Packers’ Week 15 collapse sends shockwaves through the NFC North, and the latest power rankings don’t pull any punches.QQ
The Green Bay Packers are now 9-4-1 on the season and saw their four-game winning streak come to an end thanks to the Denver Broncos in Week 15. Micah Parsons also tore his ACL and is likely out for the next 9-12 months, which is just a brutal dose of reality.
Green Bay’s season may have drastically changed, but the team can still take the NFC North back if they beat the Chicago Bears this coming weekend. With the regression from the Detroit Lions, the Packers and Bears are going to be the two teams to follow down the stretch in the NFC North.
Let’s power rank the deep and talented NFC North following Week 15 action.
Packers still in a solid spot in updated NFC North power rankings following Week 15
4. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have gotten two straight very strong performances from second-year QB J.J. McCarthy, so that is at least something Minnesota can hang its hat on late in the season.
The Vikings will miss the playoffs and have a huge decision to make at the QB position in a couple of months, but if these McCarthy performances are genuine, they will ride into 2026 with him as the starter for a huge year three.
3. Detroit Lions
The Packers swept the Lions, and those two losses loom large. Green Bay is clear of Detroit and will compete with Chicago for the division title. The Lions have regressed, as the defensive side of the ball is a total liability for them right now. However, they still have a path to the playoffs by winning out, which would require defeating the Bears at Soldier Field.
2. Green Bay Packers
It was a brutal Sunday afternoon for the Packers in Week 15, as they had a two-possession lead in Denver but ended up losing by eight points and losing Micah Parsons for 9-12 months with a torn ACL.
It was, unfortunately, a non-contact injury for Parsons, and his great first season with the Packers is now over. Green Bay is still very much alive in the NFC North and could take the division back for the time being with a win in Chicago in Week 16. The Packers can still win the division, but their Super Bowl hopes take a hit without Parsons.
1. Chicago Bears
The Bears throttled the Cleveland Browns at home in Week 15 and took first place back in the division. On that note, the Packers losing to the Browns earlier this year is simply a loss that could end up deciding the NFC North race.
Heck, the tie against the Dallas Cowboys was a bit ridiculous, too. Anyway, the Packers are the more talented team and did beat the Bears a couple of weeks ago. The hope here is that the overall inexperience of the Bears comes through, allowing Green Bay to capitalize and take the division back.
A huge game awaits at Soldier Field on Sunday.
