NFC Standings Update: Vikings Still 1.5 Games Behind Lions in North

The Lions held off the Chargers in a thrilling 41-38 victory on Sunday.

Author:
Will Ragatz
Publish date:
Nov 12, 2023 8:01 PM EST

In this story:

The Vikings, winners of five in a row, are still 1.5 games behind the Lions in the NFC North after Detroit won a 41-38 thriller against the Chargers on Sunday.

Onetime Vikings UDFA signee Riley Patterson drilled a 41-yard field as time expired to give the Lions a big-time win in Los Angeles. Head coach Dan Campbell's call to go for it on fourth and short a few plays earlier set Patterson up to win it. The Lions racked up 533 total yards in the game, averaging 8.3 yards per play to overcome huge days from Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen.

There's still a lot of time left in the season and two matchups looming between the Vikings and Lions within the final three weeks, but it's clear that Detroit is a legit contender in the NFC. The Vikings' narrow early-season losses, particularly against the Buccaneers and Chargers, have shrunk their margin for error as they look to make a run at a second consecutive division title.

If the Vikings just keep winning games, like they did against the Saints on Sunday, they'll give themselves a chance.

NFC North standings through ten weeks
NFL GSIS

The Vikings face the Broncos on the road next week, then host the Bears before having their bye in Week 13. The Lions will host the Bears next weekend and then the Packers on Thanksgiving.

In the broader NFC playoff picture, the Vikings remained in the seventh seed due to victories from the Cowboys and Seahawks. They trail those two teams by just half a game in the standings. Seattle beating the Commanders means the Vikings have a 1.5-game edge on the Buccaneers, who are eighth in the conference.