…and the NFC North picture is becoming more clear by the day.

The New York Jets played an awful lot like the recent Chicago Bears at the Meadowlands this afternoon, turning the ball over on the Packers side of the field three times and allowing their punter to call his own fake with eighteen yards needed on an early fourth down.  (I’m still shaking my head over this.)  With the Packers victory they are now alone at the top of the North, playing the quit-on-the-season Cowboys at Lambeau next Sunday night.

The Minnesota Vikings, at least, have a better record than the Detroit Lions.  Oh wait.  No they don’t.  They have a defense that is struggling when it doesn’t get to the quarterback.  They have a head coach who lacks guts and instincts.  And they have a quarterback who seems hellbent to die on a football field at some point during the 2010 season.  (I think he’s going to get his wish.)

The Bears are in this thing but the Packers are in the pole position.  Beating them early in the season is looking quite significant right now.  Having watched the Bills plays the Chiefs today, the Bears have no excuse not to be 5-3 in seven days.  Having watched the Packers, they have no choice.