Week 13 is quickly approaching with a slate of Thanksgiving games on Thursday, as well as the Bears and Eagles set for a Black Friday matchup. Looking at the NFC North, Green Bay and Detroit kick off Thanksgiving with the day’s first matchup at 1:00 PM Eastern. This matchup carries a lot of weight as the winner will move one step closer to overtaking Chicago for the NFC North lead. Here are the divisional power rankings heading into week thirteen.
4. Minnesota Vikings Record: 4-7 (Last Week’s Ranking: 4)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts after a play during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts after a play during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium – Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Minnesota’s tumultuous season continues. The Vikings’ offense and defense have taken steps back following last season’s successful run. The offense has dealt with shoddy quarterback play as well as injuries throughout the offensive line. Defensively, the team isn’t creating turnovers like a season ago. Through 11 games, the offense ranks 28th in yards per game, 28th in passing yards per game, and 25th in points per game. The team’s defense ranks 24th in rushing yards allowed per game and 31st in turnover differential (-12).
Advertisement
3. Detroit Lions Record: 7-4 (Last Week’s Ranking: 3)
Nov 9, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) walks off the field following a game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Detroit rebounded in Week 12 following the previous week’s loss to Philadelphia. The Lions are trying to make up ground on Chicago and have a chance to do so in Thanksgiving’s matchup against Green Bay. The team ranks 3rd in the NFC North, but is one of the better teams in the National Football League. On the season, Detroit’s defense ranks 10th in yards allowed per game and 12th in points allowed per game. Linebacker Jack Campbell’s 108 tackles rank him 3rd in the NFL. Detroit possesses one of the best high-octane offenses in the league. The team ranks 4th in yards per game, 3rd in rushing yards per game, and 2nd in points per game.
2. Green Bay Packers Record: 7-3-1 (Last Week’s Ranking: 2)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) passes the ball against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
No one could have predicted Green Bay’s record given its continued search for offensive consistency. However, the Packers’ defense is one of the best in the league and keeps the team in every game. The Packers have their work cut out for them, as four of their remaining six games are against divisional opponents. This season, the Packers’ defense ranks 4th in yards allowed per game, 5th in passing yards allowed per game, 6th in rushing yards allowed per game, and 5th in points allowed per game. Offensively, Green Bay ranks in the middle of the pack in yards per game and points per game. The Packers will go as far as their defense will allow.
1. Chicago Bears Record: 8-3 (Last Week’s Ranking: 1)
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
The Bears are winning. They aren’t gaining style points but are thriving off head coach Ben Johnson’s “good, better, best” mentality. As Chicago holds onto its division lead, the team’s performance becomes crucial as the remaining schedule isn’t for the faint of heart. The Bears’ defense continues to lead the league in turnover ratio (+16) while giving up numerous yards in the air and on the ground. Offensively, head coach Ben Johnson has created a renaissance for a team known historically for its defense. Chicago’s offense ranks 6th in yards per game, 12th in passing yards per game, 2nd in rushing yards per game, and 8th in points per game.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Check out all of our NFL articles:https://www.thebiglead.com/category/nfl/