The NFC North has completed week nine of the 2025 season. Chicago and Minnesota walked away with victories, while Green Bay and Detroit fell flat. NFC North teams are showing improvements, and the division race will heat up as the rest of the season plays out. Here is a look at the NFC North Week 9 Report Cards.
Chicago Bears
Oct 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Offensive Grade: A
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Chicago’s offense was firing on all cylinders against the worst defense in the league. The Bears’ ground attack accumulated 283 yards on 37 carries (7.6 average). Rookie running back Kyle Monangai, filling in for D’Andre Swift, finished the game with 176 rushing yards on 26 carries. Quarterback Caleb Williams rebounded, completing 20 of 34 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland had his breakout game, finishing with six catches, 118 yards, and two touchdowns. This was another big game for the Chicago offense, which is a work in progress.
Defensive Grade: C-
Chicago’s defense accumulated three sacks, one forced fumble recovery, and two interceptions, but surrendered 42 points. The Bears were able to limit Cincinnati to 46 yards on 15 carries (3.1 yards), but veteran quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 470 yards and four touchdowns. Chicago has played only one game where it’s been able to limit damage on the ground and in the air.
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Overall Grade: B
The Bears rebounded offensively, finding success on the ground and in the air. Rookies Kyle Monangai and Colston Loveland had career games, and quarterback Caleb Williams had one of his best games of the season. The defense was stout against the run, but surrendered 470 passing yards.
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Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff makes a pass against Tennessee Titans during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit
The Lions will play one of their three outdoor games today | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Offensive Grade: B-
Detroit’s offense couldn’t find consistency running the ball. They rushed the ball 20 times for 65 yards (3.3 average) and one touchdown. Jared Goff was consistent, racking up 284 yards and two touchdowns. This was one of the few games where Detroit struggled to find success on the ground.
Defensive Grade: C+
The Lions accumulated five sacks, but Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy completed 14 of 25 passes for 143 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Detroit had issues stopping Minnesota’s ground game. The Vikings finished the game with 29 carries, 142 yards (4.9 average), and one touchdown.
Overall Grade: B-
Detroit played an unusual game. They’ve had success running the ball and stopping opposing running backs, but the opposite occurred on Sunday. The Lions let a winnable game get away.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) hands the ball off to running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on October 26, 2025.
Offensive Grade: C
Green Bay had little success through the air. Quarterback Jordan Love completed 26 of 37 passes for 273 yards and one interception. Love took a step back after last week’s big game against Pittsburgh. Running back Josh Jacobs continued to shine, racking up 87 yards and one touchdown. The biggest story was Green Bay losing tight end Tucker Kraft to a torn ACL.
Defensive Grade: C+
Green Bay surrendered a minuscule 16 points, but Carolina running back Rico Dowdle finished the game with 25 carries, 130 yards (5.2 average), and two touchdowns. The Packers held Carolina quarterback Bryce Young to 102 passing yards and one interception. As good as the defense was at defending the pass, they were torched on the ground.
Overall Grade: C-
The story of the game was simple: Green Bay couldn’t pass the ball and couldn’t stop Carolina’s ground game. The Packers dropped a winnable game, and this can come back to haunt them in the division standings. The biggest storyline was Green Bay losing tight end Tucker Kraft for the remainder of the season.
Minnesota Vikings
Oct 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Offensive Grade: B+
Minnesota saw the return of quarterback J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy finished the game with 143 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, one interception, 12 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. His mobility was on display, and the team lacked this dimension while Carson Wentz was starting under center. Minnesota’s rushing attack was efficient, accumulating 142 yards on 29 rushing attempts.
Defensive Grade: B+
The Vikings found success stopping Detroit’s highly efficient rushing attack. They held Detroit to 65 yards on 20 attempts. Minnesota’s ability to stop the run allowed them to keep the game close and end the weekend with a victory.
Overall Grade: B+
Minnesota has had a roller coaster season. However, the offense showed life with the return of quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Defensively, Minnesota denied Detroit the ability to effectively run the ball. This was a big division win for the Vikings.
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