Week 9 in the NFC North delivered plenty of drama — and now it’s time to hand out the grades. Some teams rose to the moment, while others were left looking for answers after a tough weekend of football.
The Minnesota Vikings came away as the week’s top performer, riding rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s breakout game to a statement win over the Lions. Minnesota’s offense looked confident and balanced, earning them an easy A- for both execution and composure.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions fell flat in their biggest divisional test of the season. Missed blocks, penalties, and an offense that just couldn’t find its rhythm led to a disappointing C-, leaving head coach Dan Campbell with plenty to fix before Week 10.
The Green Bay Packers showed flashes of improvement, but their inconsistency at quarterback continues to drag them down to a C+, while the Chicago Bears earned a solid B after a gritty win that showed signs of growth in all three phases.
As the NFC North tightens up heading into the second half of the season, every mistake — and every win — matters more than ever. The Vikings may have stolen the week, but the race for divisional dominance is far from over.
Week 9 Grades Drop — and the NFC North’s Power Order Is Shifting Fast
