It looks like no race for a division crown in the NFL will be tighter than the one in the NFC North.

The Detroit Lions knocked the Vikings down from the division's lead, handing Minnesota its first-season loss. Both teams are 5-1, though the Lions have the tiebreaker with the head-to-head victory.

However, the 5-2 Green Bay Packers are not far behind after their huge takedown of the Houston Texans. While Jordan Love flashed some brilliance — amid the occasional mental mistake — the Packers' defense is making the team look like an elite contender.

Per USA TODAY, here is a quick take on the Week Seven NFL card...

WINNERS

• Kansas City
We're not sure how they keep doing it, but it seems like any time a key Chiefs player suffers an injury, they can push their short-term replacement into becoming a steady contributor. Running back Isiah Pacheco is out? Enter Kareem Hunt, formerly with the team, and may help solve the offense’s red zone issues. The Chiefs entered Sunday ranked 29th in red zone efficiency (38.89%). In a 28-18 win against the San Francisco 49ers, Hunt recorded a pair of red zone rushing scores in the second quarter alone. Kansas City scored touchdowns on four of its five trips inside the 20.

• Detroit Lions
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the Vikings entered Sunday with one of the fiercest defenses in the NFL, one that had confounded passers like C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy. All Lions quarterback Jared Goff did was complete 22 of 25 throws for 280 yards and a pair of scores in a massive 31-29 win. With it, the Lions now lead the NFC North.

• Philadelphia Eagles
Philly’s defense entered Sunday coming off a season-best five-sack outing in a win over the Cleveland Browns. The Eagles terrorized Daniel Jones and the Giants to follow that up, sacking New York eight times in a rout. The Giants could never find any solid footing on offense and scored just three points. Because of the sack yardage, New York finished with only 43 net passing yards.

LOSERS

• NY Jets
Aaron Rodgers turns 41 in December and is under contract for another season. Yet his play and his chemistry with his teammates have been acutely erratic. Even Davante Adams, the experienced Rodgers ally, didn’t have a reception in the second half against Pittsburgh on three targets. The Jets have lost four straight and need to clean up mistakes rapidly.

• Cleveland Browns
It continues to get worse for the Browns. While carrying the weight of Deahun Watson’s absurd contract, now staring down a season-ending Achilles tear and lengthy rehab with no guarantee that Watson will be fully healthy for the start of next season. The Browns (1-6) still need to develop a plan for their future franchise quarterback because it has become clear that Watson is not that player. The Browns owe Watson $92 million in base salary in 2025 and 2026, and the potential dead cap hit for a release is almost comical for how oppressively high it would be. The Browns look like a team that will be picking in the top five – potentially even first overall – in the 2025 NFL draft. Are you listening Shedeur Sanders?

Click here to read more about the winners and losers on last week’s NFL card

There is no easy way to say it – the New York NFL teams wreak.

Former Giants’ RB Saquon Barkley rushed for more yards (176) than the Giants gained (119).

The Jets allowed 31 unanswered points to close out Sunday night’s meltdown against the Steelers.

As a result, the Big Apple’s rotten-to-the-core crew is 2-5 SU and ATS each and stinking up the joint.

Wayne G. from Manson, IA wants to know – Marc, I really enjoy reading the newsletter. Lots of great needed information.  Here is my question. Do you choose the picks? Or is a collection of your staff? Would like to hear your response. Thank you much.

Marc Says: It’s sort of like asking Betty Crocker who make the cakes. Yes, I do make the picks for the newsletter, but with added insight from our Playbook staff. Remember, you’re only as good as the company you keep. Thanks for the email and for your continued support.