NFC North Standings: Sizing Up The Division Heading Into Week 8

by Sean Yuille on Oct 25, 2010 3:38 AM EDT in NFC North

The Lions' bye week is winding down, and soon they will start preparing for their Week 8 matchup against the Redskins. Before we start looking ahead to Washington, though, I want to take a quick look at where the NFC North stands following seven weeks of action this season:

Team	W	L	T	Pct.	PF	PA	Net	Div.
Chicago Bears	4	3	0	.571	126	114	+12	2-0
Green Bay Packers	4	3	0	.571	167	136	+31	2-1
Minnesota Vikings	2	4	0	.333	111	116	-5	1-1
Detroit Lions	1	5	0	.167	146	140	+6	0-3

So what have the first seven weeks taught us? My observations for each team are after the jump.

The Bears got off to a good start this season record-wise, but they are the very definition of a fraud (as we all expected from the very beginning). They should have lost to the Lions in Week 1; their offensive line is a mess; Jay Cutler is back to his interception-happy ways; and now their deficiencies are finally catching up with them. I expect the Bears to continue to struggle as time goes by, although having a bye next week will give them a chance to try and put the pieces back together.
The Packers are the best team in the division, but they are having such a tough time staying healthy that it doesn't always show. They definitely have their weaknesses, as the Lions showed in their game a few weeks back, but I think if the Packers can maintain even a decent level of health the rest of the year, they will pull away to win the NFC North.
There's not much that needs to be said about the Vikings right now. Brett Favre looks like a mess physically and I'm sure mentally he can't be doing much better with the whole Jenn Sterger controversy out there. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he packs it in midway through the season if the Vikings continue to play their way out of contention for a playoff berth, especially since it seems like him and Brad Childress are about to reach their boiling point.
The Lions have played better than their record shows, but unfortunately that doesn't mean anything in the standings. It would sure be nice if Detroit had a second victory right now, as they would still be in the hunt for a division title going forward. With a 1-5 record, though, staying in contention won't be easy and will take a spectacular second half run. I'm not ready to write the possibility off altogether, but at this point I'm more concerned about Detroit picking up a second victory rather than making a run at the division title.

Overall, the NFC North doesn't appear to be a very strong division, but then again, you can say that about a lot of divisions in the NFL right now. Parity is definitely alive and well in the NFL this season, and what that means for the Lions is that even at 1-5, they still can make things interesting in the second half of the season. That might not amount to anything more than climbing out of the cellar of the NFC North, but hey, that would be progress from past seasons. Besides, anything beyond a third-place finish seems unlikely no matter how bad the Bears are looking right now. It's tough to overcome a three-game deficit no matter who you are, so unless the Lions put together an extended winning streak, I can't see it happening.

Regardless, I'm just glad that the rest of the division isn't greatly separated from Detroit. For example, the Vikings head to New England next week and will be favored to lose. A Detroit victory over Washington would move the Lions into a third-place tie with Minnesota (if the Vikings go down) and move them just a little bit closer to the Bears. At the very least, hopefully the Lions play well enough going forward to allow us to continue talking about the NFC North standings, even if it isn't about first or second place. Obviously that's what I'd much rather be talking about, but for now I will settle for discussing scenarios in which the Lions can start to move eye to eye with Minnesota. That's certainly better than nothing.

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The Vikings are like a Train Wreck!

I know I’ll be driving by a couple times Tomorrow, just to check out the Carnage….

8====D my lil' j16941

by j16941 on Oct 25, 2010 6:37 AM EDT reply actions

LoL I should check out the Daily Norsemen

I have to say that while it would be awesome to be in 1st or 2nd I am not going to pin my hopes on that.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Oct 25, 2010 7:17 AM EDT reply actions

They are in full whine mode over the reffing. Cry.Me.A.River.

I did not see much of the game, but the team that got hosed on Sunday was Miami. I can’t believe the refs did not try and sort out who recovered the fumble in the end zone. That was sloppy. But I guess in the Refs’ minds the play was over and it was a TD. You would think they would know better by now.

By the way, I think it is pretty much written in stone that the home team gets less penalties and more favourable calls in football. That probably goes for every sport known to man. It is just part of the game.

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 25, 2010 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions

fun fact...

The player who actually handed the ball to the Ref after that whole scrum, was none other than the former Lion, DE Ikaika Alama-Francis.

If you hand the ball to the Ref, doesn’t that mean that you recovered it. I guess in the absence of a Lions Game, the Refs chose to Screw a former Lion.

8====D my lil' j16941

by j16941 on Oct 25, 2010 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Head Linesman is to blame

The HL blew the whistle and signaled touchdown without a clear view of the ball. Steratore made the correct call….unfortunately it’s a call he shouldn’t have had to make. The one view of where the fumble was loose was obstructed by the back judge and there was no clear angle to what player definitively recovered the fumble. There were three Dolphins and one Steeler in the area, so it stands to reason the Dolphins had the best chance at being the ones that recovered it (and I firmly believe that did recover it). However, since there was that one Steeler and there is no angle that shows a Dolphin actually recover it (and we all know a ball can change hands in a scrum) the ref made the right call in the situation. The HL made the call without ever seeing the ball cross the plane. They had the camera on the goaline on his side. He called it as soon as Rothlesdicks head crossed the goal line. Poor call that hosed the Dolphins, but sadly correct interpretation of the rule by Gene Steratore.

Side note….Steratore and, I think they said the HL, are from Pennsylvania…..just saying

by BBlades on Oct 25, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

So Steelers fans favoring Steelers.

by Doc Scratch on Oct 25, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree BB, his logic was correct and well explained.

It is their failure to establish who recovered the fumble, which they could have easily done, that potentially cost Miami the game. Although Miami had over two minutes to go down the field and kick a field goal to win the game. Full credit to the Steelers defence for shutting them down on the last drive.

One problem though with letting the players fight and claw AFTER the whistle has been blown; someone could get hurt and you would be hard pressed to throw a flag for late hitting.

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 25, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I absolutely hate doing this .........but....................

… a win against either Chicago or Green Bay earlier this season and I would like our chances to win the division. We are in a deep hole now, and need pretty much a minimum of nine wins out of the last ten games. That would include all three games at home against our division opponents.

DAMN!

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 25, 2010 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

I just love when what I expected weeks a go comes to fruitition.

I just knew both CHI and MINN were going to fall apart, when the season started. It just took a tad longer then I expected.

by delusional on Oct 25, 2010 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

you might call me crazy

The Lions could become spoilers if they play to their potential. The Patriots game could be a W. They will be tough at home as they get healthier… San Diego almost came back and won last night against New England. Jets loss. Miami loss…..besides those two losses the Lions could win the remiajning games (IF they play to their potential) 5-11 to 7-9 is a reality. With Bretts issues, Green Bays injurys and the Chicago Bears suck… The Lions at the end of the season will be at third or better

GO LIONS in 2010! They are better than you think... You better not overlook these boys.. They are about to take control. So close!!!

by DINORDO on Oct 25, 2010 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

Miami seems beatable.

Are we playing them at home?

by Doc Scratch on Oct 25, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

No, we are playing them at Miami.

I still think we could beat them. We would be considered a big underdog though.

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 25, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting game

I think Detroit wins that one if and only if they win the turnover battle. Miami’s rush attack is relentless, but not overly explosive. Against Detroit’s weak rush defense, the Dolphins are likely to march up and down the field. If they end all those long drives with ugly turnovers like they did against the Patriots though, then those long drives don’t really mean anything.

Big plays on offense and bend but don’t break on defense are the keys to stopping Miami.

by AJSmitty on Oct 25, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Miami has not won a home game yet

Lets hope that streak keeps going once the Lions come to town.

by Motown_Soldier on Oct 25, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd be thrilled

With a second place finish in the division. Detroit gets a chance to get one back from all of their divisional opponents, and Minnesota and Chicago both look very, very surmountable.

Looking ahead I see four games that I think are definite wins barring injury (knock on wood), five games that are winnable, and one game that looks, to me, like a pretty obvious loss.

I’ll be disappointed with another cellar finish, happy with third, thrilled with second, and might need to wear a condom in the event of any accidents I’d make in my pants in the event of a first place finish.

by AJSmitty on Oct 25, 2010 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

Which is the obvious loss AJ?

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 25, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm NOT optimistic about the Jets

Any given Sunday and all that aside, I think they’ll run all over Detroit and do enough defensively to stifle the Lion offense.

Hope I’m wrong though, and I’m no professional analyst.

by AJSmitty on Oct 25, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

That's who I thought you might have meant. Although......

….after watching the Raiders annihilate the Broncos in Denver, you have to wonder why the hell the Jets needed that interference call to win that game.

I still think that Sanchez is the weak link. If the Lions can shut down the run game, somewhat, and put the game on Sanchez, I think they can win.

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 25, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I know it is turkey day

but I am looking at a Pats team that is finding its groove and winning games in the same fashion they did in their Superbowl run years. Extremely young team playing hard fought drag em out games, almost always closely contested. Minimal mistakes. Far more smart coaching than not.

at 5-1 they are looking legit in an otherwise extremely parity driven league. Plus we play them in our only prime time game and old Bill always his best plans for those games.

I am not saying they are going to crush us on Tday. I just think we have a better chance against the Jets.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Oct 25, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I picked the Pats to go to the Super Bowl, and win it, glad they are not embarassing me

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Oct 25, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I can see that

I think the Pats game is the “next least winnable game” (Trademark!) on the schedule.

For me though, the Pats have yet to look good all year long. The Jets have actively impressed me at times, but the Pats have gotten by on what, IMO, has been a lot of smoke and mirrors. The problem for me is drawing the line between luck and skill in the Patriot wins, they’ve seemed more lucky than good at times, but sometimes good teams make their own luck, I don’t know.

I see the Patriots as a team that lacks big play ability at the moment, and as a team that has a secondary that extremely vulnerable to the big play. That’s a pretty good match-up for the Lions. I have no idea how NE will stop a healthy Detroit passing game; they don’t have the pass rush or the coverage players to handle the underneath routes or the deep routes. I think it might turn into a shootout, with Detroit having the edge in big plays.

But again, it’s the game I’m least confident in after the Jets.

by AJSmitty on Oct 25, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd love to see the Lions win on Thanksgiving in these sweet throwbacks

Something I can’t remember happening, it’s been that long?

I don’t want add player does not have blue collar mentality,
even if he is great player. Piston should not quit your job. - OK from J

by Skylar on Oct 26, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I think

the last time the Lions won on Thanksgiving wearing those uniforms…they weren’t throw backs. jk

by BBlades on Oct 26, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow

look at that spread. No Homo, I think.

If you can't spell practise write, then dont repond!

by FMFDOC8404 on Oct 28, 2010 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Could be a fun year

While I don’t see the Lions winning the NFC North it could be a fun year. At this point, the Lions and Packers have the offense, the Bears and Vikings the defense. Nobody seems that great. 9 and 7 could win it this year.

by RedWingGuy on Oct 25, 2010 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

I don't see favre leaving uless he is asked to

I think they will ride with him this year and see what happens. Next year they better be looking to get a Mallett or Locker or make it clear T jack is the guy or there screwed. Based on how they played last year you can’t blame them for going after Brett. I think IF we can win 2 of are division games left we could still finish 3rd in the division. The NFC period seems to bre in the whole right now. The Browns…. THE BROWNS! best the Saints that is on target for how the whole confrence has been playing.

You can't keep the Pain Train off the tracks!

Me fail english thats umpossible

by The Profiler on Oct 25, 2010 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

word.

by CLF on Oct 25, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Just a heads up for POD’ers going over to the Hog Heaven sight….

Those guys are touchier than a…. (insert analogy of choice)….

by CLF on Oct 25, 2010 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

lmao

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Oct 25, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

That shit happens...When you overspend, yet you still suck.

by delusional on Oct 25, 2010 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I checked Hog Heaven...

and why the hell do they think that was talking shit. And they come back with much worse trash talk, and get pissy when anyone has a rebuttal. All this coming from a team that we BEAT last year, so if we are such a shitty team, how did that happen.

Not to mention the originality of “Detroit is the arm pit of America”. As if DC is any better, they compare to Detroit as far as unemployment and crime goes, not to mention all of the crimes that happen in the government that aren’t considered. And getting personal with DLions4Eva is the worst part of all, fuck ’em.

I signed up for a membership, and I’ll accept the ban from Ho’ Heaven if we win on Sunday.

by lions_sucker on Oct 25, 2010 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm gonna be there tomorrow as well

It’s crazy how sometimes on these Detroit SN blogs, someone will jump out of the woodwork and ask for a cut down on the swearing. Then, you go to most other teams and the mods just let everyone say whatever they want. If HH was run decently, the guy with the personal comment would have been banned yesterday.

by Elfuego51 on Oct 25, 2010 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

They should be

They’re one of the exclusive members in the club that have an active losing streak against us.

by Elfuego51 on Oct 25, 2010 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

We could easily first in the division if we could have beat Green Bay and Chicago.

Honolulu Blue - Honolulublueblog.blogspot.com - A blog dedicated to the Detroit Lions

by LionRoss on Oct 25, 2010 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

That Chicago eff up could be huge

7-9 wins the division this year.

by Elfuego51 on Oct 25, 2010 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

The Lions can beat anybody

if they can get their heads out of their asses and stop committing stupid penalties. Lining up offsides is inexcusable, look at the damn ball! Sure they get hosed quite a bit but a lot of those penalties can clearly be seen in the replays. With Stafford coming back, the only team that should really beat the Lions, are the Lions.

by taydor b on Oct 25, 2010 7:15 PM EDT reply actions

agreed

our penalties and turnovers have really hurt us, we can be a high-caliber team all we need is to focus and get our stuff and plan straight. Yes Patriots are Hard yes the Jets are hard, but at the time (supposedly) the Bears, Vikings and GB were a challenge when we played them. While the aforementioned teams are not the same as the Jets and the Patriots, they were a challenge

I have faith in my team and I will root for them till the end!

by Usman 'Uzi' Altafullah on Oct 25, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

illegal fomation

I have never reallly understood that call I knw it has to deal with position on the line of scrimmage but it seems many teams are often being penalized for that call. Please explain any? In closing it seems like those guys get paid millions ,it seems they should know where to line up.

by devinb on Oct 25, 2010 9:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

A lot of times

It’s a slot receiver or TE that lines up a bit closer to scrimmage than usual, so these guys who get “paid millions” look like they’re further from the line than usual, when really they’ve done nothing wrong, it’s just relative position misleads judges a lot.

The rest of the time it’s that the Lions are winning/competing/not getting blown out, and the judges need to grasp at straws to earn their kickbacks.

by Mavyrk on Oct 25, 2010 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Like I said... I'd be surprised if Favre makes it through the season

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5726694

He might not play Sunday.

Pride of Detroit, for Lions fans | SB Nation Detroit, for Detroit-area sports fans

by Sean Yuille on Oct 25, 2010 7:17 PM EDT reply actions

He is a tough guy....I'll give him that.

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 25, 2010 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

holy god

He is not even close to being one of my favorite humans let along NFL players but I will give him this. He is one old school, tough ass SOB.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Oct 25, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

tough...

or egotistical to the point of ignorance. Just saying.

by lions_sucker on Oct 25, 2010 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I just don't think he's that bright

Doesn’t realize anything he says or does makes him look egotistical. Like this offseason’s version of the Retirement Game.

by Elfuego51 on Oct 25, 2010 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Bretts a true football player.

He has won a lot of games and taken a lot of hits. I give him props for that and I’m also glad that the Lions won’t be facing him much longer.

by coolbreeze42 on Oct 25, 2010 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

defeated

Am I the only one that thought he looked completely defeated during his press conference after the game? Leaving the stage he looked like an old man that needed a cane.

by BBlades on Oct 26, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah but.

He smiles so pretty when he wears them Wranglers in them there commercials.

by Mavyrk on Oct 26, 2010 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions

A few people have hit on him being egotistical......I would call it just plain selfish.

I remember seeing him playing late in games that were blow outs and wondered what the hell was going on. He would take every damn snap in the game, no matter the score. I am no psychiatrist, but Favre seems very insecure and selfish.

I also wonder about the Head Coaches of those Packer teams. Were they so dominated by Favre that they could not tell him to sit down and let the back up [Hasselbeck or Rodgers or whoever] take the last series or two? I guess it is tough for a coach to tell a living legend to sit down.

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 26, 2010 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Favre is an egotist and true competitor.

He’s a flake who throws the game away for you too sometimes, but there’s a reason the Vikes want(ed) him ssgo bad. He’s a competitor and despite alienating his former teams, he gets guys to follow him on the field and the fanbase loves him.

Personally I find him pretty disgusting after what he did to his wife. Many Sports stars are egotists, but he’s just plain immoral. I sincerely doubt he finishes his final season- the injuries are really mounting on that old body of his.

joshsun called him old school and tough- Favre is definitely both of those things.

I don’t want add player does not have blue collar mentality,
even if he is great player. Piston should not quit your job. - OK from J

by Skylar on Oct 26, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

He's always entertaining to watch in a game.

by coolbreeze42 on Oct 26, 2010 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Wrangler Open Fly Jeans!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCEaY099W4k

8====D my lil' j16941

by j16941 on Oct 26, 2010 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions

kevin smith # 34

What’s everyones take on smiity?Do you guys think smith will be back next season? I feel he is an asset in the backfield and I wish jimbo would have more faith in him.He has good hands,excellent on picking up blitzes ,and a true warrior like alfonso smith I duno I guess we will see.

by devinb on Oct 25, 2010 9:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think he will come on strong this season near the end of it.

by coolbreeze42 on Oct 25, 2010 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

MNF bringing back memories

The Kitna/Williams connection is on full throttle and going nowhere as usual.

by Elfuego51 on Oct 25, 2010 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

we've got the same record* as the cowboys

That’s got to count for something.

I actually consider us to be 2-4 right now, but I’m totally not bitter about it.*

**I lied

by simscity on Oct 26, 2010 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah.

And there are still “Can the cowboys make the playoffs?” articles EVERYWHERE, and no one mentions the clearly better Lions whatsoever.

by Mavyrk on Oct 26, 2010 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think the division is out of reach

But it’s gonna be one hell of a climb to get back into contention. Things need to start heading in our direction, and for a long time.

RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.

by Hyperion Ecta on Oct 26, 2010 3:39 AM EDT reply actions

Nine out of ten will do it I think, as long as our one loss is to an AFC team.

Looking at the NFC this year I believe we will see at least one 9 and 7 team make the playoffs. Most likely to represent the West conference. God, those teams blow. And the Lions only get to play the Rams.

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 26, 2010 7:19 AM EDT up reply actions

With the penalities, blown coverages, and strange playcalling

There is really no chance the Lions win 9 games this season. I know you guys have been watching the same games I have. I love those guys and watch every game I can, but to win 9 games would mean no rust on Stafford, no more big injuries, and a total about-face in terms of game time discipline. Like I said, no chance.

I don’t want add player does not have blue collar mentality,
even if he is great player. Piston should not quit your job. - OK from J

by Skylar on Oct 26, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

No chance? Really?

I dunno, maybe I am really optimistic, but I believe that it is possible that we can win eight of the last ten. The NFL is really odd this year, especially the NFC, and I don’t see that the Lions have to raise their level of play much to turn those close losses into wins.

I think we have a chance, but it is small.

by NorthLeft12 on Oct 26, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions