It ain't over 'til it's over...
There are plenty of teams around the NFL whose seasons look like they might be over before they've even gotten started, but for a couple of teams currently in last place in their respective divisions, it would be premature to write any eulogies.
Entering Week 8 action, there are two teams we need to focus on who could pose a serious threat to their current division leaders, and they both happen to play in the "North".
Packers and Ravens still pose a significant threat to division leaders entering Week 8
In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens are 4-3 and in last place entering this week of action.
While it's not possible for them to jump all the way up to 1st place this week, a win on the road against the Buffalo Bills would go a long way toward helping them eventually take over.
The current 1st-place team in the AFC North is the Cleveland Browns, who are one of the league's most surprising teams at 5-2 this season and a tough matchup on the road against the (also 5-2) Pittsburgh Steelers.
Either way, the Ravens are going to have to make up more ground against whichever team ends up winning that crucial AFC North matchup in Week 8, but with Lamar Jackson hopefully back in the fold, it's at least within the realm of possibility.
The Ravens are not the same level of threat in the AFC that we have seen in the past. They are breaking in a rookie head coach (Jesse Minter) and rookie play-caller (Declan Doyle). This team truly cannot afford to have Jackson missing much more time, or they will be in actual danger of staying in last place.
But Jackson has earned a "glass half-full" reputation, so whenever he's back in action, the Ravens have to be considered a viable threat for the AFC North.
Packers can start making a serious run in the NFC North in Week 8
Following an extremely disappointing loss against the Detroit Lions with more missed kicks and controversial penalties, the Green Bay Packers have a shot to go on a serious run for the top of the NFC North.
Here's a look at their next five games, including a Thursday night matchup against the Carolina Panthers:
Week 8: vs. Panthers
Week 9: @ Patriots
Week 10: vs. Vikings
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: @ Rams
Week 13: @ Saints
That's not going to be an easy stretch, by any means, but keep this in mind: The Packers are going to be getting Micah Parsons back in the very near future.
That defense for Green Bay still played a good game against Detroit, all things considered, and they have played much better as of late. Getting Parsons in the fold is going to take them to the next level, and imagine if they win at home against one of the worst defenses in the NFL (Carolina), then get Parsons back for that pre-bye stretch against New England and Minnesota.
The NFC North is going to keep beating each other up all year. Nobody has a truly "easy" path right now in that division where they are all separated by just 2 games in the win column (or less).
The Packers getting Parsons back thickens the plot considerably.
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