Three NFL division leaders in the most danger of losing their division lead
By Joel Deering
The NFL season is heading into Week 11. Which current NFL division leaders are in the most danger of losing their division lead by the end of the season?
With the NFL season about to enter Week 11, several of the division leaders have already put themselves in position to feel comfortable moving forward the rest of the year. For example, the Los Angeles Rams hold a four and a half game lead over the Seattle Seahawks, while the New England Patriots hold a two game lead over the Miami Dolphins.
Do we really expect anyone but the Patriots to win the AFC East? No.
Although some division leaders have the luxury of feeling comfortable with where they are, others do not. After looking at the current division standings throughout the NFL, I’ve chosen three division leaders I feel are in the most danger of losing their lead, along with an explanation of why they shouldn’t be comfortable at this point in the NFL season.
1. Chicago Bears (6-3)
Division Standings:
- Chicago Bears (6-3)
- Minnesota Vikings (5-3-1)
- Green Bay Packers (4-4-1)
- Detroit Lions (3-6)
Remaining Schedule: Minnesota Vikings (5-3-1), at Detroit Lions (3-6), at New York Giants (2-7), Los Angeles Rams (9-1), Green Bay Packers (4-4-1), at San Francisco 49ers (2-8) and at Minnesota Vikings (5-3-1).
Analysis: The Chicago Bears are having a great season. Their defense has been fantastic, while QB Mitch Trubisky is having a phenomenal second season in the NFL. Trading for Khalil Mack has been everything they could have hoped for and more. Here they are heading into Week 11 with more wins than they had a season ago.
There’s just one problem for the Bears — they play in the NFC North. The NFC North is home to the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, making it one of the best divisions in the NFL
When looking at the Bears’ previous games, the first thing that sticks out to me is the fact that they have yet to beat a team with a winning record.
This week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings will be a good test for the current NFC North division leaders. Whoever wins that game will take the division lead. Can the Bears keep their winning streak going against a winning team?
If they can beat the Vikings, their schedule won’t be easy throughout the rest of the NFL season. After the Vikings, the Bears play their division rival, Detroit Lions. While the Lions are 3-6, they do have wins over the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers, making them no easy out.
The NFC North division leaders will likely handle the New York Giants, but then they host the 9-1 Los Angeles Rams, who are currently the number one seed in the NFC. It won’t get any easier after playing the Rams, as the Bears will then have to face off against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Remember what happened last time? The Bears are still trying to forget.
After playing the Packers, the Bears will likely get a win on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, but then they end the season against the Minnesota Vikings. That game could potentially be for the division title.
Of their final seven games, four games are against teams who currently have a winning record. Remember, the Bears haven’t won a game against a team with a winning record all season. Chicago might be the division leaders right now, but they shouldn’t get too comfortable.