With Week 11 in the books, the push for the NFC North title and playoff positioning is in full swing as Detroit, Minnesota, Green Bay and Chicago hit the home stretch of the regular season.
Let's check in on the big headlines surrounding each team heading into Week 12:
DETROIT
Record: 9-1
Last week: Detroit 52, Jacksonville 6
Next opponent: at Indianapolis (5-6)
3 headlines:
1. Can anyone slow down Detroit's offense?
Detroit has won eight straight games to start 9-1 on the season for the first time since 1934. Sunday, they scored 52 points for the second time this season and are just the third team in the Super Bowl era with three wins of 35-or-more points in their first 10 games of a season. The Lions have scored 336 points in 10 games for a 33.6 average per game. That's tops in the NFL. If the regular season were to end today, that total would rank 11th all time.
2. How do Lions deal with another loss on defense?
Key injuries are starting to add up for Detroit's defense after veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone broke his forearm last week and will be out 6-to-8 weeks. He joins Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg) and Derrick Barnes (knee) as key losses for Detroit's defense so far this season. The Lions have depth and they have continued to play great defense without Hutchinson and Barnes, but how many losses can they take before starting to feel the effects?
3. Complementary football reigns supreme in Detroit
The Lions have the No. 1 scoring offense (33.6) and No. 5 scoring defense (17.7) in the NFL through Week 11. They also have one of the best special teams units with a kicker who is still perfect on the year kicking field goals (15-for-15) and a punter who is No. 2 in net punting average. This team can win so many different ways.
View photos of the starters for the Indianapolis Colts.
Head Coach: Shane Steichen
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Bob Cooter
Defensive Coordinator: Gus Bradley
Special Teams Coordinator: Brian Mason
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Backed up by Ashton Dulin
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
LT Bernhard Raimann
Backed up by Blake Freeland
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
LG Quenton Nelson
Backed up by Danny Pinter and Tanor Bortolini
(AP Photo/Stew Milne)
C Tanor Bortolini
Backed up by Danny Pinter
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
RG Dalton Tucker
(AP Photo/Stew Milne)
RT Braden Smith
Backed up by Matt Goncalves
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
TE Mo Alie-Cox
Backed up by Drew Ogletree
(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
TE Kylen Granson
Backed up by Will Mallory
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
WR Josh Downs
Backed up by Anthony Gould
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
WR Alec Pierce
Backed up by Adonai Mitchell
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
QB Anthony Richardson
Backed up by Joe Flacco and Sam Ehlinger
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
RB Jonathan Taylor
Backed up by Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
DE Kwity Paye
Backed up by Laiatu Latu and Genard Avery
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
DT DeForest Buckner
Backed up by Taven Bryan and Adetomiwa Adebawore
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
NT Grover Stewart
Backed up by Raekwon Davis
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
DE Dayo Odeyingbo
Backed up by Isaiah Land
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
WLB E.J. Speed
Backed up by Liam Anderson
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
MLB Zaire Franklin
Backed up by Segun Olubi
(AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
SAM Grant Stuard
Backed up by Cameron McGrone
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
CB Samuel Womack III
Backed up by David Long
(AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
FS Julian Blackmon
Backed up by Rodney Thomas II and Darren Hall
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
SS Nick Cross
Backed up by Ronnie Harrison Jr. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
CB Kenny Moore II
Backed up by Chris Lammons
(AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
CB Jaylon Jones
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
P/H Rigoberto Sanchez
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
PK Matt Gay
(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LS Luke Rhodes
(AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
KR Tyler Goodson
Backed up by Anthony Gould and Ashton Dulin
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
PR Josh Downs
Backed up by Ashton Dulin
(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
MINNESOTA
Record: 8-2
Last week: Minnesota 23, Tennessee 13
Next opponent: at Chicago (4-6)
3 headlines:
1. Sam Darnold bounce back
The Vikings quarterback finished 20-of-32 with 246 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against Tennessee and also ran for a score. That after throwing five interceptions, including three inside the Colts' and Jaguars' 20-yard lines, the previous two weeks.
2. Vikings LB corps playing lights out
Andrew Van Ginkel and Pat Jones II combined for four sacks and seven quarterback hits and earned game balls from head coach Kevin O'Connell after the Titans game. Jonathan Greenard also played really well in the win. Those three have combined for 105 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 22.0 sacks on the year.
3. Jefferson sets receiving record
Minnesota's All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson set an NFL record Sunday for the most receiving yards by an NFL player in his first five seasons. Jefferson entered the game needing 55 to break the mark of 6,784 set by Torry Holt from 1999-2003. Jefferson had 81 receiving yards on six catches against Tennessee.
GREEN BAY
Record: 7-3
Last week: Green Bay 20, Chicago 19
Next opponent: vs. San Francisco (5-5)
3 headlines:
1. Calling their shot
Green Bay had a walk-off field goal blocked to edge past the Bears last week. It turns out special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia called it: "Rich said to our team last night, 'I will not understand if we come out of this game without a block,' either field goal or PAT," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told packers.com after the game.
2. Primetime Packers
Next up for Green Bay is the 49ers, the first of two games in five days, the second being on Thanksgiving which begins a stretch of four consecutive primetime games for the Packers – Week 13 vs. Miami (Sunday Night Football), Week 14 at Detroit (Thursday night), Week 15 at Seattle (Sunday Night Football) and Week 16 vs. New Orleans (Monday Night Football).
3. Christian Watson breakout game
The Packers' third-year wide receiver came into last week's game with 16 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns on the year. He had four catches for 150 yards, playing a huge part in the win. The Packers hope he builds on that performance moving forward.
View photos of Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams and safety Kerby Joseph handing out turkeys to local families at the Yunion on Nov. 17 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) with local families during a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event at The Yunion in Detroit, MI on November 17, 2024. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
CHICAGO
Record: 4-6
Last week: Green Bay 20, Chicago 19
Next opponent: vs. Minnesota (8-2)
3 headlines:
1. Caleb Williams' growth
Chicago hadn't scored a touchdown in either of their two games leading up to the Packers' game and had just fired their offensive coordinator. Williams drove the Bears to two touchdowns and a field goal on three straight possessions at the end of the first half and beginning the second half, and finished 23-of-31 for 231 yards. He didn't turn it over (95.0 rating) and added 70 rushing yards.
2. Learning how to finish
The Bears are now 4-6 and have lost two games when they seemingly had them won on the last play of the game – a Hail Mary in Washington and Sunday's blocked field goal.
3. Thomas Brown's first game as OC
In Brown's first game as offensive coordinator, the Bears' offense came to life and scored on four of their first five possessions. The unit compiled 391 total yards and 23 first downs and converted a season-high 56.2 percent of their third-down plays (9 of 16).
"Was really pleased how the operation of that week went in terms of the collaboration with the offensive staff and the players, and I think that showed today," head coach Matt Eberflus told chicagobears.com. "Communication during the game was great. Guys were finding answers to move the ball, and they did a nice job of that. I thought Thomas Brown did a wonderful job of bringing that collaboration together."
