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NFL Power Rankings: Division Rankings After Week 15

By Brad Rowland

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and Denver Broncos strong safety David Bruton (30) celebrate beating the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and Denver Broncos strong safety David Bruton (30) celebrate beating the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bears strong safety Ryan Mundy (21) and Charles Tillman looks on against the New Orleans Saints in the second half of their game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears strong safety Ryan Mundy (21) and Charles Tillman looks on against the New Orleans Saints in the second half of their game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

5) NFC North

When the standard bearer of your division loses and the collective performance sits at 1-3, falling in the rankings should be expected. The Green Bay Packers took an unexpected loss in Buffalo in Week 15, and Aaron Rodgers looked, frankly, human in the process. Rodgers is arguably the best quarterback in football, but a 17-for-42 performance with 185 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions isn’t good for anyone, and it borderlines on disaster for him. Still, Green Bay does have 10 wins, and it would be somewhat irresponsible to knock them too much for losing in a very tough road environment.

The other 10-win team in the NFC North, the Detroit Lions, did get a win over the weekend, albeit in a close battle against a divisional opponent in Minnesota. The Lions did not play particularly well, but this season has been different in Detroit, with the club somehow escaping with close wins instead of taking brutal defeats. The Vikings aren’t great at 6-8, but they certainly should be treated as frisky at this point in the season.

Sadly, the NFC North is weighed down heavily by Chicago, who lost their third straight game in ugly fashion on Monday night. We are probably in “fire everyone” mode with the Bears right now after the infighting that has taken place between Jay Cutler and the coaching staff, but regardless, things are ugly in the Windy City, and this is a team that I am treating with worse disdain than your typical 5-9 group.

Next: AFC West

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