No, you didn’t misread this headline. Despite only winning one game over the last four weeks, the Green Bay Packers are now sitting in the second spot in the NFC after the Detroit Lions lost to the Kansas
City Chiefs 30-17 on Sunday Night Football in Week 6.
If the Packers can get it done against the Arizona Cardinals next week, they’ll either be leading the NFC in Week 7 or will have more than a full-game lead over the rest of the NFC North, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play against the Detroit Lions. (I refuse to consider a tie.)
Let’s take you through the full NFC standings and the results from this week’s action.
Week 7 NFC Standings
#1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
The Buccaneers got into a shootout that featured the two teams combining for over 700 yards. Even without key players, Tampa Bay managed to beat the San Francisco 49ers 30-19. Their leading receiver was Kameron Johnson, an undrafted receiver from Barton College who only played 47 snaps of offense all last season.
#2: Green Bay Packers (3-1-1)
THE PACKERS WIN THEIR FIRST GAME SINCE SEPTEMBER 11TH. WE LOVE THAT. BACK IN THE LEAD FOR THE NFC NORTH.
#3: San Francisco 49ers (4-2)
Enough with the Mac Jones fan fiction. Tom Brady isn’t walking through that door, San Francisco. Jones was sacked six times and threw two interceptions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 30-19 loss. He also fumbled once.
#4: Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
The Eagles lost an embarrassing game on Thursday Night Football, where the reigning Super Bowl champions lost to a 1-4 New York Giants team 34-17. Now, everyone in Philadelphia is arguing about how Jalen Hurts can get A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith the ball, if he even can. Former Packer AJ Dillon fumbled twice on the same drive in this game.
#5: Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
The Seahawks are just two weird end-of-game situations away from being undefeated. Do not sleep on them being able to go on a run. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is getting Sam Darnold to put up MVP numbers. He’ll get a head coaching look this offseason. They beat a good Jacksonville Jaguars team 20-12 on Sunday.
#6: Detroit Lions (4-2)
The Lions lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 30-17. Their banged-up secondary now gets to play the NFC-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week. So Green Bay’s divisional odds or number one seed odds will take a huge jump, depending on the outcome of that one.
#7: Los Angeles Rams (4-2)
Not much to say here, considering Los Angeles got to play the husk of the current Baltimore Ravens, who played both Cooper Rusher and Tyler Huntley at quarterback this week. The Rams won 17-3.
#8: Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
Bye week.
#9: Washington Commanders (3-2)
The Commanders will play the Chicago Bears in the second leg of the Monday Night Football doubleheader.
#10: Carolina Panthers (3-3)
Carolina’s offense is inconsistent as hell this year. These are the points they’ve put up in order: 10, 22, 30, 13, 24 and 30. It’s a little surprising they won a 30-27 shootout against the Dallas Cowboys.
#11: Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
The Falcons will play the AFC-leading Buffalo Bills in the first Monday Night Football game of the doubleheader.
#12: Chicago Bears (2-2)
The Bears will play the Washington Commanders in the second leg of the Monday Night Football doubleheader.
#13: Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1)
It’s The Dak Prescott Show in Dallas. He threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers, while his ground game turned 19 carries into just 31 yards. Meanwhile, his defense gave up 410 yards.
#14: Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
Green Bay’s next opponent is desperate for a win, coming off three straight losses. Their most recent featured a Jacoby Brissett start at quarterback, with Kyler Murray dealing with a foot injury. 2024 first-round pick receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. dropped out of the 31-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts due to a concussion, too.
#15: New York Giants (2-4)
A perfect storm led to the Giants beating the Philadelphia Eagles 34-17 on Thursday Night Football. I’m still not bought into Jaxson Dart, who needs to scramble around way more than the average NFL quarterback, but it worked in Week 6.
#16: New Orleans Saints (1-5)
The Saints lost to the New England Patriots 25-19. They should start thinking about selling off pieces at this point.
