Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season has been completed for the Minnesota Vikings and the other three teams in the NFC North. There are still a lot of games to be played, but the division already looks like it's going to be one of the most competitive in the entire NFL.
It didn't take much time for the NFC North to be turned upside down on its head either, as the Green Bay Packers are likely going to be without quarterback Jordan Love for the next few weeks after he suffered a knee injury in the team's Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Love expected to be sidelined, the Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears all have a chance to create some breathing room between them and the Packers during this first month of the season. Will any of them take advantage of this opportunity?
NFC North Power Rankings: Where to do the Minnesota Vikings rank after Week 1?
1. Detroit Lions
Record: 1-0
Week 1 Result: 26-20 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams
As the reigning NFC North champions, it seems fair that the Lions deserve to begin the 2024 season with the top spot in the division after getting a Week 1 win over the Rams.
After leading 17-3 early in the third quarter, Detroit almost gave the game away, as Los Angeles was able to come all the way back and take a 20-17 lead with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter. But the Lions quickly found a way to force overtime, and then in the extra period, a one-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery gave them the victory.
Week 2 Matchup: Home vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
2. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 1-0
Week 1 Result: 28-6 win over the New York Giants
We'll learn in a few weeks about how impressive Minnesota's dominating Week 1 victory truly was, but in the team's first four quarters of the regular season, they showed that they should be able to compete in almost every game on their 2024 schedule.
A big test lies ahead for the Vikings in Week 2 when they host the San Francisco 49ers inside U.S. Bank Stadium. If Minnesota can leave the field with a win next Sunday, all of those people who predicted them to finish with one of the worst records in the NFL this season are going to get real quiet.
Week 2 Matchup: Home vs. the San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
3. Green Bay Packers
Record: 0-1
Week 1 Result: 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles
Despite the loss to the Eagles in Brazil, the Packers still put together a solid performance in their regular-season opener. Green Bay just ran into a talented Philadelphia team and now they have to head into their second game of the year with an 0-1 record.
Unfortunately, the Packers will likely have to figure out how to win their next few matchups without Love under center. Will Green Bay be able to remain in the hunt for the top of the NFC North without its starting quarterback, or will his absence cause the team's season to quickly crumble?
Week 2 Matchup: Home vs. the Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
4. Chicago Bears
Record: 1-0
Week 1 Result: 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans
Wait, how can the Bears be ranked fourth in the division if they won in Week 1? Well, that would be because it was one of the ugliest wins of the weekend.
Led by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams (who finished with 93 passing yards), Chicago averaged 2.8 yards per play on offense and somehow still found a way to get a victory. If not for Titans signal-caller Will Levis throwing one of the worst pick-sixes in league history, the Bears likely lose on Sunday, so they have a lot of cleaning up to do if they want to make any sort of noise in the NFL this season.
Week 2 Matchup: Away at Houston Texans (1-0)