Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The NFC North isn't just the best division in the NFL in 2026. It may be the best division in NFL history. Until this season, no division had ever had all four teams at least three games above .500 through Week 9, per ESPN.
And at the top of this historically good division, it's the Chicago Bears. Ben Johnson's squad survived its shakiest performance in weeks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the win, Chicago claimed sole possession of the top spot in the division.
They can't rest on their laurels, though. The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are both hitting their stride at the season's midpoint. Here's how things stand in a historically competitive NFC North through nine weeks.
NFC North power rankings after Week 9
Week 9 results:
Lions beat Dolphins 19-9
Packers beat Patriots 45-27
Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24
Vikings lose to Bills 23-6
1. Chicago Bears finally steal the NFC North lead from the Vikings
Good teams win ugly games. The Bears can boat race any opponent to a high-scoring win, but they hadn't shown the ability to overcome offensive mistakes until Week 9. In a way, it's encouraging that, despite five turnovers, they still found a way to emerge victorious against the Buccaneers.
That's not to say that there's nothing to fix over the Week 10 bye. Todd Bowles gave the rest of the NFL the blueprint for limiting Caleb Williams: force him off his rhythm and give him opportunities to make mistakes.
If the Bears can't find a way to counter the blitzes that broke their offense in Week 9, their Super Bowl hopes will be at risk.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 22nd vs. Saints
2. Green Bay Packers look unstoppable with this version of Jordan Love
The Packers might not have a running game, but it doesn't seem to matter. Jordan Love was arguably the best player in the NFL in Week 9, letting multiple deep passes rip and connecting almost every time. His connections with Christian Watson and Matthew Golden have been unstoppable this year.
On the other side, Green Bay has posted a top-five defense without its best player. When Micah Parsons returns to the lineup, the Packers will have elite units on both sides of the ball.
They may have been slow to get out of the gate this season, but the Packers are gaining steam with each passing week. If they can topple the Vikings over the weekend, they may take the Bears' spot atop this list.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 15th vs. Vikings
3. Detroit Lions stay alive with an underwhelming win over Dolphins
A ten-point victory over this version of the Miami Dolphins isn't exactly encouraging. The Lions failed to maintain their momentum on offense, scoring just 19 points against what had been a bottom-five defense through the first eight weeks of the year.
Still, Detroit has won four consecutive games and seems to be recovering on defense. After posting the worst defense in the league early in the season, they've ranked 11th in EPA per play since Week 6.
This Lions team has its weaknesses, but it's capable of going toe-to-toe with any opponent in the league.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 15th vs. Patriots
4. Minnesota Vikings are showing their true colors after a perfect start
Who would have thought that the final remaining undefeated team in the NFL would be the clear worst team in its division at the season's midpoint?
The Vikings' offense was never that of a true contender, but it was at least able to stay afloat through the first seven weeks of the season. In the last two, though, it has completely fallen apart. Minnesota hit a low point against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 with an ugly loss in which Carson Wentz completed less than a third of his passes.
Brian Flores might be the best assistant coach in the league, but that's not enough to form an elite team. Expect the Vikings to continue their slide away from the top of the NFC North.
Next game: Sunday, Nov. 15th @ Packers