The Detroit Lions earned a much-needed bye week in Week 8, while the rest of the NFC North continues to hammer away at their standing in the division. The Green Bay Packers won their highly anticipated bout against the Aaron Rodgers-led Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Chicago Bears lost their game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Helping Detroit even more, the Minnesota Vikings lost their Thursday night contest against the Los Angeles Chargers earlier in the week.
This leaves the Lions in a close battle for first place with the Packers, and the Vikings and Bears just scrambling to stay alive in the race.