The NFL trade deadline has passed, contenders have bolstered their rosters, and now the mad dash to the playoffs truly begins as we head into Week 10.
Looking around the league, the NFC North has cemented itself as the best division in football. If the regular season ended today, all four teams would be in the playoffs, though there can only be one division winner.
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Nick Foles knows all about the battles that occur in the NFC North year after year, and OutKick asked him who he believes will come out on top in the division during a recent interview.
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He didn’t say so specifically, but one of his former teams during his playing days is standing out right now. They also happen to be atop the division at 7-2.
“There’s something brewing in Chicago, even [Monday] night with, what was it, four interceptions or something? Caleb [Williams’] still slinging it. They’re playing and making plays. [Head coach] Ben Johnson is steady, calm, cool and collected. I think the big thing, too, is if anything happens in the game, watch how he handles the referees. He really doesn’t even mess with them — he’s on to the next one. He’s just locked in, and as players, you look at your head coach and how he responds.
“So, I look at that and say, ‘Man, this team is going to stay locked in. Calm, cool and collected.’”
The Bears are riding high on a four-game win streak, but have barely set themselves apart in the division because the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are 6-2, followed by a very good Green Bay Packers squad at 6-3.
But Foles sees something in the Bears this season that is different than when he was even there.
“Chicago’s always struggled with an explosive type of offense. They’ve always been a defensive, run-first-type of team. It’s different, man,” he said. “Defense is locked in. Dennis Allen is holding it down. Offense is just how many points are they going to score? They can go off at any time, even if you throw four interceptions. They’re still so dangerous.”
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Foles, though, doesn’t want to discredit the rest of the teams in the division, especially the Vikings with an amazing defensive unit that makes them very scary down the stretch. They also just traded for quarterback Kirk Cousins a day after OutKick interviewed Foles.
“Minnesota Vikings defense, Brian Flores with what he’s doing there — it’s outstanding. Their offense will be their downfall — not doing anything really,” Foles said. “I love the Green Bay Packers and how they’re playing right now. And Dan Campbell figuring it out with the Detroit Lions. That tenacity, the offense playing some good ball.”
The best part about the NFC North: these teams have to face each other at least one more time. Those will be pivotal division matchups, as all four teams are gunning for a playoff spot.
But as we see in the playoff picture, there is a world where all of them come out of the NFC North and secure a berth to play for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Only one team will have the home playoff game, though, with a chance to be home throughout the playoffs if things keep tracking.
Foles will get a good look at the Packers specifically during the first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game in a couple of weeks on Nov. 25. Just as he did for the inaugural Australia game, Foles will be on the Netflix panel alongside Packers legend Clay Matthews, Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin and Elle Duncan.
U2 will also celebrate 50 years together from the 50-yard line, as they perform at halftime with special guests during this new NFL holiday tradition.