One of the biggest stories in the National Football League to date has been the success of the NFC North. It is the only division where are all teams are above .500. The Minnesota Vikings are one of two teams in the NFL that have a perfect record at five wins and zero losses (the other is the Kansas City Chiefs). The Detroit Lions are in second place at three wins and one loss, and the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are tied for third place with a record of three wins and two losses. Let’s take a look at the success of these teams so far and the major players who have contributed to their success.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have beaten the New York Giants 28-6, the injury plagued San Francisco 49ers 23-17, the Houston Texans 34-7, the Green Bay Packers 31-29, and the New York Jets 23-17. In Minnesota’s three wins against non-New York teams they were the underdog. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold of Capistrano Beach, California, has been great in his first season in Minnesota after being a backup in San Francisco last season. Of the 87 completions he has thrown this year, 11 have been for touchdowns. Justin Jefferson has had 26 catches for 450 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Detroit Lions
The Lions have beaten the Los Angeles Rams 26-20 in overtime, the Arizona Cardinals 20-13 and the Seattle Seahawks 42-29. Their only loss came to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 20-16. Quarterback Jared Goff of Novato, California has 1015 passing yards, while running backs David Montgomery of Cincinnati, Ohio and Jahmyr Gibbs of Dalton, Georgia have combined for 556 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
Chicago Bears
The Bears have beaten the Tennessee Titans 24-17, the Los Angeles Rams 24-18 and the Carolina Panthers 36-10. What has been most impressive for the Bears this season has been their defense. The Bears have given up only 85 points, the third fewest points in the conference. Interestingly, the only two points that have given up less are the Vikings (76), and Lions (82).
Green Bay Packers
The Packers have beaten the Indianapolis Colts 16-10, the Titans 30-14 and the Rams 24-19. What we have seen is the emergence of Packers quarterback Jordan Love, and two key wins by backup quarterback Malik Willis of College Park, Georgia, who came into action when Love injured his medial collateral ligament against the Eagles in Brazil in week one.
