The NFC North has quickly been flipped, and it is now centered around two teams that not too long ago were the punching bags of the division. The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings are only getting better. The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers are getting beaten in primetime games. Once former Trojan Caleb Williams returns, the Bears should take back control of this division.
Here are my takeaways from Week 4 in the NFC North from each team:
(4-0) Minnesota Vikings
This may be the least impressive undefeated team in the league. The offense has clear limitations. Kyler Murray is still trying to find his rhythm. Thanks to Brian Flores, this team has given each of their first opponents no room to breathe. The Vikings' defense is elite, and it has been the biggest reason
for this team being 4-0. If the Vikings can figure things out on offense and just be average, they will be an NFC contender this year.
(3-1) Chicago Bears
The Bears have now won 3 games with 3 different starting quarterbacks. This team is looking more and more like a complete football team each week. The Bears' offense has been as good as any in the league, but the defense, to the surprise of many, has been a top-ten unit. Caleb Williams, when he returns, should be in great position to lead the Bears to even more success than last year. Hard not to look at this team as one of the best teams in the league.
(2-2) Detroit Lions
The Lions revealed all the wrong things about themselves in a primetime game. The Lions' defense gifted an elite performance to Bryce Young. The Lions had zero answers for Tetairoa McMillan. This game showed that, with the Lions' current state of their defense, they can not be taken seriously as a contender. Even if their offense can score a bunch of points, they will lose a shootout to the up-and-coming Panthers.
(2-2) Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers simply cannot overcome their injuries. They gave a bad Buccaneers team that took them down to the wire with an undrafted quarterback. The issues this team has are not visible this season. It is still early in the season, but it feels like this year is already over for title town.
Overview
The Vikings and the Chicago Bears have all the makings of 2 teams that can challenge anyone in the NFC. The Bears, once they add Caleb Williams back into the fold, will be the best team in the conference, but right now a Brian Flores-led Minnesota Vikings defense is holding onto the throne. For the 2 former NFC juggernauts, it looks like their window is closing.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Caleb Williams remains out, but Chicago Bears still look dangerous
