Who will win the NFC North? Standings, playoff picture, predictions Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYDecember 25, 2025 at 6:03 AM 0 Who will win the NFC North? Standings, playoff picture, predictions A year ago, the NFC North was the best division in the NFL. The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears combined for an NFLbest record of 4523. Things have looked similar but slightly different in 2025. The division is set to have one of the highest win totals leaguewide but the heirarchy's changed.
- - Who will win the NFC North? Standings, playoff picture, predictions
Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYDecember 25, 2025 at 6:03 AM
0
Who will win the NFC North? Standings, playoff picture, predictions
A year ago, the NFC North was the best division in the NFL. The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears combined for an NFL-best record of 45-23.
Things have looked similar but slightly different in 2025.
The division is set to have one of the highest win totals league-wide but the heirarchy's changed. Detroit's won the last two division titles; now they're eliminated from contention with two games to go. Instead, it's the Bears and Packers vying for the crown and a home playoff game.
Chicago's resurgence has come thanks to a new coaching staff and improvement from multiple players. The top-10 scoring offense boasts the second-best rushing attack in the league and an improving Caleb Williams at quarterback. The defense thrives off a league-high 31 turnovers to keep their offense ahead.
Green Bay's defense terrified opposing offenses for much of the year. That's taken a hit with star Micah Parsons' season-ending injury but they're still a top-10 unit by points and yards allowed while the offense continues to churn out yards and points at a very efficient rate.
Detroit and Minnesota meet on Christmas almost exactly a year after playing for the NFC North title. Neither will take the crown in 2025 as it's down to the two teams who weren't in the mix last season.
Here's a look at the standings and our prediction for who will take the division this season:
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XDWkmeO class=caas-img data-headline="Best images of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" src=https://ift.tt/XDWkmeO class=caas-img>
1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
NFC North standings
Here's how things look entering Week 17:
Chicago Bears (11-4, 2-3 NFC North)
Green Bay Packers (9-5-1, 4-1)
Detroit Lions (8-7, 1-3)
Minnesota Vikings (7-8, 2-2)
Detroit is still in the hunt for a playoff spot but they'd need help from the Packers losing out to get there. Minnesota's won three in a row but it's come too late to change their postseason outlook.
NFC playoff picture -
Seattle Seahawks (12-3; NFC West leaders)*
Chicago Bears (11-4; NFC North leaders)*
Philadelphia Eagles (10-5; NFC East leaders)*
Carolina Panthers (8-7; NFC South leaders)
San Francisco 49ers (11-4; wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Rams (11-4; wild card No. 2)*
Green Bay Packers (9-5-1; wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-7); Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
Asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff berth.
Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings (7-8); Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1); Atlanta Falcons (6-9); New Orleans Saints (5-10); Washington Commanders (4-11); Arizona Cardinals (3-12); New York Giants (2-13)
NFC North predictions
The weeks are ticking down in the regular season. A massive Week 16 overtime win for the Bears over the Packers solidified what looks to be the final hierarchy for the division this year.
Chicago heads on the road to take on San Francisco in Week 17 and then heads home to face Detroit in Week 18. Green Bay may be without starting quarterback Jordan Love as he goes through concussion protocol when they host Baltimore in Week 17 before finishing the season on the road against Minnesota.
To take the division title, Green Bay needs to win out and have Chicago lose both of its final two games. The latter is certainly possible; Detroit beat Chicago in Week 2 and San Francisco's won five in a row. Winning out without Love for at least one matchup could be what dooms the Packers' chances of capturing their first NFC North crown since 2021.
With that, the Bears will split their final two games and that's enough to make sure they take the NFC North title. Ideally, they lose to the 49ers to force a must-win Week 18 divisional game – a treat in the regular season finale.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will win the NFC North? Bears or Packers to break title drought
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: December 25, 2025 at 01:27PM on Source: ANDY MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle