NFC North

Even though most fans and analysts would tell you one of the biggest problems for the Chicago Bears this season has been their offensive line, Caleb Williams is here to push back against that theory.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Williams supported his offensive line by saying a "good amount" of the sacks he's taken this season are his own fault.

Bears QB Caleb Williams adamantly defended his offensive line today in a long answer.

Here's some of it: "The stupid connotation behind my offensive line being bad is not the truth. I’ve taken a good amount of sacks that have been my fault."

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) January 1, 2025

Williams has been sacked an NFL-high 67 times and lost 459 yards on those plays. C.J. Stroud is the only quarterback who has been sacked at least 50 times and lost more than 400 yards this season.

There is certainly more nuance to the discussion than simply saying the Bears offensive line is terrible, therefore it's their fault that Williams has been hit as many times as he has.

Williams ranks 31st out of 43 quarterbacks with at least 135 pass attempts in average time to throw (2.91 seconds). One of the criticisms of his game coming out of college was that he tended to hold onto the ball waiting for a big play to develop rather than push the easy button.

Here, though, is where you can feel the difference between a good pass protection and subpar pass protection. Williams' average time to throw is actually the same as Bo Nix, but the Denver Broncos rank first in ESPN's pass-block win rate and second in run-block win rate.

One of the biggest reasons Nix hasn't been impacted despite holding onto the ball as much as Williams does is his protection is arguably the best in the NFL.

The Bears rank 18th in pass-block win rate, which is probably better than most fans would assume. But the difference between being No. 1 and No. 18 is 13 percentage points (73 to 60).

It's funny to think back to the draft and offseason when analysts were praising the Bears for having a great situation around Williams. They have since fired their head coach and offensive coordinator during the season because of their struggles.

On the other hand, Nix stepped into what seemed like a chaotic situation with the Broncos. But he also got to work with one of the best offensive minds of this generation as his head coach in Sean Payton and a stout offensive line.

The results couldn't be more different, with the Broncos one win away from making the playoffs and the Bears riding a 10-game losing streak entering Week 18.

Williams does need to get better at getting rid of the ball on time and in rhythm, but the Bears have to invest in their offensive line this offseason to give him more time to make plays down the field.

With Jordan Love set to lead the Green Bay Packers into the playoffs for the second consecutive season, the organization's development of the 26-year-old quarterback is being praised.

One executive on a rival team told The Athletic's Jeff Howe the Packers' development plan for Love was "perfect" after selecting him in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

"They handled him perfectly," the executive said. "He had the physical talent coming out but was not ready, and they were patient with him, allowed him to learn from one of the smartest QBs and grow at his pace. He is definitely in the upper third (of all starting QBs) at this point and getting better."

When the Packers originally drafted Love, there was no indication it would take four seasons before he became their full-time starter. They were coming off an NFC Championship Game appearance in the 2019 season, but Aaron Rodgers looked like he was nearing the end of his prime.

Rodgers ranked 20th out of 30 qualified quarterbacks in QBR and 18th in passing EPA. He also had the worst bad-throw percentage in the NFL (21.2 percent).

Things turned around dramatically for Rodgers after Love was drafted. He won back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021, with the Packers earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs both times.

After Rodgers and the Packers took a step back in 2022, he was traded to the New York Jets to open the door for Love to finally get his opportunity. The Utah State alum responded by finishing second in touchdown passes (32) and seventh in passing yards (4,159) in the 2023 season.

Love was rewarded with a four-year, $220 million extension in the offseason. It was a big investment in a player with just one year of starting experience, but he has made the bet pay off with another terrific year in 2024.

The Packers enter Week 18 with an 11-5 record and a playoff spot already secured. Love missed two games early in the season because of a knee injury, but he still ranks in the top 10 in touchdown passes (25) and QBR (69.4).

As the Minnesota Vikings look to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs with Sam Darnold as their quarterback, the team's future direction at the position after selecting J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft is unclear.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the expectation is teams will "definitely" call the Vikings this offseason to inquire about McCarthy's availability.

“JJ McCarthy would’ve been a top if not THE top QB in this draft.”@AdamSchefter says teams will be calling the @Vikings to inquire about their rookie QB this offseason 👀 pic.twitter.com/ccgautztGb

— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) January 1, 2025

Darnold's performance as the starter in Minnesota has left the franchise in an enviable position going into the offseason.

The simplest solution would be to use the franchise tag on Darnold, give him another year to prove he's capable of playing at a high level and potentially sign him to a long-term deal after the 2025 season.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Vikings want Darnold back next season. The projected value for a quarterback on the franchise tag in 2025 is $41.3 million. Minnesota has more than enough cap space with an estimated $78.1 million available.

This scenario is complicated because if Darnold proves not to be the Vikings' long-term answer, they will have gone two years into McCarthy's rookie contract without seeing what he's capable of doing.

McCarthy was considered a developmental prospect coming out of Michigan due to his limited starting experience (29 games over two seasons) and the style of offense he played in.

It's not impossible for a young quarterback prospect to sit multiple years and still be successful in the NFL. Jordan Love is a prime example of that when he was drafted as a 21-year-old by the Green Bay Packers but didn't become the full-time starter until his fourth season.

Based on the current draft order, there are six teams picking in the top 10 that could be in the market for a new quarterback. The problem is there are only two quarterbacks with a first-round grade in the 2025 class, per the most recent big board from B/R's NFL scouting department.

Darnold doesn't turn 28 until June 5, so it's not like the Vikings have to worry about his age if they want to give him a long-term deal. He has thrown for 4,153 yards, 35 touchdowns and a 68.1 completion percentage in 16 starts this season.

Shopping McCarthy would also allow the Vikings to recoup some of the assets they gave up last year as part of their maneuvering to select him. They currently have just three picks in the 2025 draft, with their first-round selection being their only pick in the first four rounds.

Veteran guard for the Detroit Lions, Kevin Zeitler, had a simple solution for the team if they were to fall short on players—put head coach Dan Campbell in a jersey.

"He could probably suit up if we were desperate and needed him to — and just call plays from the huddle," Zeitler said, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. "Coach Campbell is all culture and attitude, and it's infectious."

Prior to his start as a coach in the NFL in 2015, Campbell was a tight end for ten years in the NFL.

Drafted out of Texas A&M in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft, Campbell spent his first four years with the New York Giants before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys and eventually finishing his playing career with the Detroit Lions.

Over his three-year tenure with the Lions, Campbell played in 19 games, collecting 330 yards on 34 receptions with four touchdowns.

Now, Campbell is on his way to leading the Lions on a potential Super Bowl run, as the team holds the second-best record (14-2) in the NFL, only behind the Kansas City Chiefs.

Let's just say if anything were to happen to star tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, Campbell may have something special in his bag to save the day.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell says Jared Goff has changed since losing to the San Francisco 49ers in last year's NFC Championship.

Goff threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns on Monday night to lead the Lions to a 40-34 win in a Week 17 rematch against the Niners.

"This is a different Jared Goff now. He's different. This guy has developed and matured, and he's just stepping into his prime," Campbell said, per NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "He just continues to get better and better. He's playing at an ultimate level right now.

"You find me a quarterback that's playing better than him in this league right now. I'd love to see it."

Campbell said after the game that he had considered sitting starters for Monday's game, which had no impact on playoff seeding. He ultimately fielded Goff alongside the Lions' top players in what will serve as preparation for a Week 18 battle against the Minnesota Vikings for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

While facing an early deficit to the 49ers, Goff involved Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in a 42-yard hook-and-ladder play to climb within one point of the 49ers.

He tied the game with a six-yard passing touchdown and a two-point conversion to start out the third, then put the Lions ahead with a short throw to St. Brown in the final seconds of the quarter.

GOFF TO AMON-RA ON 4TH & GOAL FOR THE LEAD 🔥

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/RwTUgRyiTe

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 31, 2024

Campbell wasn't the only one impressed by the performance. Goff received chants of his name from the Lions fans who made the trip to San Francisco as he headed off the field following the win.

"JARED GOFF! JARED GOFF! JARED GOFF!" @Lions fans showing their QB1 all the love 🩵 pic.twitter.com/vN5eDAjtYB

— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024

Goff hit a low earlier this season when he threw a career-high five interceptions during a Week 9 win over the Houston Texans.

When asked after that game if he had any concern about Goff going forward, Campbell answered, "None."

"Everybody's going to think we're crazy, you're going to think I'm crazy," Campbell said in a November appearance on 97.1 The Ticket (h/t Audacy's Will Burchfield.) "I'm telling you, he didn't play a bad game. He played a pretty good game... He's going where we're telling him to go with the ball and he's putting it where we're telling him to put it."

Campbell concluded: "He's doing exactly what we're asking him to do, so I'm not worried at all."

Campbell's faith in his QB1 turned out to be well-placed. In the seven games since his turnover struggles against the Texans, Goff has completed 71.7 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns and a single interception.

Over that six-win span he has ranked first among NFL quarterbacks in passing yards, passing touchdowns and passer rating (h/t The 33rd Team.)

Given injuries to multiple key defenders including Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill, the Lions will need to lean on their offense in Week 18. Campbell will look for another strong passing performance from Goff when Detroit plays for a shot at a first-round bye next Sunday.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown helped the Detroit Lions make NFL history with a Week 17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

The Lions are now the first team in league history to have two wide receivers and two running backs rack up quadruple-digit scrimmage yards in the same season.

The @Lions are the first team in @NFL history to have two RBs and two WRs all top 1,000 scrimmage yards in a single season.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/Vvgjs3Gscz

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) December 31, 2024

Gibbs, Williams and St. Brown each scored touchdowns to help lead the Lions to the win on Monday night.

David Montgomery has also hit the 1,000-yard mark despite missing the last two games with a knee injury. He remains off IR as the Lions hold out hope for his potential return this season.

Williams scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown in the victory, highlighted by the lateral pass he caught St. Brown before running 41 yards for a touchdown.

THE TRICKY @LIONS! JAMO TOUCHDOWN OFF THE LATERAL!

📺: #DETvsSF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/bfns6bNZf4

— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024

St. Brown caught a short touchdown pass late in the third quarter to pad the Lions' lead before Gibbs iced the victory with a 30-yard rushing touchdown in the final three minutes of the fourth.

Gibbs...GONE⚡️#DETvsSF | 📺 ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/UTbEHW9BmL

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 31, 2024

The quadruple 1,000 scrimmage yard milestone wasn't the only record the Lions' offensive stars set while helping their team improve to 8-0 on the road.

The victory also marked the ninth time this season St. Brown and Gibbs have recorded a touchdown in the same game, which tied three other duos for the most in NFL history, according to Lions PR.

St. Brown meanwhile matched Calvin Johnson Jr.'s franchise record with 11 receiving touchdowns in a single season, per Lions PR.

He and Gibbs could continue to make history in Week 18 as the Lions take on the visiting Minnesota Vikings in a battle for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The Lions will need another big performance from their offensive stars given the uncertainty regarding the availability of Montgomery, who was originally expected to require season-ending surgery before the team reportedly walked back that assessment, as well as the ongoing absence of key defenders including Aidan Hutchinson and Alex Anzalone.

Rather than lean on their defense like in early-season victories, the Lions will need to focus on outscoring the Vikings in order to secure a first-round bye. The cost of losing Sunday's game would be to begin the playoffs with a wild card game on the road.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is embracing the challenge of playing a Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings that will determine the NFC North champion and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Speaking to reporters after the Lions' 40-34 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Campbell called the upcoming game against the Vikings "fairytale stuff" with all that's at stake for both teams.

"This is what you're in it for, man," Campbell said. "You couldn't write a better scenario. You couldn't come up with this. The fact that both teams are sitting at 14-2 and it's for the division and the No. 1 seed. It just doesn't get any better than this. This is fairytale stuff."

Despite all of their recent injury woes, particularly on defense, the Lions continue to operate like a machine. They have scored at least 34 points in four consecutive games, going 3-1 during this stretch.

Campbell has done a great job of continuing to pump up his team by acknowledging no one is going to feel sympathy for them because of the players they have lost to injuries. The combination of their still-healthy talent and coaching has allowed them to keep playing at a high level.

Even though there was nothing at stake against the 49ers, the Lions played their starters for the entire game. They racked up 439 yards on offense and picked off Brock Purdy twice in the second half to eventually seal the win.

Despite having been atop the NFC standings for virtually the entire season, the Lions have had no margin for error because Minnesota has also been playing as well as any team in the NFL.

The Vikings enter Week 18 riding a nine-game winning streak that began after losing back-to-back games. Their first loss of the season was a 31-29 defeat to the Lions in Week 7 when Jake Bates made a go-ahead 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining.

It will be interesting to see how deep into the bag of tricks both coaching staffs go to win because of what securing the No. 1 seed in the playoffs has historically meant for going to the Super Bowl.

Since the NFL expanded to the 14-team playoff format four years ago, the only non-division winner to reach the Super Bowl was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. The No. 1 seed in the NFC has advanced to the Super Bowl in each of the past two years.

The Vikings and Lions will play the final game of the 2024 regular season at Ford Field on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET.

The Detroit Lions' matchup against the San Francisco 49ers was essentially meaningless for the Lions, with the top seed in the NFC playoffs and the NFC North title coming down to Week 18's showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

That doesn't mean that the game didn't highlight one particularly concerning trend in Detroit.

The defense yet again struggled to slow down an opposing offense, though the electrifying Lions' offense ultimately led the way in a 40-34 shootout win.

And the result might have been closer had San Francisco's Jake Moody not missed two field goals and an extra point, or if Brock Purdy didn't throw a pair of inexplicable interceptions in the second half.

KERBY JOSEPH PICKS OFF BROCK PURDY FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT 🔥

That's his league-leading ninth INT this season 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/2V7Ts6C3kU

— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2024

pic.twitter.com/3xddMeZKx8

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 31, 2024

Remember, this was a Niners team (6-10) that has now lost six of its last seven games and has been held to 17 or fewer points in five of the past seven.

Jared Goff led the way for the Lions, finishing 26-of-34 for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown.

THE LIONS HIT THE HOOK & LADDER FOR A RIDICULOUS 42-YARD TOUCHDOWN ✨

LIONS OC BEN JOHNSON IN HIS BAG ONCE AGAIN 🔥#DETvsSF | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+

(via @Lions)pic.twitter.com/a7uIvaVNeg

— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2024

Lions take their first lead of the game with the TD on fourth down 🔥

Amon-Ra's celly 😂 pic.twitter.com/8jirxvays1

— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2024

JAHMYR GIBBS TURNED THE CORNER AND WAS GONE 🔥#DETvsSF | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/pxevkrcQrx

— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2024

Yes, the Lions are amazing on the offensive side of the ball.

And yes, they've been ravaged by injuries on defense, so it's easy to understand why the struggles have emerged. But it's become a big enough concern to put their Super Bowl aspirations in major jeopardy, as fans and pundits were quick to point out on social media:

Sam Darnold watching the Lions’ defense so far: pic.twitter.com/zk4PZx1N52

— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) December 31, 2024

There will be an absurd amount of pressure on the Lions offense in January. I’m not sure this works.

— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) December 31, 2024

This game might not mean anything for playoff implications, but the #Lions defense shouldn’t get pushed around like that. Especially against a undermanned #49ers offense.

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) December 31, 2024

The 49ers have four touchdowns and a missed field goal in five possessions so far tonight. The Lions are yet to really get a stop on defense. That has to be a major concern for a team with such major aspirations.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 31, 2024

Lions offense is ridiculous.

Defense stinks though

— Chris (@DaRuffWay_) December 31, 2024

Lions defense at this point is "we make one stop" offense will take us home mode

— AJAR (@KingAjar) December 31, 2024

@Lions our defense gotta tighten up we gotta play Better on Defense Fellas ‼️‼️‼️

— dill (@dill_Twoooo) December 31, 2024

This Lions pass defense is not good. The Vikings should be able to feast through the air.

— Guy N. Limbeck (@PBglimbeck) December 31, 2024

This MNF match up is turning out to be a great offensive shootout. But that being said, it really makes you wonder if the lions can truly keep up with the high powered offense alone. Their defense has to be able to make stops or they will not make it.

— Christopher Nelson (@SportsguyNelson) December 31, 2024

The Lions are incredibly fun to watch on offense and they are good enough to beat a number of teams in shootouts, as evidenced by their 14-2 record. But in the NFC, teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings—and in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs—are far more balanced on both sides of the ball.

What happens if the Vikings or Eagles get more defensive stops in the playoffs and the defense can't slow down those offenses? Can Detroit really bank on simply winning every playoff game on elite offense alone?

One of the oldest clichés in sports is that defenses win championships, and it persists for a reason. In the NFL, it's perhaps more accurate to say that great quarterbacks aided by strong defenses win championships. But it's pretty darn hard to reach the Super Bowl and win it without both components in place.

The Chicago Bears' long-term future largely rests on whether quarterback Caleb Williams lives up to the elevated expectations that were put in place when he was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft, but that reportedly hasn't stopped the NFC North team from looking into someone with an extensive defensive background for its head coaching vacancy.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Monday that Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is "connected to the position" and earned "strong reviews" when Bears president Kevin Warren asked around about the candidate in Minnesota.

Warren previously worked for the Vikings for 15 years and presumably still has plenty of connections with the organization. What's more, Bears general manager Ryan Poles was teammates with Flores at Boston College in 2003.

Still, Flores is a defensive coach who was a longtime assistant for the New England Patriots on that side of the ball before he became the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 through 2021.

While his Vikings have been largely dominant this season on the way to an NFC-best 14-2 record, his time in Miami was inconsistent at best.

Flores went 24-25 overall and never made the playoffs, although the Dolphins did go 10-6 in his second season but missed the playoffs because of the overall strength of the AFC and division that year.

His time in Miami also made headlines this year when Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Flores said he sucked and didn't belong in his position. For his part, Flores said after that interview he was "genuinely happy" for Tagovailoa's success and wanted to learn from the situation to help him grow moving forward.

“If you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don’t belong, that you shouldn’t be here, that you haven’t earned this…

and then someone come and tells you, ‘You are the best fit for this…How you that make you feel?”

- @Tua describes the… pic.twitter.com/bBHI6IsVlj

— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) August 19, 2024

With that as the backdrop, Breer pointed out Flores will "have to lay out a plan for how things would be different with Williams than they were with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami."

That would make hiring Flores somewhat tricky for the Bears, as they need to maximize Williams' talent and potential if they are going to turn things around in the near future. They have long searched for the answer at quarterback, and how Williams performs in the coming years will determine whether he is the answer or yet another disappointment in a long list of them.

Given that situation, a coach with an offensive background may make more sense even if the Bears are impressed with what they've seen from looking into Flores.

Concerns exist surrounding Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff's ability to remain effective in a cold playoff environment on the road.

"I don't want Goff in Philly or some place like that in the wintertime," an NFL executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic. "I'd rather have him home in the dome, which is why this last game is so critical."

The Minnesota Vikings currently own the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture with a 14-2 record, but the Lions could hold an identical record if they're able to defeat the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.

If Detroit wins, it sets up a matchup between the two NFC North teams in Week 18 that'll decide which squad earns the top spot in the conference to go along with a first-round bye. The loser will sit at No. 5 in the NFC standings entering the postseason.

The No. 1 seed also ensures home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, meaning that the Lions won't have to leave dome-covered Ford Field unless they reach the Super Bowl.

Detroit is coming off an NFC Championship Game appearance last season, hosting two playoff contests at Ford Field before traveling to Levi's Stadium to face the 49ers in the conference title game.

Goff's last road playoff contest in a cold atmosphere occurred when he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, suffering a 32-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in the divisional round. He finished 21-of-27 for 174 yards and a touchdown in the defeat.

The Rams answer back quickly.

Goff to Van Jefferson for the touchdown! #RamsHouse #NFLPlayoffs

📺: #LARvsGB on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nMJSN7Rn8Z pic.twitter.com/qB4RZ9vNir

— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2021

The 30-year-old is currently putting together another impressive year in Detroit, completing a career-high 71.4 percent of his throws for 4,095 yards and 33 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions.

JARED GOFF TO JAMESON WILLIAMS. 82-YARD TOUCHDOWN.

📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/x2g80Yw1vV

— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

Goff has looked particularly sharp as of late, passing for 830 yards and eight touchdowns without getting picked off over his past two appearances.

He'll look to close out the regular season on a high note and attempt to help Detroit clinch the No. 1 seed, starting with the 49ers on Monday. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET.