All the Chicago Bears did on Thursday was trade for one of the best defensive players in the sport in Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans. The Bears essentially gave up two first-round picks for the move, and while that may seem like overpaying (it is), the Bears are in an all-in window.
If Chicago hoists the Lomardi Trophy in February, no one will care about those picks. Simmons brings four Pro Bowls, 46.5 sacks and 96 quarterback hits to a Bears defense that could use interior pressure and his ability against the run.
Now that this step is out of the way, let’s take a look at some NFC North power rankings.
The NFC North rankings have been updated following the trade of behemoth Jeffery Simmons
4. Green Bay Packers, 4-3
The Green Bay Packers sit at 4-3 entering Thursday Night Football against the Carolina Panthers, a game they should win. The main thing the Packers have gone through this year is a ton of injuries, and it’s just about how ‘low’ this team can get.
They seem to have a high floor, if nothing else, but the injuries they’ve dealt with will likely hinder their success this year. Still a team good enough to make the playoffs as a Wild Card, the Packers are No. 4 in our power rankings, perhaps the ‘best’ last ranked team in a division in the NFL.
3. Detroit Lions, 4-2
The Detroit Lions come in at No. 3 in our NFC North power rankings. Kerby Joseph is back at practice, so the Lions may be approaching a period of time where the defense is finally getting their ‘top dogs’. The Lions are No. 3 in our power rankings but there is someone in Jared Goff who could be the best quarterback in the sport this year.
Naturally you still have concerns about this defense, as we’ve seen this team struggle to contain opposing offenses, and they haven’t gotten the benefit of the doubt at this point.
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