OK, it's only Week 4, but first place will be on the line Sunday, which has been a rare occurrence at Ford Field over the years.
Beggars can't be choosers.
The Detroit Lions take on the Chicago Bears and while it's not technically must win for either, these are the types of games that start to reveal playoff contenders from pretenders.
Here are five storylines to follow:
1. WINNER TAKES FIRST
When fans around the country think of the NFC North Division, they think of the Green Bay Packers, and rightfully so. Green Bay won the division title the last two years and was Super Bowl champs the year before that.
So for Detroit (2-1) and Chicago (3-0) to be playing for first place anytime is significant. Maybe this will be the year the Packers (1-2) take a step back. If so, who will be the one to take advantage? Sunday's game could provide the answer.
"Anytime you play an opponent in your division, it's a must have," Lions defensive lineman Israel Idonije said. "Anytime you play at home, you've got to win the games at home. Those are critical points. It's a double must-win."
Receiver Calvin Johnson agreed, calling this game "almost like a two-for-one."
Center Dominic Raiola added, "The next game doesn't determine the NFC North winner, but it's a big game. It's fun to be a part of these games."
The atmosphere should be wild with plenty of Bears' fans expected to make their annual trek to Detroit.
The Lions haven't won a division title since 1993 when it was still called the NFC Central. Since that time, the Packers have won nine divisions, Minnesota five and Chicago four. Even Tampa Bay won one before the divisions were realigned.
For the Lions to break through one of these times, it's going to start with winning games like these.
2. IDONIJE PLAYS HIS FORMER TEAM
Idonije spent the last decade in Chicago, but he signed during the off-season with the division rivals after the Bears decided that he was aging and they'd go in a different direction.
Now Idonije, 32, has a chance to send a message back to the Bears, who have won nine of the last 10 against the Lions, and show them they made a mistake by letting him go.
He insists he has no such agenda, grudge or extra motivation here, but that's what most players say in these situations.
(Don't believe them).
"I've been doing it a long time," Idonije said. "I have no problems blocking out stuff. If I'm trying to prove anything to anyone, it's proving to my teammates, to ownership and management that bringing me here was the right decision."
So far, that's debatable.
Idonije, who had 7 1/2 sacks last year for the Bears, admits he hasn't produced nearly enough in the first three games.
"I feel like I have not performed at the level I need to," he said. "That's my focus."
No better time to reestablish himself than against his former teammates.
3. TURNOVER BATTLE
The Lions made an emphasis on getting more takeaways this year and they've improved, but it still doesn't compare with the Bears.
Chicago leads the league with 11 takeaways (six fumbles, five interceptions) and also has three defensive touchdowns. Cornerback Tim Jennings and safety Major Wright scored on interception returns and defensive end Julius Peppers had a fumble return.
Nobody on the Bears is better at forcing these turnovers than cornerback Charles Tillman, who also has had success at times covering Johnson. Some defenders try to wrap up when they tackle. Tillman comes up punching at the ball to knock it out.
"I'm going to label them as a turnover machine," Raiola said of Chicago's defense. "They're ball hawks. That's every guy on the field. That's the make-up of their defense. That's just what they are."
The Lions, meanwhile, are tied for fifth with seven takeaways (two fumbles, five interceptions) after finishing 28th in the league last year with a total of 17 in 16 games.
Whoever wins the turnover margin wins the game.
4. O-LINE MAKEOVER
Quarterback Jay Cutler is releasing the ball much quicker and the Bears' rebuilt offensive line, a major weakness in the past, appears to be much improved.
The result has been a higher completion percentage and fewer sacks.
First-year coach Marc Trestman, who returned to the NFL after five years in the CFL, has a reputation for being a good offensive mind. The Bears rank third in scoring with a 31.7-point average. The defensive scores have helped out but the offense appears much more consistent and dangerous.
Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch was at North Carolina State when Trestman was the offensive coordinator.
"He does a good job balancing the offense," Tulloch said. "You can tell they're molding their team from the offensive line out."
The only returning starter on the line is center Roberto Garza. The newcomers include two free agents on the left side (guard Matt Slauson and tackle Jermon Bushrod) and two rookie draft picks on the right side (guard Kyle Long and tackle Jordan Mills).
Whether they can contain the Lions' talented defensive line, led by tackle Ndamukong Suh, will be one of the game's most intriguing matchups.
5. REPLACING BURLESON
The Lions can go in a lot of different directions to try to make up for the loss of slot receiver Nate Burleson.
Ryan Broyles is the next man up, but they could also use two of their tight ends, veteran Tony Scheffler and rookie Joseph Fauria, more in that slot position.
Scheffler, in the final year of his contract, has been the odd-man out so far. He has just two receptions for five yards.
Before Fauria came along, Scheffler was the Lions' dancing king in the end zone.
"Undrafted kid, I'm happy for him," Scheffler said. "But I told him, 'It's kind of messed up, you're taking all my plays and my dances.'"
Fauria, who has gotten a lot of national attention for his two end-zone dances, is hoping to show off more of his moves.
"I'm just going to keep it fun," he said. "I love playing football. I even love more being in the end zone. When you have two seconds to show your individuality without going over the top then do it."
Scheffler, in his eighth NFL season, would like to get that chance again one of these days. Maybe this is the week.
INJURY REPORT
Running back Reggie Bush (knee) is expected to return to Detroit's lineup after missing last week's game. He is probable.
However, defensive end Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah (abdomen) is listed as questionable by the Lions, along with offensive tackles Corey Hilliard (groin) and Jason Fox (groin), and safety Don Carey (hamstring).
Wide receiver Patrick Edwards (ankle) is listed as doubtful.
Tillman, the heart and soul of the Bears’ defense, is officially considered questionable because of knee/groin ailments.
The Lions will be without Burleson (broken forearm) and defensive lineman Jason Jones (knee) while defensive tackle Harry Melton (knee) is out for Chicago.
PICK:
LIONS - 3
(Dye's prediction record: 3-0)
