NFC North Roundtable: Lions' Key to Beating Colts

NFC North roundtable explores each team's keys to win, biggest free agent signing.

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31). / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions remain at the top of the NFC North, but their divisional opponents are still staying close in the race to be division champions.

As it stands, the Lions are still out in front with a 9-1 record, while the Vikings remain close behind at 8-2 and the Packers at 7-3. With a stretch of divisional games to close the season, Detroit will need to continue winning to maintain their advantage.

Here's a look at where each team stands in the NFC North ahead of Week 12, with insight provided by team OnSI publishers throughout the division.

Detroit Lions

Week 12: Lions at Colts (1 p.m. Sunday, Lucas Oil Stadium)

Rankings: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Bears

Best free agency addition: Carlton Davis doesn’t qualify as a trade acquisition, but he’s been excellent for the Lions’ secondary. While DJ Reader and Amik Robertson have both been solid additions, signing Kevin Zeitler was a super under-the-radar move. Detroit was able to land the productive veteran on a one-year, $6 million contract and he has fit right in with the elite offensive line. He’s amassed an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 87.8, which ranks fourth on the offense and has allowed just nine pressures in nine games played. 

Key to Victory: Stifle the Colts’ run game. Anthony Richardson is a huge threat with his legs, and the Colts also boast Jonathan Taylor. If those two get going, the Lions will be tested. If Detroit can force Indianapolis into second-and-long situations, the defense should be able to thrive. — John Maakaron, Lions OnSI.

Minnesota Vikings

Week 12: Vikings at Bears (1 p.m. Sunday, Soldier Field)

Rankings: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Bears

Best free agent addition: There are so many to consider: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Shaq Griffin, Stephon Gilmore and Aaron Jones have been outstanding, but one name stands out above the rest: Blake Cashman. Was it any wonder that Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford shredded the Vikings over the middle of the field when Cashman was out with a turf toe injury? The Vikings have been stifling on defense with Cashman on the field. He’s the underrated defensive MVP in Minnesota. 

Keys to victory: Win the turnover battle. It’s an obvious truth, but it carries more weight every time Minnesota travels to Soldier Field, where weird things seem to happen to the Vikings. The Vikings could have the greatest roster of players in franchise history, all of them in their prime, against the worst players in Chicago history, and the game would still come down to the wire. That’s just the way it is when these clubs meet in Chicago. — Joe Nelson, Vikings OnSI.

Green Bay Packers

Week 12: Packers vs 49ers (4:25 p.m. Sunday, Lambeau Field)

Rankings: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Bears

Best free agent addition: Last season, the Packers’ primary starting safeties were Darnell Savage and Jonathan Ford. Combined, they had zero interceptions and three pass breakups for a defense that ranked toward the bottom of the NFL with seven interceptions. In free agency, the Packers signed the best veteran available, Xavier McKinney. All McKinney has done is intercept six passes, play mostly leak-proof defense and led a pair of rookie safeties, Javon Bullard and Evan Williams, who get a ton of playing time.

Keys to victory: This will be Christian McCaffrey’s third game back in the lineup. The All-Pro running back hasn’t really gotten going yet, as he’s averaged 3.7 yards per carry with a long run of 13 yards and just two broken tackles. The Packers need to keep him under wraps. Because Green Bay struggled to stop the run last week, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams helped the Bears convert on 9-of-16 third downs. It could be the same formula for the 49ers with Brock Purdy picking and choosing between Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings and George Kittle. — Bill Huber, Packers OnSI.

Chicago Bears

Week 12: Bears vs. Vikings (1 p.m. Sunday, Soldier Field)

Rankings: Lions, Vikings, Packers, Bears

Best free agent addition:  When the Bears signed free agent safety Kevin Byard to replace Eddie Jackson, CBS Sports labeled it the worst signing of free agency. Byard, who is 31, proved he still has plenty left after his 2023 season was split between Tennessee and Philadelphia.  Pro Football Focus grades Byard the league's seventh-best safety, higher than any of the Eagles safeties who Philadelphia put in his place when they let him leave in free agency. He quickly became a leader not just in the secondary but of the entire defense.

Key to Victory: A good blitz plan for Caleb Williams is critical. A rookie facing Brian Flores' blitzes for the first time can quickly get lost in the sea of onrushing bodies. If they have a place he can get rid of the football quickly and safely, with hot reads, screens or even just throwing it away, they can stay in the game. Williams has gone 146 straight passes without an interception and it's difficult to see how that list remains intact after this game considering the Vikings' pressure. — Gene Chamberlain, Bears OnSI.