The offseason is about to come to an end and with the preseason about to start, it’s right around that time of the year when legitimate predictions and projections are made for players and teams. Today, we’ll be going over the NFC North as I review each team and give my prediction for their record and what will either be pushing them or holding them back. So with that being said, let’s get right into the NFC North Team Predictions.
Chicago Bears – The Bears are not expected to be that good this year. The Bears have good players like RB Matt Forte, WR Alshon Jeffrey, and TE Martellus Bennett, not to mention 1st round draft pick WR Kevin White and highly controversial starting QB Jay Cutler. However, the Bears just don’t seem to have the right chemistry. They are in a tough division with a Packer team that will be good every year as long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, and two other teams that seem to be on the rise with the Lions and Vikings. This could be a shockingly surprising good year or a bottom out year. I’m leaning towards the latter.
Record Last Year 5-11
Vegas Wins Over/Under 7
My Prediction 4-12
Detroit Lions – It seems like every year for the past two years, the Lions have been the wise guy pick. They have loads of talent, an offense that looked almost unstoppable two years ago, and a top 10, maybe even top 5, defense last year. I think they defense will take a slight step back, but with a healthy WR Calvin Johnson and the coaching staff taking the leash off starting QB Matthew Stafford, I think the Lions are a legitimate team that will make the playoffs this year. WR Golden Tate was huge last year and it’s time for TE Eric Ebron to step up. RB Ameer Abdullah should make people forget Reggie Bush.
Record Last Year 11-5
Vegas Wins Over/Under 8.5
My Prediction 11-5
Green Bay Packers – The Pack have been the class of the division for a while now. They have faced their challengers and have had some tough playoff losses, but when it comes to the NFC North, the Packers are usually the pick. League MVP Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the world and when you add RB Eddie Lacy and WR Jordy Nelson, you have a great trio offensively. The biggest issue every year with Green Bay has been their defense. Yes, they have sack master LB Clay Matthews, but he needs some help and hopefully for them LB Julius Peppers can step up for another year and improve his 7 sacks from last year.
Record Last Year 12-4
Vegas Wins Over/Under 11
My Prediction 12-4
Minnesota Vikings – With star RB Adrian Peterson happy and back in the mix, the Vikings will be a threat this year. When you look back at a couple years ago, the Vikings made the playoffs with a team that is not as good as this team. Their QB Teddy Bridgewater has all the looks of a true franchise signal caller. Their defense will be the key to their success as they are led by team sack leader DE Everson Griffen, team INT leader S Harrison Smith, and rising young beast in LB Anthony Barr. The biggest questions will be if the team can produce wins in a tough division despite being better overall than they were last year.
Record Last Year 7-9
Vegas Wins Over/Under 7.5
My Prediction 6-10
The NFC North will be a very competitive division and realistically, I wouldn’t be too ridiculously shocked with anyone winning it, but of course I have to give it to the Packers for the time being. In a division nicknamed the Black and Blue division, it couldn’t be anything else, but a dogfight every week. The winner of this division will be a tough out in the NFC playoffs and no matter what happens, every game should be fun to watch.
