In the latest episode of the Who Will Be King podcast, our hosts Pay, June, Foster, and Dave had an in-depth discussion about the NFC North’s latest happenings. From unexpected results to playoff prospects, the conversation was heated, insightful, and full of banter. The episode gave listeners an exciting and detailed look into the state of the NFC North, with expert analysis and predictions for the future.

The Unexpected Rise of the Bears
Pay kicked off the show with an exciting revelation – the Chicago Bears are officially in the playoff conversation. Despite a season marked by ups and downs and a 5-8 record, the Bears have managed to claw their way back into playoff relevance. The determination and grit of the team seem to be paying off, with Pay noting, “At 5-8, we are one game behind those same Green Bay Packers for the last playoff spot in NFC.” Pay’s cautious optimism was palpable, but Dave reminded him that there are still a few 6-7 teams ahead of the Bears. The road to the playoffs is still steep for the Bears, but their recent performance gives fans a glimmer of hope.

The Detroit Lions: Disappointment and Uncertainty
June and Foster, the Detroit representatives from Bleachers to Speakers, did not share Pay’s optimism. Their discussion was marked by disappointment and frustration with the Lions’ recent performance. Foster focused on quarterback Jared Goff’s performance, expressing concerns over his future and his ability to take care of the ball. June’s sentiment was even more straightforward: “Step it up or step down. He’s not getting it done over the last seven weeks.” For the Lions, the future seems uncertain, and change may be on the horizon.

Vikings’ Dreadful Game and Future Prospects
Dave, our Vikings correspondent, provided a detailed account of the “dreadful” game against the Raiders. The low-scoring game, marked by a series of punts, was a stark contrast to the high-octane performances NFL fans are used to. Despite the dismal game and the win, Dave remained hopeful for the future. He looked to backup quarterback Nick Mullens to provide the spark the Vikings need against the Cincinnati Bengals. Describing Mullens as ‘Kirk Cousins light’, Dave expressed hope that his experience and understanding of the system could lead the Vikings to victory.

Packers: The Professional Quarterback Dilemma
The conversation then shifted to the Green Bay Packers. Pay had a frank discussion about Jordan Love’s performance, positioning him between 26 and 58 in the world’s quarterback rankings. Despite being one of the elite quarterbacks in the world, Pay argued that Love’s performance leaves much to be desired.

Speaking of middling quarterbacks that have yet to prove their worth, he insisted that the Bears’ front office should not make any early decisions on Justin Fields and continue to evaluate his performance throughout the season. The dilemma of professional quarterbacks is a common theme in the NFL, and the Packers and Bears are no exception.

Looking Ahead to Week 15
Looking forward to Week 15, the hosts previewed the upcoming games. Dave believed that the Vikings have a decent chance to win against the Bengals, despite the absence of Kirk Cousins, if their offensive production improves. He noted, “It should be a decent fun game to kick off the Saturday lineup.” Foster and June, however, remained silent about the Lions’ upcoming game against the Denver Broncos in the Saturday Night Football game. Their silence spoke volumes about the uncertainty facing the Lions.

In conclusion, the NFC North remains wide open, and the division championship and wild card birth(s) are still up for grabs. All teams have everything to play for, and it’s the time of year when pretenders are separated from contenders. As the hosts agreed, the final few weeks of the season will be crucial in determining the fate of each team. Make sure to tune in next week for more NFC North updates on Who Will Be King.

FAN WITH US!!!

Pay @TheRealPayday, host of Da Bear Claw Podcast, June @asgjune & M Foster @Mbrfosterchild, hosts of the Bleachers To Speakers [Lions] podcast, and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare, from @Vikings1stSKOL. This has been a joint podcast production partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and Fans First Sports Network’s NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.