After two weeks in the NFC North it looks like only two dominant, playoff-quality teams will emerge from this division. The other two teams might need to start preparing for the 2026 NFL draft. The Detroit Lions reminded the league who they are versus former coach Ben Johnson, while the other teams in the North showed us exactly what we thought they would be coming into the season.
Here are my takeaways from Week 2 in the NFC North from each team:
(2-0) Green Bay Packers
The Packers made the Lions look levels below them in Week 1 and they followed that performance up by making last year’s NFC Championship game loser, the Commanders look like a bottom team in the NFC. The Packers defense through 2 games has had 8 sacks and 3 touchdowns allowed. The addition of Micah Parsons has just maybe exceeded the impact everyone thought it would make on this defense. Not only has this defense been playing at a high level but also Jordan Love has been playing really well in the first two games. The Packers have now embarrassed two of the best NFC teams in back-to-back weeks, It is time to view them as one of the best teams in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers look legit.
(1-1) Detroit Lions
There was a lot of discussion about how much Ben Johnson was really needed in Detroit after Week one’s humbling loss. Dan Campbell and the Lions put all that talk to rest after humiliating the Chicago Bears. Jared Goff and this Lions offense gave Ben Johnson a taste of his own medicine. The Lions not only taught the Bears a lesson but they also put the league on notice that they are not going anywhere. Week one’s loss more than anything just showcased how good Green Bay truly is. Detroit still will remain a playoff team and if they don’t have to face Green Bay maybe they can make noise in the playoffs.
(1-1) Minnesota Vikings
Sunday’s game was a huge step back for J.J Mccarthy. To make matters worse Mccarthy is dealing with a high ankle sprain that will sideline him multiple weeks. Mccarthy’s injury opens the door for Carson Wentz to get his opportunity to possibly due his own Sam Darnold impression. With the weapons in place in Minnesota and Kevin O’Connell’s fantastic ability to coach quarterbacks I would not be surprised if Wentz resurrects his career too. If Wentz makes this offense look great again, that would open the door for some very interesting dialogue surrounding J.J Mccarthy.
(0-2) Chicago Bears
A long season looks even longer for the Chicago Bears after an even more humiliating loss in Week 2. Somehow with Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen the Chicago Bears look worse than they did last season. This game was somewhat of a step in the right direction for Caleb Williams but the Bears now have more concerns than just their quarterback’s play. Coming into the season not to many people thought the season would be over after two games but that is exactly where things are headed.
Overview
Not only is it still the Packers’ division to lose, but now the Packers look like clear favorites to win the entire thing. There is currently a wide gap between the Packers and the Lions. There is an even wider gap from the Packers to the Bears and the Vikings. This season I think we will see only two NFC North teams make the playoffs.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Micah’s takeaways for the NFC North after Week 2
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
