Week 9 in the NFC North brought us a mix of football weather and some crazy weather, including hail in the desert. The Lions further staked their claim atop the division while the Bears continued their free fall. Let’s take a look at the three games on Sunday involving the division occupants.

This is about the NFC North — the current ruler of the NFL because all four teams are at least two games above .500.

The Bills moved from fourth into second in the conference with their win. For the NFC, the big game was the Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions in the late afternoon window. The Lions’ win solidified them at the top of the conference and they have a half-game lead over the upstart Washington Commanders.

The Minnesota Vikings have won four straight games after a 1-4 start to put themselves in position for the No. 7 and final NFC playoff spot.

On Dec. 29, 1957, the Detroit Lions were undisputedly the best team in the NFL. They won their last championship that day. That was also the end of Jim Brown's rookie season, nine years before the first Super Bowl and a little less than 12 years before man first walked on the moon.