APC FanPulse Results, Week 4: Nobody knows who to believe in the NFC North

This week, the FanPulse survey results are flowing in from across the NFC North, as fans of all four teams in the division were asked a simple question: what team is the best team in the division after three games?

These results came in before the Minnesota Vikings’ 38-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but they seemed to be the overall winners in the poll despite their 1-1-1 start and inexplicable loss at home to the Buffalo Bills. However, fans of three of the four teams rated their own teams as the best in the division, with Lions fans giving the Vikings a slight edge over Detroit.

Let’s take a look first at how fans of the Green Bay Packers felt:

Here’s the best rationale I can come up with for these results: the Packers were on the road in their surprising loss, the Vikings lost to a 17-point underdog at home, and the Bears are 2-1 on the backs of wins over a banged-up Seahawks team and a Cardinals squad that looks like one of if not the worst in the NFL.

Other teams’ fans did not view the Packers nearly as highly, however, as you can see from their results:

Each team has reasons for both doubt and confidence. The Packers’ defense has looked alternately excellent and awful, while the offense continues to struggle mightily in the red zone. Minnesota’s passing game looks good, but the defense — expected to be one of the league’s best — is in shambles. The Bears haven’t beaten any strong teams yet, while the Lions have one quality win — an upset over the Patriots — but lost big to the Jets in week one and narrowly to the 49ers.

Packers Confidence Index

As for Packers fans’ overall confidence in the team, there was some slippage this week as one would expect following an upset loss. Coming into week three the APC confidence level was 85 percent, which was an increase of 9% over the results prior to the Packers’ tie with the Vikings. However, that number plummeted by 32 points to just 53% after losing to Washington.

We’ll continue to keep a close eye on these numbers as the season goes along. Remember, if you want to have your opinions heard, click here to join the APC FanPulse survey team.