Four Verts: Lions-Packers headlines a division that’s lived up to the hype, while Brock Bowers should be OROY

The final stretch of the season is here. The AFC playoff race is just about set, the NFC is duking it out and there’s a host of teams just waiting to be officially eliminated from the playoffs.

This week’s Four Verts starts with a division that’s the very definition of duking it out.

NFC North is living up to the hype

Coming into the season, all four teams in the NFC North had a reason for hope. Three of them still do, with the Lions, Packers and Vikings each being among the elite in the NFL this season. All three of those teams are likely going to make the playoffs, barring catastrophe over the final few weeks. The Lions have command of this division as one of the best teams in the NFL, but the Packers’ chances as the division winner can increase with a huge game on Thursday night at Detroit. The Bears, well, are still having a Bears-like season, but the rest of the division is primed to make noise in the playoffs.

The Lions have been just an incredibly dominant team this season, especially on offense. According to TruMedia, the Lions’ offense ranks first in success rate (48.6%), points per drive (2.84), first downs and touchdowns per play (6.44), success rate on dropbacks (53.1%) and rushing attempts (46.9%). They also rank in the top five of most expected points stats and have converted 45.7% of their third downs. They’ve combined competent quarterback play, arguably the best running back duo in the league and a rock star offensive line to just mow down opposing defenses. Ben Johnson has a huge chest of talent to reach into, making his job as a play-caller much easier.

(Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports)

Their defense, which has been good this year, faces a tough test against the Packers, who boast an offense that’s been among the league’s best over the past month of the season. Since Week 9, the Packers rank first in yards per play (6.6), fourth in points per drive (2.76) and third in success rate on dropbacks (51.8%). This offense is playing like a machine…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/four-verts-lions-packers-headlines-a-division-thats-lived-up-to-the-hype-while-brock-bowers-should-be-oroy-231907171.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-12-04 23:19:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.