How the NFC North Completely Flipped in One Season
The NFC North has once again turned into a roller-coaster season. After a historic 2024 where the Detroit Lions dominated in the regular season with a 15–2 record and the Minnesota Vikings ended the season with an impressive 14-3 record, the division combined for one of the best winning percentages in league history. The division finished with 3 of 4 NFC North teams in the playoffs, including the Green Bay Packers, which finished the season with a respectable 11-6 record.
Personnel changes, including free agency, trades, and coaching staff turnover, have reshaped the division standings. After the conclusion of the regular season, the Chicago Bears sit atop the division at 11–6, followed by the Green Bay Packers at 9–7–1, and the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, both left out of the playoffs at 9–8.
By winning against the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day, the Vikings swept the season series and have the tiebreaker to avoid officially being last in the NFC North this season. A literal flip in the standings from a year ago.
So how did we get here? Why has the division been turned on its head this year? Well, I take a stab at my view on what I think every team did that changed their fortunes in 2025, and what they should try to do in the offseason.
Chicago Bears (11–6) — From worst to first
The Bears have been the surprise of the NFC North in 2025. After a 5–12 finish in 2024, Chicago has turned things around in a big way under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Coach Johnson has worked with quarterback Caleb Williams to unlock an offense that struggled last year. This season is a different story.
The offense has become more dynamic and efficient, utilizing its offensive weapons, while the defense has generated the league’s most takeaways (33) and has the league’s best turnover differential at +22. This turnover stat alone is a big reason for their success, propelling the Bears into first place and clinching the division for the first time since 2018.
Why they improved:
- Coaching change with the addition of Head Coach Ben Johnson
- Takeaway Differential at +22
- Young talent emerging in the development of Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze in year 2.
Questions for the offseason:
- Is the Chicago Bears’ record a product of a 4th-place schedule after going 2-4 in the division?
- Do the Bears trade D.J. Moore with Luther Burden going into his sophomore year and playing similar roles?
- Can the Bears sustain this level of success with the volume of turnovers and only having a +26 point differential on the season?
Green Bay Packers (9–7–1) — Playoffs again, but with the same result as 2024?
The Packers remain relevant with another playoff berth. Green Bay’s season was injected with a shot of Micah Parsons that took the league by surprise, acquiring one of the league’s best pass rushers. They were a league favorite to win it all, but injuries and spotty play from both offense and defense have defined the season.
Parsons is out for the season, and rotating injuries to receivers, the offensive line, and, recently, even Jordan Love have sidetracked the hype about where this season ends for the Packers. Malik Willis, who has filled in with eyebrow-raising performances filling in at quarterback, may likely be on another team in 2026, as he has shown enough to get the Sam Darnold treatment and another shot as a starter.
Why the Packers are back in the playoff mix:
- Timely wins against key opponents.
- Middle of the pack in most key stats such as takeaways, points, and points against.
- The Packers’ addition of Micah Parsons during the season was a jolt for the defense.
Areas of concern this season:
- Ability to win in close games by going 4-4-1 in 2025 in games decided by seven points or less. Losses to teams like the Browns and the Panthers in those games stand out.
Questions for the offseason:
- Can Green Bay bolster its various defensive holes?
- Is Micah Parsons back from his ACL injury to start in 2026?
- Do the Packers still think Jordan Love is the long-term answer at quarterback if they suffer another first-round exit with his past issues with turnovers in the playoffs?
Minnesota Vikings (9–8) — Salary Cap Trouble & QB Questions
The Vikings have had a streaky season. A five-game winning streak to end the season surely prevented severe turnover in the coaching staff, and perhaps even for GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah from being on the hot seat.
But an underwhelming season coming off a 14-win season and now on the outside of the playoff picture has still left a bad taste in the mouths of many. To see this team at 4-8 and still have the drive and momentum to finish the season at 9-8, sweep and eliminate the Detroit Lions, and go 4-2 in the division, shows the potential this team has.
The biggest factor? Quarterback play and health throughout the team, to include starting QB J.J. McCarthy, in addition to the offensive line that saw numerous combinations to plug holes from injuries all year. Underestimated all season was a defense that played admirably, even dominant at times, though it was on the field way too often and in bad situations due to turnovers.
Factors at play:
- A strong defense keeps this team in games, but an offense that lacked consistency, struggled to extend drives, and had poor redzone efficiency.
- Missed opportunities in close losses that could have shifted their trajectory. If the Vikings prevent a long kickoff return against the Bears in Week 11, they would have finished the season 10-7 with a tiebreaker over Chicago for the series sweep and would be the #3 seed in the playoffs.
Questions for the offseason:
- Is J.J. McCarthy the starter in 2026, and which level of quarterback is brought in to either compete to be the starter or be a competent backup?
- Which personnel upgrades are needed due to some possible retirements, salary cap casualties, and injuries?
- Can Minnesota find success on the offensive side of the ball to complement the defense and win more games?
- Is Brian Flores back as the Defensive Coordinator and mastermind, or do the Vikings have to pivot to a hire from within (Daronte Jones) to maintain the Flores scheme? Do the Vikings decide to try to make a splash with a big-name former head coach like Raheem Morris or Jonathan Gannon?
Detroit Lions (8–8) — From the Best to the Basement
The Lions entered 2025 with high expectations after their historic 15–2 run in 2024, but lost their roar. Detroit’s season was a big disappointment, fluctuating between brilliance and frustration. After being embarrassed by the Vikings on Christmas Day, they were eliminated from the playoffs.
The Lions’ season remains puzzling. Their offense ranks fifth in total yards and tied for fourth in points scored. Their defense is tied with the Vikings for fourth in sacks. So how did they lose eight games with Jared Goff’s 4,500 passing yards, 34 TDs, 6 INTs, plus decent play out of superstars Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown? This is arguably the league’s most surprising non-playoff team, even compared to the Chiefs. Offensive coordinator John Morton has already been fired.
Why they regressed:
- Detroit went only 2-4 in the NFC North and was swept by the Vikings and Packers.
- Losses to playoff contenders like the Eagles, Rams, and Steelers. Only the two wins this season versus the Bears count as wins versus teams with a winning record.
- Playing a 1st Place schedule and losing close games.
- Lost both their Offensive and Defensive Coordinators from 2024.
Questions for the offseason:
- Do more changes need to be made in the coaching staff after a steep drop from the NFC’s best to worst in the division?
- Can this team get back on top with now a much easier schedule in 2026?
What’s Next for the NFC North and the Vikings?
The NFC North this season has proven that parity is alive and well. A team that was at the bottom is now on top as division champs; a Super Bowl contender is scratching its head, trying to figure out what happened; and two others with recent postseason pedigree are asking fundamental questions about their future. Each franchise heads into the offseason with a different outlook from just a year ago, and all four may be capable of winning the North in 2026.
What is certain is that the Vikings will have their hands full in a division where every team finishes with a winning record and has a clear solution at QB. Meanwhile, Minnesota will be going into the offseason with media and talking heads throwing guesses at the dart board on what Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell will do at the position next season.