The NFC North showed why it is viewed as one of the best divisions in the NFL this past week. The Chicago Bears were having some fun without the former Trojan Caleb Williams, but in Week 5, they were definitely missing him and his star ability. The Minnesota Vikings remain on top of the division, but the three other teams in the North have shown they will not make it easy for them to stay there.
Here are my takeaways from Week 5 in the NFC North from each team:
(5-0) Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings' defense has been the best in the NFL, and it has carried Minnesota in the majority of its wins. Lately, however, Kyler Murray is finding his footing with the offense. He made a spectacular throw to Justin Jefferson for a touchdown, and he played encouragingly in Week
5. If he can play a little more controlled and Aaron Jones continues his play, the offense can match the defense's dominance.
(3-2) Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions showed some real life in Week 5, dominating the Arizona Cardinals. The offense looked prolific again, and the Lions defense had a pulse as well. D.J. Wonnum looks like one of the biggest steals this past free agency. He has 5 sacks this season, and his play has given the Lions defense some real hope of being good enough to win some more games. Lions, with how good this offense is, always have a shot. Still not in that tier they were in a couple of years ago as a top team in the NFC. Can be dangerous on any given Sunday, though.
(3-2) Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers put it all together to humble their biggest rival, the Chicago Bears. Everything was clicking for them at Lambeau. The run game was effective; Jordan Love played like a vintage Aaron Rodgers. Both Matthew Golden and Christian Watson feasted on the Chicago Bears' secondary. This is not the Packers team that will show up any other week, but they had quite a bit of motivation to take the Bears down a peg.
(3-2) Chicago Bears
Ben Johnson and the Bears got served a nice slice of humble pie. Confidence was through the roof for this team, and there was no rush for Caleb Williams to come back. After this game, the Bears desperately need Caleb Williams back. It was an interesting decision to throw Tyson Bagent into the fire for this huge game, but some lessons definitely needed to be learned on the Chicago Bears side of things. The Bears are not the 4th best team in this conference, especially not with Caleb Williams healthy. If this team can take this loss and learn from it, they can get back to the top of this division very soon.
Overview
Instead of looking like their window is closed just a week later, the Lions and the Packers show exactly why you cannot count them out. Both teams still have a fighting chance, and that will make things even more interesting to watch when the season is wrapping up. I still think when it's all said and done, it will be a battle between a healthy Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC North crown.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears trail Minnesota Vikings in NFC North
