Predicting NFC North records when the calendar flips to December
The NFC North is the Detroit Lions' division to lose and the only team that looks capable of chasing them down is the Minnesota Vikings, who showed what they're capable of in a win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
If we look into the crystal ball we can glean what the North standings might look like when the calendar flips to December and everything is on the line. Does it show the Lions running away from the competition or will the Vikings make it interesting ahead of two showdowns with the Lions in Weeks 16 and 18?
Let's start with the Vikings...
- Oct. 29 @ Green Bay (2-4)
- Nov. 5 @ Atlanta (4-3)
- Nov. 12 vs. New Orleans (3-4)
- Nov. 19 @ Denver (2-5)
- Nov. 27 vs. Chicago (2-5)
If the win over San Francisco is a sign of things to come, the Vikings could be due for a significant winning streak. But these are the same Vikings that have blundered their way to losses against the Bucs, Eagles, Chargers and Chiefs. Can they play clean football and get rolling or will the roller coast ride continue?
- Best-case record entering December: 8-4
- Worst-case record entering December: 5-7
Justin Jefferson stretching for a high pass in Detroit in December 2022.
© David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Let's dig into the Lions...
- Oct. 30 vs. Las Vegas (2-4)
- Nov. 12 @ Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
- Nov. 19 vs. Chicago (2-5)
- Nov. 23 vs. Green Bay (2-4)
This looks like three wins minimum for the Lions and perhaps a clean sweep if they don't fumble at home and find a way to topple Justin Herbert and the Chargers in L.A.
- Best-case record entering December: 9-2
- Worst-case record entering December: 8-3
What does the crystal ball say for the Packers?
- Oct. 29 vs. Minnesota (3-4)
- Nov. 5 vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
- Nov. 12 @ Pittsburgh (4-2)
- Nov. 19 vs. Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
- Nov. 23 @ Detroit (5-2)
Jordan Love has four touchdowns and seven interceptions in his last four games. They have numerous injuries without definitive answers and the upcoming schedule is very difficult. We could see the Packers losing all five of their games before December. The best outcome we envision is Green Bay taking care of games at home and losing on the road.
- Best-case record entering December: 2-9
- Worst-case record entering December: 5-6
Where will the Bears be entering December?
- Oct. 29 @ Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
- Nov. 5 @ New Orleans (3-4)
- Nov. 9 vs. Carolina (0-6)
- Nov. 19 @ Detroit (5-2)
- Nov. 27 @ Minnesota (3-4)
There's no denying the Bears look better with Tyson Bagent at QB over Justin Fields and it wouldn't be shocking to see the Bears upset the Chargers amid reports that head coach Brandon Staley is losing the locker room. But the only other win we can see is when they play the Panthers on Thursday Night Football.
- Best-case record entering December: 4-8
- Worst-case record entering December: 3-9
What will happen in December?
The Packers and Bears are probably out of contention and it will take the best-case scenario for the Vikings to stay within striking distance of the Lions.
Let's say the best-case scenarios happen for Minnesota and Detroit, and the Vikings are 8-4 and trailing the 9-2 Lions in December. If that happens, the games between the division foes on Dec. 24 and Jan. 7 will likely determine the NFC North champion.
Vikings final opponents: Raiders, Bengals, Lions (twice) and Packers
Lions final opponents: Saints, Bears, Broncos, Vikings (twice) and Cowboys
