A look at upcoming schedules shows the Lions could soon get some help in fending off the Packers, Vikings and Bears in the NFC North race

The Detroit Lions are surging right now. They're 9-1 and have won seven straight games. They're the top team in the NFC North and the NFC as a whole. Still, the pesky Packers and Vikings keep finding ways to win games and are right behind the Lions in the race for the North. What gives?  […]

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Lon Horwedal Imagn Images, Steve Roberts-Imagn Images, Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images and Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions are surging right now. They're 9-1 and have won seven straight games. They're the top team in the NFC North and the NFC as a whole. Still, the pesky Packers and Vikings keep finding ways to win games and are right behind the Lions in the race for the North. What gives? 

We decided to take a look at the upcoming schedules for all three of the Lions foes to see if there are any teams in there that can help the Lions out here. This is what we found. 

Packers

  • Vs 49ers
  • Vs Dolphins 
  • At Lions
  • At Seahawks
  • Vs Saints
  • At Vikings
  • Vs Bears

Here's what I see with the Packers upcoming schedule. I see two teams right off the bat that are just underperforming right now, but have capabilities to get hot come playoff drive time. I see them having to play the Lions at home and then having to turn around and play in front of the 12th man in Seattle. Then they have to go to Minnesota. This is a rough set of games for them. 

Vikings 

  • At Bears
  • Vs Cardinals
  • Vs Falcons
  • Vs Bears
  • At Seahawks
  • Vs Packers
  • At Lions

It's a bit of easier road for the Vikings, but they have to beat the pretty good Cardinals that currently lead the NFC West. Then they have the emotional return game for Kirk Cousins and the Falcons. Anything can happen in that one. They have to play in Seattle just like the Packers and that is not an easy place to play. They also have to play in Detroit too. It's easier than the Packers schedule, but there's some sneaky teams in here that can make a play and four divisional games is no easy feat. 

Bears

  • Vs Vikings
  • At Lions 
  • At 49ers
  • At Vikings
  • Vs Lions
  • Vs Seahawks
  • At Packers

What a murderers row for the Bears on the road. That would be tough for any team to get through. The Bears aren't the big concern for the Lions in the race, but you never know. The hope is that the Bears can help play spoilers for the Viking and the Packers down the road. They nearly did it to the Packers on Sunday. Don't fully write this team off yet. 

Related Articles