Green Bay Packers

NFC North contrast is clearer after bye week for Bears, Packers

Published Oct. 26, 2015 9:46 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Chicago Bears did not play in Week 7, but they still came away from this Sunday's action on the wrong side of a divided division.

After the Minnesota Vikings' 28-19 victory over the Detroit Lions this weekend, the NFC North appears to be a two-horse race. The undefeated Green Bay Packers (6-0), who were also on a bye this past week, lead the division with the up-and-coming Vikings (4-2) hot on their tail. They face each other for the first time in Week 11 at TCF Bank Stadium; the rematch is slated for Week 17 at Lambeau Field.

While the Vikings solidified themselves as contenders in the division, the Lions and Bears sunk to NFC North bottom-feeders. The Lions (1-6) might be the worst team in the entire NFL, but their only win of the season is against the Bears -- a 37-34, overtime finish.

It's still pretty close between those two teams.

After Week 7, it seems as though Chicago's only consolation prize this season will be to hold off the Lions for a third-place finish in the division. The Bears return to action against the Vikings in Week 8, and their rematch with the Lions is aptly scheduled for the final week of the season.