NFC North standings: How Packers win over Lions on Thanksgiving impacts divisional race in Week 13

NFC North standings: How Packers win over Lions on Thanksgiving impacts divisional race in Week 13 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When Week 13 began, the Chicago Bears found themselves sitting on top of the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) and the Detroit Lions (7-4) were directly on their heels with the Minnesota Vikings (4-7) bringing up the division's rear.

The Packers and Lions met in a classic Thanksgiving game in Week 13, while the Bears are slated to take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday, and the Vikings face the Seattle Seahawks. Green Bay and Detroit played in a shootout that saw the Packers pick up the 31-24 win.

Here is more on how the Packers' win over the Lions on Thanksgiving impacts the NFC North division standings in Week 13.

MORE WEEK 13 NFL:

• NFL power rankings for Week 13

• NFL Week 13 picks, predictions

• NFL Week 13 picks against the spread

NFC North standings

Team

Record

Bears

8-3

Packers

8-3-1

Lions

7-5

Vikings

4-7

The division order didn't change after the Packers beat the Lions, but Green Bay closed the gap on Chicago. The Bears are only a half-game up on the Packers. If Chicago loses to Philadelphia on Friday, Green Bay will move into first place in the division. If the Bears beat the Eagles on Friday, they will be a game and a half up on the Packers.

There are only five weeks left in the regular season. Chicago still has two games against Green Bay and has Detroit in Week 18. Barring a monumental comeback by Minnesota, those three teams figure to be in the mix for the NFC North title as the regular season comes to a close.

MORE: Packers record on Thanksgiving

Packers upcoming schedule

Here is a look at Green Bay's schedule to end the regular season. The Packers arguably have the toughest slate left in the division with two games left against the Bears, and then meetings with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, both of whom currently lead their respective divisions in the AFC.

Week

Opponent

14

vs. Bears

15

at Broncos

16

at Bears

17

vs. Ravens

18

at Vikings

MORE: Ranking the greatest Packers of all time

Lions upcoming schedule

The Lions have to figure out their offense and quickly. They have another Thursday primetime game next week against the Dallas Cowboys before tough games against the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is also definitely a scenario where Week 18 against the Bears is for the division.

Week

Opponent

14

vs. Cowboys (TNF)

15

at Rams

16

vs. Steelers

17

at Vikings

18

at Bears

MORE: Why do the Lions always play on Thanksgiving?

Bears upcoming schedule

Chicago can't let up after the game against Philadelphia. The Bears will face the Packers in two of their next three games before ending the season with the San Francisco 49ers and the Lions.

Week

Opponent

14

at Packers

15

vs. Browns

16

vs. Packers

17

at 49ers

18

vs. Lions

MORE: Ranking the greatest Lions of all time

Vikings upcoming schedule

Minnesota is teetering on playoff elimination. JJ McCarthy has struggled mightily at times this season, leaving his future at the position uncertain. In the short term, Minnesota has three straight games against the NFC East before finishing against Detroit and Green Bay. The Vikings have a better chance of playing spoiler than anything, but it isn't quite time to start thinking about the offseason just yet.

Week

Opponent

14

vs. Commanders

15

at Cowboys (SNF)

16

at Giants

17

vs. Lions (Christmas Day)

18

vs. Packers