Minnesota’s upcoming schedule ranks easier than the Lions, Bears, and Packers, keeping the door open for a late-season push.

Why, you ask? Well, the Minnesota Vikings are now firmly in the mix. The club went into Ford Field and took down the Detroit Lions, 27-24. On top of simply notching a divisional win, the key development in this game and what makes the victory hold bigger ramifications for the second half was the return of J.J. McCarthy.

"I think Dan (Campbell) said it in there, I don’t know if he said it to you guys, but a little adversity at this point in the season isn’t always the worst thing for you."

Tim Twentyman takes a look at where all four teams in the NFC North stand heading into Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season.

Halfway through the regular season, the Lions currently sit at 5-3. In Week 9, the Lions suffered a loss to the Minnesota Vikings at home. This decision dropped them to 1-2 in the division, marking the first time the Lions have lost two divisional games since the 2023 season.

Not to be hyperbolic, but the Detroit Lions’ 27–24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings might go down as the most surprisingly unprepared and disappointing efforts of the Dan Campbell era. Coming off a bye,