The NFC North is again primed to be one of the best divisions in football.
All three of the division’s playoff teams had an early exit from the postseason in 2024, though that doesn’t change how the Detroit Lions (15-2), Minnesota Vikings (14-3), Green Bay Packers (11-6) and Chicago Bears (5-12) combined to have the best single-season winning percentage (66.2%) by a division in NFL history. It’s difficult to compare different eras — some divisions used to have five teams, skewing the numbers — but there’s no denying the dominance last season.
How do the Lions, looking to three-peat as division champions, stack up in 2025? The Detroit News’ Lions beat writers, Nolan Bianchi and Richard Silva, teamed up to give their opinions and create a position-by-position ranking of the NFC North.
Quarterback
Bianchi: Lions, Bears, Packers, Vikings
Analysis: Some of the other quarterbacks in this division might have higher ceilings, but nobody has more proven production than Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who’s led a top-five offense in three straight years and finished fifth in MVP voting last season.
Silva: Lions, Packers, Bears, Vikings
Analysis: Nolan and I differ slightly in our view of Green Bay’s Jordan Love and Chicago’s Caleb Williams. Love has his warts (that’s why Goff is above him), but his peak arm talent gives him the edge over Williams, in my opinion. He has access to throws others don’t.
Running back
Bianchi: Lions, Packers, Vikings, Bears
Analysis: There’s a case to be made Jahmyr Gibbs is already a top-three running back in the entire league, and with David Montgomery by his side, Detroit runs away in this group. But I like the Packers’ room, led by former All-Pro Josh Jacobs.
Silva: Lions, Packers, Vikings, Bears
Analysis: Montgomery would push to start on at least two other teams in the division, highlighting just how strong the Lions are. Jacobs lifts the Packers to the No. 2 spot, but don’t sleep on Minnesota’s addition of Jordan Mason, who will complement Aaron Jones after rushing for 789 yards for the San Francisco 49ers last season.
Wide receiver
Bianchi: Vikings, Lions, Bears, Packers
Analysis: For my money, Justin Jefferson is the best receiver on planet Earth, and with Jordan Addison behind him, I’m taking the Vikings No. 1 despite Detroit having a star-studded room of its own, led by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Silva: Vikings, Lions, Packers, Bears
Analysis: This one is close at the top, but the Vikings get the nod because of Jefferson’s ceiling, though St. Brown isn’t too far behind. Some will criticize the Packers for not having a bona fide No. 1 receiver, but I’m still pretty high on the group, despite their third-place ranking. I value depth.
Tight end
Bianchi: Packers, Lions, Bears, Vikings
Analysis: Luke Musgrave struggled to stay healthy last season (and wasn’t all that productive when he was on the field), but I think a 1-2 punch with him and Tucker Kraft has a higher ceiling than whatever Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright can provide as a tandem. I’ll take the Packers by a whisker.
Silva: Lions, Packers, Bears, Vikings
Analysis: For the same reasons I put the Vikings at No. 1 for receiver — Jefferson, I believe, is the best of the best — I’ve got the Lions leading the way at tight end. Perhaps It took a few weeks for LaPorta to get rolling in 2024, but he’s one of the best in the business. This order could change in a hurry if Chicago’s Colston Loveland can be LaPorta 2.0.
Offensive line
Bianchi: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Bears
Analysis: The Lions have the best tackle in the game (Penei Sewell), a second-team All-Pro at center (Frank Ragnow) and a nine-year starting tackle (Taylor Decker) with a handful of young, intriguing pieces waiting to plug the holes at guard. Give me Detroit by a mile.
Silva: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Bears
Analysis: There’s an easy argument to make the Lions have the two best O-linemen in the division, in Sewell and Ragnow. The Vikings come in second due to their retooling this offseason — Will Fries, Donovan Jackson and Ryan Kelly were added — and Christian Darrisaw’s elite play.
Defensive line
Bianchi: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Bears
Analysis: Aidan Hutchinson is one of the most impactful edge rushers in the league, and (when at full strength) you’re looking at a line that also features Alim McNeill, DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport. That’s a pretty potent group (again, when healthy).
Silva: Lions, Bears, Vikings, Packers
Analysis: Surprise, surprise. A division of good teams has a bunch of good defensive lines. Chicago’s acquisition of Dayo Odeyingbo makes a notable difference, but the order of teams here can easily be argued. The more I think about it, the more I think the Packers deserve more love. But who would they jump?
Linebacker
Bianchi: Vikings, Lions, Bears, Packers
Analysis: The Lions have a strong unit in their own right, but it’s hard to ignore a group that features Andrew Van Ginkel, Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman. The Vikings’ ability to rush the passer with their linebackers (particularly Van Ginkel) makes them No. 1 on my list.
Silva: Vikings, Lions, Packers, Bears
Analysis: I echo everything Nolan wrote. The Packers do have some upside to keep an eye on, with linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker possessing the physical tools to excel. For now, however, the Vikings and Lions top the list.
Cornerback
Bianchi: Lions, Bears, Packers, Vikings
Analysis: I might be projecting a bit too much here, but I think the difference between Terrion Arnold and Chicago’s No. 2 (Tyrique Stevenson) is large enough to close the gap between Lions No. 1 DJ Reed and Bears No. 1 Jaylon Johnson. When you add Detroit’s depth at the position, the Lions earn my top spot.
Silva: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings
Analysis: Johnson is elite, and there may not be a better nickel cornerback in the game than Chicago’s Kyler Gordon, who earned a $40 million deal in April to prove it. The Lions have the advantage of depth, but Johnson and Gordon are both in the upper echelon at the position.
Safety
Bianchi: Lions, Packers, Vikings, Bears
Analysis: This one isn’t hard. Detroit has an All-Pro (Kerby Joseph) and Pro Bowler (Brian Branch) in their safety room, and nobody else remotely has the upside of that tandem.
Silva: Lions, Packers, Bears, Vikings
Analysis: The gap between the Lions and everyone else in the division is fairly large at safety. Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney is up there as one of the NFL’s best, but you can’t beat Detroit’s duo. Something to think about: Branch and Joseph have only played safety together for one full season. Could they somehow get better?
Originally Published: May 27, 2025 at 2:08 PM EDT