Vikings Loss Helps Detroit Lions Improve Playoff Standings, Though Bears Remain Ahead in NFC North

Detroit builds divisional momentum

Detroit improved to 6-2 with Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins, extending its winning run to four games. The team’s recent stretch includes victories over Green Bay and Minnesota in Weeks 7 and 8.

The Lions have won both of their divisional games, making them the only NFC North team without a division loss. Minnesota has beaten Chicago and Green Bay but lost to Detroit; Green Bay has beaten Chicago and lost to both Detroit and Minnesota. Chicago has yet to win within the division, with a Thanksgiving matchup against Detroit ahead.

North standings and playoff field

The NFC North standings listed are Chicago at 7-2, Detroit and Minnesota at 6-2, and Green Bay at 6-3. The article says all four teams have at least six wins through nine weeks, but its Green Bay record is 6-3, which also represents six wins.

In the listed NFC playoff standings, San Francisco is first at 7-1, followed by Chicago at 7-2. The New York Giants are third at 5-2-1, Carolina is fourth at 3-5, and Detroit, Minnesota and Green Bay occupy the final three spots.

Other NFC races take shape

The San Francisco 49ers hold the NFC’s top seed with a 7-1 record. The article says the Wild Card contest could involve the three NFC North teams that do not win the division, along with the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, both listed at 5-4.

The NFC East is led by the New York Giants at 5-2-1, while Carolina leads the NFC South at 3-5. Carolina is ahead of New Orleans through a head-to-head win; the Buccaneers and Falcons are both 3-6 and have not had their bye weeks.

The article identifies Dallas as the only other NFC team with at least four wins beyond the teams discussed. It says the team currently holding the seventh and final playoff position is 6-3, making the climb difficult for teams with three or fewer wins.