It was an unusual week in the NFC North. The Packers moved a step closer to miraculously making the playoffs, the Bears lost in embarrassing fashion, the Lions choked in probably their most important game of the season, and the Vikings squeaked out a victory against a clearly inferior opponent (OK, that happens almost every week). The Packers can't win the NFC North, but they control their own destiny as far as second place in the division goes. Let's go over the games and discuss how this week impacted the Packers. 

Chicago Bears

The Bears were stomped by the Bills 35-13.

Game Notes

• The Bears built a reputation over the past few months of a frisky team that can move the ball on offense with the run game and play hard on defense. This week, they met their match in a Bills team that combines a disciplined defense with a powerful offense. The Bills' offense was too much for the Bears' defense, as it is for most defenses, and the Bills defense was good enough not to get taken advantage of by Justin Fields legs. 
• Fields was just OK in the pass game with 119 yards and a 92 QB rating, but the important part was that the Bills completely shut him down in the run game where he had just 11 yards on 7 carries. 
• The Bears still tried to pound the rock with David Montgomery, but he average under 3 yards per carry. All in all the team just couldn't move the ball well against the Bills veteran defense. 
• Defensively, the Bears sold out to stop the pass and it worked -- Josh Allen's 172 yards and two picks may end up being his worst stat line of the season -- but it also led to two Bills players (James Cook and Devin Singletary) averaging more than 8.8 YPC rushing. It was an extremely rare game where the Bills rushing total of 254 yards was significantly more than the passing total of 172.

Former Packers

• The Penneltientiary had a couple of tackles and Joe Thomas had 7 tackles. 

Next Week

The Bears' season begins to wind down against the Lions. 

Detroit Lions

The Lions opened the door for a Packers' run-the-table-like late entry into the playoffs with a surprising 37-23 loss to the up-and-down Panthers. 

Game Notes

• Somehow Jared Goff had his best game of the season, 25/42 for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns against a good defense, in the loss. He was, of course, helped by several chain moving receptions from the Sun God and DJ Chark had a another strong game with over 100 yards. 
• It wasn't enough, however, because of the Lions poor defense. Sam Darnold had a 121 QB rating and D'Onta Foreman had 165 yards rushing. Both of those players would've had even odds to even be in the NFL next season prior to this one. Chuba Hubbard also added over 100 rush yards. The Packers will play the Lions in week 18, likely with the playoffs on the line, and this level of terrible run defense is certainly encouraging for the Packers' chances. 
• Speaking of playoff chances, the Lions chances are down below 30% after the loss. If the Packers win out, including the win over the Lions, they will almost certainly make the playoffs. 

Former Packers

• Jamaal Williams had another subpar performance with 7 carries for 11 yards. He's sadly gone from leading the league in touchdowns to likely being gone after the season. 

Next Week

The Lions take on the Bears next week. 

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings held on for a 27-24 victory over the floundering Giants. 

Game Notes

• The Vikings were the perfect matchup for the Giants. Of course, the Vikings were always going to pull a victory out of thin air, but it's not like the Giants are going to do anything in the playoffs anyway. So they got to look good without hurting their draft status. 
• Kirk Cousins had a good line, 34/48 for 299 yards, 3 TDs and no picks, thanks to Justin Jefferson's 12 catches for 133 yards and TJ Hockenson's 13 for 109. Jefferson moved even closer to the 2k yards mark for the season and needs 244 more to hit the mark. There's a legitimate chance that he could get that in one half against Joe Barry's defense. 
• On the defensive side, Za'Darius Smith missed the stats sheet altogether, again, despite playing over 50 snaps. 

Former Packers

• Chandon Sullivan had 3 tackles. 

Next Week

The Vikings try to hold the Packers out of the playoffs.