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NFC North: Bears reign, Lions falter, Vikes question QB
21 Feb
Summary
- Bears won NFC North for first time since 2018, ending Packers' dominance.
- Lions' aggressive fourth-down strategy showed a decrease in success rate.
- Vikings face QB dilemma with McCarthy's inconsistent performance.
- Packers' offense struggled, notably underutilizing Josh Jacobs.
The Chicago Bears have captured the NFC North title, marking their first division championship since 2018 and ending a long stretch dominated by the Green Bay Packers. This victory underscores a shift in the division's power dynamic, with all teams entering the 2026 offseason facing significant challenges.
The Detroit Lions, after consecutive division titles in 2023 and 2024, finished last in the division with a 9-8 record. Their aggressive fourth-down conversion strategy, a hallmark under head coach Dan Campbell since 2021, saw a decrease in success rate from 66.7 percent in the prior season to 58.1 percent in 2025, raising questions about its long-term sustainability.
The Minnesota Vikings narrowly missed a division title last season, largely due to quarterback Sam Darnold's performance. With Darnold now a Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks, the Vikings' decision to stick with J.J. McCarthy is under scrutiny. McCarthy, 23, had an inconsistent 2025 season after missing 2024 with injury, but showed promise in his final four games. Head coach Kevin O'Connell's job may depend on McCarthy leading the team to at least a 10-win season and a playoff spot in 2026.
Matt LaFleur's Green Bay Packers saw a significant drop in offensive scoring in 2025 compared to 2024, averaging 4.9 fewer points per game. Despite securing a playoff spot with a 9-7-1 record, the team lost three games by narrow margins. The offense's struggles are attributed not to quarterback Jordan Love's absence, but to the underutilization of running back Josh Jacobs, who had significantly fewer carries and rushing yards, suggesting a need to return to a run-first approach.
The NFC North champion Bears achieved seven comeback victories in 2025, primarily driven by quarterback Caleb Williams. However, their ability to maintain leads throughout entire games in 2026 is a concern, drawing parallels to the Washington Commanders' decline after a successful comeback-laden season. To repeat as champions, Chicago must improve its defense and offensive line, aiming to protect Williams, who was sacked 24 times in 2025, while increasing their pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
