 celebrates after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27197722.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27197722.jpg”><figcaption><span>Sep 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</span></figcaption></figure><div class='code-block code-block-3' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>
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This year may be a race to win the division right to the end, just like last year. Only this year, it may seem more like a stumble to the finish line, rather than two teams battling to the end.
The only honest thing that can be said about the NFC North’s performance so far is that it is unstable. Just when it seems things are coming into focus, we get a new wrinkle in the division.
The NFC North stays unpredictable as the Vikings battle injuries in Dublin, nearly rally against the Steelers, and the Packers avoid a result.
The day started with the Vikings taking on the Steelers in Dublin, with an almost come-from-behind win, and ended with the Packers neither winning nor losing.
A Peek at the NFC North after Week 4
Vikings at Steelers
The Vikings were part of history as they traveled to Dublin, Ireland, for the NFL’s first game in the country. Kevin O’Connell has had to make a patchwork offensive line since day one this year, and it just keeps getting more patches.
The game started with only right guard Donovan Jackson out due to some wrist surgery, and it ended with 60% of the offensive linemen injured. In the game, right tackle Brian O’Neill got his knee injured on an early field goal and didn’t return. Center Ryan Kelly got put into concussion protocol again mid-contest.
 directs a play during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL International Series game at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_27193588.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=728,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_27193588.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_27193588.jpg” alt ><figcaption>Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) directs a play during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL International Series game at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>To add insult to injury, backup center Michael Jurgens got injured in the game, leaving left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right guard Will Fries as the only healthy starters left.</p>
<p>The game started on a great note with Jalen Redmond sacking Aaron Rodgers right out of the gate. It looked like the defense might feast on a Pittsburgh offensive line that had been struggling. What was needed was for the offense to get into a rhythm that had been lacking in the previous two games.</p>
<p>With the first drive, it looked like that might not happen as Jordan Mason fumbled near the sidelines and the Steelers ran it back for a touchdown. Luckily, the ball was ruled out of bounds, and the Vikings dodged an early bullet. The drive resulted in another Will Reichard field goal.</p>
<p>The next drive saw the Steelers march down the field for a touchdown, and the Vikings seemed to keep tripping over themselves while Carson Wentz was running for his life behind the patchwork line the rest of the game. This has been the Vikings’ M.O. with the defense performing well, but the offense not holding up its end of the bargain most of the time.</p>
<p>While Carson Wentz threw two interceptions, Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball on a scramble that popped right into a trailing lineman’s hands instead of to the Vikings. It was becoming that sort of day. Then the Vikings suddenly came to life in the fourth quarter. Wentz had been feeding Justin Jefferson the ball most of the game, but Jordan Addison was the one who broke free and should have scored a touchdown when the Steelers blew their coverage.</p>
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Zavier Scott got his first career touchdown on a pass from Wentz, and Jalen Nailor added a 2-point conversion catch. The Vikings then drove the field with Nailor getting a touchdown catch, and suddenly the Vikings were only down by 3 points. They managed to regain possession of the ball and were set up for a game-winning drive or a tying field goal.
It almost happened as the Steelers had two penalties that helped the Vikings get down the field a bit. It looked like it was all over when Wentz threw his third interception, but the review showed the ball was bobbled, and the Vikings’ chances were still alive. However, the way they played the rest of the game returned, and they ended up going backwards and losing with a thud.
The thing that bothers me is that the potential to win and even make a comeback, as we saw against the Bears, is there, but the team keeps tripping over itself. They enter this week’s game against the Browns with their 12th offensive lineman on the roster, and it’s only Week 5.
Lions vs Browns
Are the Lions the same old Lions, or are they the Lions of the last few years? It’s still in question, but this week they appeared to be the most recent version.
The Browns stunned the Packers by winning with a last-second field goal and keeping things in check, according to some, with what is being called the best defense in the league. This week, the Lions sliced and diced that defense while stymying the Browns’ questionable offense.
 celebrates a touchdown against Cleveland Browns during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27196008.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27196008.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27196008.jpg” alt=”The Lions of the NFC North in Week 4 of 2025″><figcaption>Detroit Lions punt returner Kalif Raymond (11) celebrates a touchdown against Cleveland Browns during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>The Lions got Joe Flacco sent to the bench and replaced him with rookie Dillon Gabriel for their matchup against the Vikings this week. The Browns didn’t look good at all in this game, and the Lions appeared to be the team that won the division last year.</p>
<p><strong>Bears at Raiders</strong></p>
<p>This game was expected to be a snoozefest, featuring two teams that aren’t very good, and the first half confirmed that with a 14-9 Raiders lead at halftime. The game was more exciting than most expected. The Raiders seemed to have control most of the game, with running back Aston Jeanty having a breakout day.</p>
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The Packers should have destroyed the Cowboys. While I think the Packers are a playoff team they are not a strong one and look like, at this point a team that would take any early exit. They still have time to straighten things out.
The Bears are still not that good and didn’t beat a quality team last weekend. However, they have won and lost more often than the Vikings. As they play better opponents, their record will start to reflect that. They have too many inconsistencies that will hold them back until they are corrected.
While the Vikings aren’t completely banjaxed, they also aren’t grand as my friends in Ireland would say. The injuries have to be factored in at this point and are not just an excuse.
 runs for a gain during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL International Series game at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27193361.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=816,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27193361.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27193361.jpg” alt><figcaption>Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) runs for a gain during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL International Series game at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>It wasn’t for the Lions last year when they got bounced in the first round of the playoffs after pushing past them during the regular season. What is interesting is that, despite the injuries and Wentz not playing particularly well, the Vikings were still in the game with a chance to pull it off in the end.</p>
<p>Something the team is avoiding so far is a quarterback controversy with Wentz not doing much to keep JJ McCarthy from returning as soon as he’s available. If you’re one of those people who think they’re hiding McCarthy behind an injury, you probably should run out to the mailbox and grab your issue of Alien Conspiracies and Area 51. He’s hurt, and that’s it.</p>
<p>You saw it on your TV when he scrambled towards the sideline in the Falcons game, and his ankle gets tweaked, and then he limps. While I don’t expect him back until after the bye week, he will be back as soon as his ankle allows. Wentz has been OK but not sensational in his play with the terrible Bengals padding his stats. The Vikings need to win this weekend because after the bye, things get really tough.</p>
<p>Week 5 or 6 is when the season for teams really starts to take shape. Until the Vikings improve their health, we may not see who they really are for a few more games. Hopefully, that is before the season is lost.</p>
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I’m a small-town boy with12 years in telecommunications and 13 years in radio but a lifetime as a Vikings … More about Tony Schultz