t have to wait long to run it back. The rematch awaits in Chicago on Dec. 20, with major playoff implications likely on the line.

Bears Next Game: Week 15 vs Cleveland — Sunday, Noon (FOX)Packers Next Game: Week 15 @ Denver — Sunday, 3:25 PM (CBS)

Lions’ Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The Detroit Lions haven’t always delivered consistency this season, but on Thursday night, they delivered a reminder of why they’re still a legitimate playoff threat. Two-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs powered a much-needed 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys, rushing for three touchdowns as Detroit climbed to 8-5 and kept its postseason hopes alive.

Detroit entered the week wobbling. The Lions were losers in three of their last five and tracking at just a 30 percent playoff probability. But Detroit played with the desperation of a team unwilling to fade in December. Quarterback Jared Goff steadied the offense with 309 passing yards. Meanwhile, Gibbs’ trio of scores tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns before age 24 in franchise history. The Lions weren’t flawless, but they were explosive, opportunistic, and tough at the moments that demanded it most.

Dallas, meanwhile, had been trending upward. Three wins in four outings had sparked renewed optimism for the Cowboys. And star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb came out hot with 121 receiving yards before a concussion ended his night. But Detroit controlled the game’s biggest swings: five sacks, three takeaways, and a fourth-quarter surge that kept the Cowboys at arm’s length.

Had the Lions lost, their playoff odds would have plummeted to near 12 percent, with Dallas jumping them in the standings. Instead, the Lions leave Week 14 stabilizing at 8-5, their postseason probability bumped to roughly 45 percent with four games to play. There is still work ahead for Detroit, but it needed a statement win on Thursday night — and they got one.

Lions Next Game: Week 15 @ Los Angeles Rams — Sunday, 3:25 PM (FOX)

An Encouraging Day for J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings finally found relief from a season full of frustration, delivering their most complete performance of the year in a 31-0 shutout of the Washington Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota dominated from the opening possession and never allowed Washington to settle in, pairing a sharp, controlled outing from quarterback J.J. McCarthy with a relentless defensive effort that overwhelmed both Commanders signal callers.

McCarthy turned in his cleanest game as a pro, going 16 of 23 for 163 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. The Vikings supported him with a revived run game that churned out 128 yards behind running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, allowing Kevin O’Connell to stay balanced and aggressive throughout.

Defensively, Minnesota pushed Washington completely out of its comfort zone. Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores’ unit forced three turnovers, pressured quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota into mistakes, and held Washington to just 3.5 yards per play. With an early lead and a defense dictating the pace, the Vikings controlled all three phases in a way they haven’t this season.

At 5-8, this isn’t a victory that rewrites the Vikings’ outlook. However, seeing the offense find some balance and success with McCarthy under center has to feel good for that group.

Vikings Next Game: Week 15 @ Dallas — Sunday, 7:20 PM (NBC)

NFC North Standings Check

Extra Points

The #Vikings just had a 19 play possession for 12:01. That is the longest possession for Minnesota this century. pic.twitter.com/uytV4WPTy3

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