After six weeks of action in the NFL, one division has clearly been above the rest. With a 17-5 cumulative record between the four and a whopping +211 point differential, the NFC North has proven itself to be the best division in the NFL according to statistics.
At the top are the Minnesota Vikings, who are still undefeated despite having one of the hardest schedules through the first six weeks. Wins over the 49ers, Texans, and Packers have solidified this team as legit contenders, but they will be in for a tough challenge next week against the second-place team in the division, the Detroit Lions.
The Lions, led by head coach Dan Campbell and the two-headed monster of running backs, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, absolutely dominated the Cowboys in Dallas this past Sunday, winning the game 47-9. The team moved so far ahead that they tried to get the linemen a score, attempting a pass to Taylor Decker and having Dan Skipper reported as eligible. However, it was not all sunshine and rainbows for Detroit, as in the game star Edge Rusher Aidan Hutchinson went down with a gruesome injury in which he broke his fibula. Hutchinson, who led the league in sacks before week 6, has undergone a successful surgery but will likely not be able to return this season. Although a crushing blow to the Lions, they will look to keep the strength of their defense despite Hutchinson’s absence.
The Green Bay Packers also put on a show this past Sunday, beating the Cardinals in dominant fashion 34-13. After an ankle injury in week 1, quarterback Jordan Love ran a clinic, throwing for four touchdowns and 258 yards. The defense was just as impressive, recovering three fumbles and holding the Cardinals to just one touchdown and three field goals. With a 4-2 record, the Packers are in a good position to face a talented Texans team next week.
Last in the NFC North, though could be first in any other NFC division, the Chicago Bears are also sitting nice with a 4-2 record. Following suit with the two other NFC North teams that played Sunday, the Bears beat the struggling Jaguars 35-16, with rookie Caleb Williams playing like a first-overall pick and throwing for four touchdowns and 226 yards.
Like the Packers, the defense also showed out, holding the Jaguars to 278 total yards of offense. Though some argue their strength of schedule has been meager, the Bears can only beat the teams on their schedule, and be a strong unit through six weeks of action. For the rest of the year, they will have their work cut out for them as they have their six divisional matchups and games against the 49ers and Commanders. Despite this, fans should look forward to seeing the young talent of this Bears team on the big stage.
Since the Divisional merger in 2002, the 2024 NFC North is the first division where all four teams have at least four wins after six weeks of play in the NFL. Thanks to the new playoff rules, there is a possibility that all four teams in the same division can make the playoffs, and, as of right now, the Vikings, Packers, and Lions are in with the Bears first in the hunt. Even with their record of 4-2 however, they only hold a 31% chance of making the playoffs in January.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out for the NFC North this year, with every team having at least a strong defense to accommodate at least decent offenses. If all four teams keep it up, they may achieve what no division in NFL history has ever done.
