The NFC North completed week eight of the 2025 season. There were plenty of story lines as the Vikings visited the Chargers, the Bears made a trip to Baltimore, and the Packers had a Sunday night tilt against the Steelers. The Lions were on BYE, and the last team in the division to do so. Moving forward, the NFC North will have its four teams in action for the remainder of the season. As the teams prepare for week nine, here are the NFC North report cards from Week 8.
Chicago Bears
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin pressures Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams against the Chicago Bears
Williams finally notches the first passing touchdown by a rookie quarterback this season | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Offensive Grade: C
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Chicago’s offense took a step back after flying high in weeks six and seven. The run game had modest success, totaling 96 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown. Subtracting Caleb Williams’ 24 yards on three attempts, Chicago ran the ball 20 times for 72 yards (2.7 average) and one touchdown. The performance was a letdown following a combined 367 yards (5.4 average) and three touchdowns in the previous two games. The passing game was ineffective, and quarterback Caleb Williams failed to record a passing touchdown for a second consecutive week. The team’s downfall was its inability to score touchdowns when in the red zone.
Defensive Grade: C-
Chicago’s defense returned to surrendering a high number of rushing yards. The Bears allowed the Ravens to total 177 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. Baltimore’s success running the ball allowed precious time to come off the play clock. The Ravens’ success in the running game allowed backup quarterback Tyler Huntley to have an efficient game. He completed 17 of 22 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown. Chicago’s run defense is a work in progress, but they failed to take advantage of week eight’s game with Baltimore’s star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, out.
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Overall Grade: C
The Bears had a poor performance. The offense struggled running the ball and couldn’t score touchdowns in the red zone. False starts continue to hinder the offensive line, causing numerous drives to go backward. Defensively, Baltimore took advantage of Chicago’s poor run stop. The Bears were without their top three cornerbacks, but this was not a concern due to Baltimore racking up yards via the run.
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Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates the 31-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates the 31-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. His hair is dyed blue. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Offensive Grade: A
Detroit was on BYE, but its offense is ranked 7th in yards per game (357.3). Detroit continues to dominate opposing teams on the ground, leading to open passing lanes. Quarterback Jared Goff is off to a great start, totaling 1,631 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Lions’ best offensive weapons, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, continue to lead the team. St. Brown has 50 catches, 538 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns. Gibbs has 526 rushing yards (5.1 average), six rushing touchdowns, 26 catches, 194 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. The team’s high-octane offense continues to be one of the NFL’s best.
Defensive Grade: A-
Detroit’s defense has been equally as good as its offense. The defense is ranked 8th in yards per game (300.0), 5th in turnover differential (+6), 5th in sacks (23), and 7th in interceptions (7). The defense plays fast and is relentless against opposing quarterbacks.
Overall Grade: A
Detroit is one of the best teams in the NFL. The Lions’ offense is among the NFL’s top-ranked teams, and their defense is highly ranked in nearly every statistical category. Detroit is the favorite to win the NFC North division.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs breaks a tackle against the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs breaks a tackle against the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football | Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Offensive Grade: A
Green Bay’s offense torched Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football. Quarterback Jordan Love passed for 360 yards and three touchdowns, and running back Josh Jacobs scored his ninth rushing touchdown. The story of the game was tight end Tucker Kraft. Kraft exploded with seven receptions, 143 yards, and two touchdowns. This was the breakout performance Green Bay’s offense needed.
Defensive Grade: B
Green Bay’s defense stepped up after entering the fourth quarter down 19-14. The defense held Pittsburgh to six points in the final quarter and finished the game with five QB hits, three sacks, and one forced fumble recovery. The Packers defense took three quarters to wake up, but they allowed the offense to come back and win the game.
Overall Grade: B+
The Packers entered the fourth quarter down by five, but the offense and defense stepped up during crunch time. Jordan Love had the best game of his career, completing 29 of 37 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns. The highlight of the game, other than the team’s fourth-quarter comeback, was tight end Tucker Kraft’s monster performance. He finished with seven receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns. This was the statement game Green Bay has been waiting for.
Minnesota Vikings
Oct 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) makes a pass during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Offensive Grade: D
Minnesota struggled in all offensive facets against Los Angeles. The Vikings had little success in the run game and relied on the pass as they trailed throughout the game. Backup quarterback Carson Wentz has played mediocre in back-to-back performances and has a 6:5 TD:INT ratio in his five games. His lack of mobility limits him from extending plays. The offense direly needs J.J. McCarthy to return and help bring another dimension to a lackluster offense.
Defensive Grade: D
Minnesota allowed Los Angeles to succeed in the air and on the ground. The Vikings surrendered 227 passing yards, 207 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns. The defense’s inability to stop the Chargers from scoring put an endless amount of pressure on the team’s offense. The story of Minnesota’s season has been the defense’s inability to stop opposing offenses and create turnovers.
Overall Grade: D
The Vikings had a poor performance in Week 8. The offense played from behind and couldn’t find success in the air or on the ground. Minnesota’s defense couldn’t stop Los Angeles from scoring, surrendering points in all four quarters. The team is 3-4, and with 10 games remaining, Minnesota must consider reacquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins from Atlanta. Even when he returns, J.J. McCarthy’s lack of experience may prevent the team from being serious playoff contenders.
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