What is it about football in the north?
One year after the AFC North made NFL history by having all four of its teams finish with winning records, the NFC North is trying to replicate the feat.
All three teams that were in action Sunday won again, while the undefeated Vikings watched on a bye week their cushions in the division shrink.
The NFC North is the first division since realignment in 2002 with all four teams each having at least four wins through six weeks.
But how do those teams stack up against the rest of the NFL?
Here are The Post’s power rankings for Week 7:
1. Chiefs 5-0 (1)
The last time that the Chiefs were 5-0 was Patrick Mahomes’ first year starting – before the three Super Bowl rings – in 2018. He enjoyed his bye week by attending Royals playoff games, though his magic didn’t rub off. How much longer can the Chiefs get turn-back-the-clock performances from NFL cast-offs running back Kareem Hunt and receiver Juju Smith-Schuster?
2. Vikings 5-0 (2)
No lock to start when training camp began, Sam Darnold unexpectedly has entered the MVP conversation by throwing for 1,111 yards and 11 touchdowns during an undefeated start. Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy defense had the second-most sacks (20) in the NFL entering their bye week, led by Patrick Jones II (five). An automatic kicker, Will Reichard, helps, too.
3. Lions 4-1 (3)
The Lions came close to driving a stake in head coach Mike McCarthy’s career by dealing the Cowboys their fourth-largest home margin of defeat in franchise history. Jared Goff tossed three touchdown passes and David Montgomery – fresh off his contract extension – ran for two touchdowns in the 47-9 blowout. But pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a gruesome season-ending leg injury.
4. Texans 5-1 (4)
C.J. Stroud – whose 2023 season was model for what a rookie quarterback can be – introduced the Patriots’ Drake Maye to the NFL in his first career start. Stroud threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers, Joe Mixon rushed for 102 yards and Will Anderson sacked Maye three times during a 41-21 blowout to mark a third straight victory
5. Ravens 4-2 (5)
Lamar Jackson threw for 323 yards and a touchdown to outplay rookie Jayden Daniels – who some say is the closest thing to the next Jackson – in a 30-23 victory against the Commanders. Derrick Henry ran for two touchdowns, Mark Andrews finally caught a touchdown pass and the defense forced the incredibly accurate Daniels into a season-high-tying 11 incompletions.
6. Bills 4-2 (6)
Josh Allen was a one-man band with two touchdown passes and a touchdown run as the Bills beat the Jets, 23-20, in a battle for the AFC East lead. Tyler Bass atoned for any earlier miss by kicking the tie-breaking 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left and Taron Johnson ended the Jets’ final possession with a diving interception.
7. Falcons 4-2 (8)
One game after Kirk Cousins threw for 507 yards, the Falcons became a ground attack, with Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson combining for 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 38-20 win against the Panthers. Cousins quietly passed for 225 yards and a score. It was their third straight win – all against NFC South rivals.
8. Packers 4-2 (9)
In his return from a one-game suspension for skipping practice, Romeo Doubs caught two of Jordan Love’s four touchdown passes in a 34-13 win against the Cardinals. Nine different players in all caught passes from Love, who directed four straight scoring drives to build a 24-0 lead. The Packers forced three takeaways.
9. Buccaneers 4-2 (10)
The Buccaneers actually trailed a shootout with 20 minutes remaining before exploding for 24 unanswered points in a 51-27 win against the Saints. Baker Mayfield overcame three interceptions with four touchdown passes, including two on 11 catches by Chris Godwin. Sean Tucker, who entered the game with 30 career rushing yards, ran for 136 and a touchdown.
10. Commanders 4-2 (7)
Daniels connected on two touchdown passes with Terry McLaurin but one of the league’s most explosive offenses was one-dimensional without injured running back Brian Robinson Jr. A committee of rushers managed 52 yards on 18 carries. The Commanders had their four-game winning streak snapped because the defense allowed 484 yards, including scoring drives of 93 and 94 yards.
11. Steelers 4-2 (12)
12. Eagles 3-2 (14)
13. Chargers 3-2 (15)
14. 49ers 3-3 (17)
15. Broncos 3-3 (13)
16. Bears 4-2 (21)
17. Cowboys 3-3 (11)
18. Cardinals 2-4 (23)
19. Jets 2-4 (19)
The debuts of interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich and new play-caller Todd Downing couldn’t stop the Jets from losing a third straight. Aaron Rodgers completed one of his signature end-of-half Hail Mary touchdowns to Allen Lazard, but the Jets couldn’t overcome 11 penalties for 110 yards even with a 100-yard rusher and two 100-yard receivers.
20. Seahawks 3-3 (18)
21. Bengals 2-4 (23)
22. Colts 3-3 (24)
23. Saints 2-4 (20)
24. Giants 2-4 (22)
The defense played well enough to win, especially considering Azeez Ojulari (two sacks) was filling in for Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Malik Nabers-less offense scored just one touchdown and Daniel Jones threw an inexplicable end-zone interception. The special teams – namely, Greg Joseph – missed two field goals in a 17-7 loss to the Bengals that dropped the Giants to 0-3 at home.
