Week 8 NFC North standings: Lions fall 1.5 games back

Though there is still one game left before Week 7 is completely in the books, the NFC North table is set for Week 8. The Detroit Lions sat back this week and watched as thing unfolded on Sunday. After the Week 7 dust settled, here’s how the Black and Blue division stands after seven week.s

1. Minnesota Vikings (5-2) (2-1 in division)
2. Green Bay Packers (4-3) (1-1)
3. Detroit Lions (3-3) (1-0)
4. Chicago Bears (3-4) (0-2)

Minnesota entered Week 7 atop the NFC North by way of their head-to-head tiebreaker over the Packers. However, after a Vikings win and a Packers loss, they now sit alone atop the division, with (essentially) a two-game lead over Green Bay.

Standing still, the Lions fell 0.5 game behind the Vikings and are now 1.5 games behind the division leaders. However, with that head-to-head victory over Minnesota in their back pocket, the Lions could make up ground quickly if the Vikings stumble along the way. However, the Lions face off against the Steelers this week while the Vikings have the Browns.

Then there’s the Bears. Chicago took down the Panthers on Sunday and remain just two games back from the top of the division and a half game behind the Lions. If Chicago can continue to contend with the NFC’s best, they could have a legitimate shot at the postseason. However, those two early division losses have already put them in a pretty big hole. They’ll have a chance to finally notch their first win in the NFC North in Week 10 when they host the Aaron Rodgers-less Green Bay Packers.