Nation, let’s take a look at where the NFC North is today. Lions, Packers, Bears, and Vikings. OH MY.
You can make a VERY strong case to say that the NFC North is the strongest division in the NFL right now. Only the NFC North and NFC South have no teams with less than three wins. All four teams are in the top 13 in offensive yards per game. If you watch a lot of football, that shouldn’t be a surprise to you.
You can never count the @Packers out as long as Aaron Rodgers is on the field…
But thru Week 7, the @Vikings are looking good and are sitting atop the NFC North.
(via @wyche89 | @StaceyDales)#TheAftermath | #Skol https://t.co/LIKoYbmHgO
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 22, 2018
Minnesota Viking’s Kirk Cousins and the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers are both in the top five of passing yards, with Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford and Chicago Bears’ Mitchell Trubisky still in the top 15. Keep in mind, we’re pretty sure Rodgers has put up most of his numbers with one leg. Yeah, we get it, the guy’s good. If Rodgers was in any OTHER division, I think Lions fans would have a much easier time admitting that.
How’d we get stuck with this guy anyway? Isn’t he from California? Shouldn’t he be on the Raiders? Did Jon Gruden trade him for a six pack of ice cold Corona and some wings? It’s hard to find a good QB, isn’t it Jon? It’s wild, man. Cousins is excelling in a brand new system in Minnesota and he and Adam Thielen definitely have something special this year. Let’s not forget “Minnesota Miracle Man” Stefon Diggs either.
Matthew Stafford probably won’t be breaking any records this season. But let’s be honest, as Lions fans, do we want HIM breaking records, or do we want THEM winning games? With the recent moves Bob Quinn has made, it’s pretty plain to see that this is the most well-rounded and talented squad the Lions have put on the field in a LONG time.
Link to latest episode of Detail with Peyton Manning breaking down Matthew Stafford's game from last week vs. Dolphins:https://t.co/UEamPOjlx0 pic.twitter.com/11SXGdrYBQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 25, 2018
Let’s take a quick look at the defenses. Based on total yards given up per game, all four NFC North Division teams are in the top 15. That’s a VERY promising statistic. Lions and Packers both in the top 10 against the pass, and Bears and Vikings both in the top 5 against the run.
That being said, the Lions are currently ranked 29th against the run. That is before we stocked up on… SNACKS.
http://gty.im/1032308692
Shopping For Snacks
Yessir! Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or in a cave somewhere cold and terrible; (Like say, Minnesota or Wisconsin) you’re well aware of the Lions trading to receive 6’3″ 353lb (yikes) Damon “Snacks” Harrison. The Lions now have a living, breathing, thundering cement truck in the middle of their defensive run to chew up blockers, and swallow up their opponents’ run game. The Lions are ranked 15th in total defense yards per game, seventh in passing, and 29th against the run. With Snacks holding down the middle of the line, you can guarantee that run defense ranking to improve, IMMEDIATELY. I’m not a huge math guy, but I’m pretty sure if the run defense improves, the defense as a whole should see some major improvement.
To sum up all these numbers and bad jokes, the NFC North is legitimate. All four teams have shown significant signs that they’re good, and only getting stronger. Three out of four teams are 3-2 in their last five. It would be all four teams, but somehow ties are actually a thing in the NFL this season.
The Lions have a tough road ahead in this even tougher division. It’s fun and exciting to see the NFC North do so well, but that means that Quinn, Patricia and the boys in Honolulu blue need to put their heads down and grind if they want to win this division.
If Detroit pulls an S.O.L. move and drops a should-win game in this division, just remember, it could always be worse. They could be the Cardinals.
