Why Packers are quietly most dangerous team from NFC North

For much of the season, the Detroit Lions have been hailed as the NFC North’s best team, thanks to their explosive offense and consistent performances. But as injuries pile up and playoffs approach, the Packers are increasingly establishing themselves as the team to beat from the NFC North.

Green Bay (11-4) would lose a tiebreaker to Detroit (13-2) should the Packers finish tied atop the division after the next two games. And should the Lions falter, the Packers would still need help to overcome the Vikings (13-2) – their opponent at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX). But even if Green Bay enters the NFC postseason as a wild-card team, the Packers are the most dangerous in that trio.

Fresh off the league’s first 2024 shutout, the Packers possess a lethal combination of top-five turnover margin and top-five rushing offense. The Packers (third with a plus-12 turnover ratio, fourth with 147.3 rushing yards per game) lead their division rivals in each category.

Since the beginning of 2013, when Pete Carroll took the Seahawks to consecutive Super Bowls while finishing among the NFL’s top five in both categories each year, that combination has propelled eight teams to the Super Bowl.

Detroit’s dominance has hinged on a balanced attack, with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs grinding out yards on the ground and Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta thriving in the air. But the wear and tear of the season is catching up to Jared Goff and the Lions. Montgomery, Aidan Hutchinson, Carlton Davis and Alim McNeill have all suffered significant injuries. While the Lions have proven they can still score points, the cracks in their foundation are growing deeper.

The Vikings are riding a wave of momentum behind Sam Darnold and All-Pro Justin Jefferson. Their defense, allowing just 18.4 points per game, is among the league’s best. But the Vikings have been here before—good enough to make the playoffs but rarely the team that can outmuscle a physical opponent in January.

That leaves the Packers, a team that has quietly built a blueprint to win when it matters most. Josh Jacobs has turned their offense into a bruising, clock-controlling machine, rushing for 1,216 yards and 13 touchdowns. His presence has made Jordan Love’s job simpler, allowing the young quarterback to grow without carrying the offense on his shoulders. On defense, the impending return of Jaire Alexander adds another layer of toughness to an already disciplined unit.

What sets the Packers apart isn’t just their recent surge—it’s their ability to play a style of-football that thrives in the postseason. Smashmouth running games and gritty defenses may not dominate highlight reels, but they win in January.

While Detroit and Minnesota offer flash, the Packers bring force. They’re the team no one will want to face, especially as they enter the playoffs healthier and hotter than their division rivals. In a season during which the Lions have grabbed headlines and the Vikings have shown promise, it’s the Packers who look like the team built to win deep into next month—and possibly beyond.

For more information on the Packers and Vikings, visit the Green Bay and Minnesota team pages at ProFootballPost.com.