NFC North Rundown: Vikings’ rally falls short as playoff positioning takes a hit

Whether or not the Green Bay Packers showed enough to convince fans they were contenders, they still showed up on the winning end Sunday in New Jersey. The Packers rolled to 9-3 with a 31-13 win over the Giants after a humiliating loss in San Francisco last week. With the win, the Packers maintained their first place standing in the NFC North and have an opportunity to further cement that ranking with a winnable game versus Washington this weekend.

Green Bay kept its top spot atop the division due in part to Minnesota faltering against Seattle in a difficult road test. The Vikings staged a rally, but came up short after their defense let them down once again, particularly one of the unit’s top players from recent years.

Meanwhile, Chicago had a rally of its own to take down Detroit on Thanksgiving in front of the Lions’ own crowd. It was yet another fourth-quarter collapse for Detroit this season.

More on the Lions defying their win probability as well as the Vikings’ road woes in today’s rundown.

Detroit Lions (3-8-1)

Lost 24-20 vs. Chicago; Next at Minnesota

Opinion: Lions blow it again on Thanksgiving, fall apart vs. Bears, and no one should be surprised

“Blough didn’t blow it.” But the Lions still faded in the fourth quarter with the game on the line in front of their Thanksgiving faithful.

The Lions have lost 6 games after holding more than 60% win probability in fourth quarter

Close, but no cigar? Detroit has led in every game this season, but has let many late leads slip away.

Lions letting ‘Bo be Bo’ as Scarbrough continues to impress

The back known for his big hands, power, and measurables has found a way to contribute in Detroit and may have a role for more than this season.

Minnesota Vikings (8-4)

Lost 37-30 at Seattle; Next vs. Detroit

Vikings dig too deep of a hole, fall to Seahawks 37-30

Allowing 24 unanswered points and 444 total yards of offense doomed Minnesota on Monday night.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook avoids serious injury to shoulder

Cook did not return after suffering the injury after halftime, but claims it was for precautionary reasons.

Vikings Can’t Afford to Play Xavier Rhodes Anymore and He Knows It

The former Pro Bowler still has not rebounded from early-season blunders and had another one against the Seahawks.

Chicago Bears (6-6)

Won 24-20 at Detroit; Next vs. Dallas

Stock up, stock down: Bears-Lions II

A come-from-behind victory for Chicago was helped along by somewhat of an afterthought at wide receiver.

WATCH: Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky mic’d up on game-winning drive vs. Lions

A 90-yard drive at the end of the game brought home the win and here are the sights and sounds behind it.

WR Taylor Gabriel, CB Prince Amukamara among 5 Bears starters in doubt vs. Cowboys

In an early game week with Chicago taking the field Thursday, the Bears may be without a handful of injured starters.