NFC North Preview: How the Packers can take back the North |

As the football season approaches, I am reviewing my NFC North preview. Last season, the NFC North understandably became intriguing. The Lions were soaring, with all elements working together seamlessly, a level of continuity they had not seen before. The Vikings were bouncing back from a disappointing start until Kirk Cousins suffered an Achilles injury in week eight, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

The Bears experienced a notable year, with widespread anticipation of their move away from Justin Fields. General Manager, Ryan Poles, was still looking for tangible ways to improve the roster. This is all to prepare for their future number one draft pick, Caleb Williams, who the Bears hope will be the successful quarterback they have been seeking for years.

Meanwhile, the Packers were uncertain how a new offense would fare with Jordan Love at the helm. All of these new and exciting changes in the division made it interesting. This year promises to maintain that intrigue. In fact, the NFC North is shaping up to be one of the best divisions in football this year. In this article, I will examine the four teams in the NFC North, provide a preview of the upcoming season, and discuss the strategies the Packers could use to reclaim their position at the top of the NFC North.

The New NFC North Champions: The Detroit Lions

Key Departures: WR, Josh Reynolds, OG, Jonah Jackson, S, C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Key Additions: Edge, Marcus Davenport, DL, D.J. Reader, CB, Carlton Davis

Key Returners: QB, Jared Goff, WR, Amon-Ra St. Brown, OG, Graham Glasgow, OT, Penei Sewel

Key Draft Picks: CB, Terrion Arnold, CB, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., DT, Mekhi Wingo

The Detroit Lions are looking to build off their most successful season in years. The Lions were leading 24-7 against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game but ultimately fell 34-31. The prospect of a Super Bowl appearance seemed imminent, and Lions’ fans were anticipating a moment they had never witnessed before. The team exudes complete energy and enthusiasm, with Head Coach Dan Campbell leading the way, the team is willing to follow his direction.

Additionally, the team has a highly capable front office known for making wise decisions in recent years. Brad Holmes, the General Manager, won the Executive of the Year award. His sharp drafting and reasonable player extensions have earned him the trust of both the organization and the fan base.

For the Detroit team to retain their title as NFC North Champions, sustained consistency will be crucial. They have a solid roster, emphasized by a strong offensive line and an effective run game. Ben Johnson is recognized as one of the top offensive play callers in football and has been considered for head coaching roles over the past two seasons. Johnson remains on the Lions’ staff, convinced by Dan Campbell’s vision for the team.

Regarding the Lions’ players, Jared Goff must maintain his accuracy and composure in the pocket. Goff has delivered outstanding performances at Ford Field yet has statistically struggled outside of Detroit. The running back pairing of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery ranks among the elite duos in the league, if not the very best. The receiver room needs to take a step forward. Amon-Ra St. Brown is clearly their top receiver. They’ve lost a reliable and steady receiver in Josh Reynolds to the Broncos. However, tight end Sam LaPorta will be looking to continue a fantastic second season after a record-breaking rookie year.

The Lions’ defense ranked averagely in most categories. They performed strongly in rushing defense, ranking as the second-best overall in terms of rush yards allowed. Nevertheless, they significantly struggled with their passing defense, ranking 27th overall. It appears that Brad Holmes is addressing the issue by focusing on the cornerback position. The team bolstered its defense by drafting two top cornerbacks and acquiring Carlton Davis through a trade in free agency.

The Lions will either take a small step forward, or a small step backward. What seems more likely to me is that things will remain unchanged. Maintaining their current position is not a negative outcome; it keeps them among the top four teams in the NFC overall and in contention for the NFC North title. One thing is for sure, Dan Campbell knows how hard it is to get back to an NFC Championship. That is the reality of football, and how well Campbell leads them through this moment will determine if they can continue to stack success.

On the Outside Looking In: The Minnesota Vikings

Key Departures: QB, Kirk Cousins, Edge, Danielle Hunter

Key Additions: QB, Sam Darnold, RB, Aaron Jones, CB, Shaquill Griffin, Edge, Jonathan Greenard

Key Returners: WR, Justin Jefferson

Key Draft Picks: QB, J.J. McCarthy, OLB, Dallas Turner

The Minnesota Vikings had a rough start to their 2023 season, initially falling to an 0-3 record. Nevertheless, they were making a turnaround, reaching a 4-4 record, until Kirk Cousins suffered an Achilles tear in week eight. This resulted in dysfunction at the quarterback position. First, they went after journeyman quarterback, Josh Dobbs. Dobbs was leading the team on a magical run, winning the next two games.

Dobbs’ tenure as a starter was not permanent; by the end of the season, Nick Mullens had taken over the starting position. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell was beginning to shape the team into a potentially successful unit. The loss of Cousins dealt a significant blow to the team’s structure and dashed the hopes for a playoff run and the NFC North title, which they most recently held in 2022.

The team’s offense struggled to establish a rhythm following Cousins’ injury. One advantage they had was possessing the league’s top receiver, Justin Jefferson. During the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Jefferson ended up suffering a hamstring injury. Due to cautionary measures, Jefferson was sidelined for nearly two months as he was heading towards a significant contract extension. The team remained in an odd state of limbo throughout the year, never performing poorly enough to be out of playoff contention, yet not excelling enough to be serious contenders for a playoff position.

Cousins chose to explore free agency and ultimately decided against remaining with the Vikings. Cousins is set to begin a new chapter with the Atlanta Falcons, marking the first time in six seasons that the Vikings will be without a starting quarterback. A model of consistency, Cousins has continued to secure fully guaranteed contracts despite having just a single playoff victory. The Vikings’ decision to move on from Cousins is the right choice.

The Vikings believe they have secured their future franchise quarterback by selecting Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy with the tenth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.To bridge the transition from Cousins to McCarthy, the Vikings brought in Sam Darnold. He is a former first-round draft pick whose career previously unfolded with the Jets. This could be the chance Darnold needs to revive a career that’s been buried, similar to the path that led Baker Mayfield to his current role in Tampa.

McCarthy has unfortunately undergone meniscus surgery and will be out for the entire season. However, McCarthy might benefit from sitting a year, learning and focusing on becoming the Vikings long term answer at quarterback. This season is looking to be similar to last season for the Vikings. The success of the Vikings’ season will largely depend on how well Sam Darnold adjusts to his role as the full-time starting quarterback.

A Generational Draft Pick: The Chicago Bears

Key Departures: QB, Justin Fields, WR, Darnell Mooney

Key Additions: RB, D’Andre Swift, WR, Keenan Allen, S, Kevin Byard

Key Returners: CB, Jaylon Johnson, WR, DJ Moore

Key Draft Picks: QB, Caleb Williams, WR, Rome Odunze

April 25, 2024 would mark the beginning of an era in Chicago. With the first overall pick, the Chicago Bears selected quarterback Caleb Williams from USC. The franchise has long been in search of a clear direction at the quarterback position, consistently missing the mark with their previous selections. In Chicago, with Caleb Williams leading the way, there is no room for excuses or signs of struggle from the Bears.

Bears fans’ patience has been wearing thin for years. Over the last ten seasons, the Bears have seen a turnover of two general managers, three head coaches, and six starting quarterbacks. Since 2017, they have selected three quarterbacks in the first round: Mitchell Trubisky, Justin Fields, and most recently, Caleb Williams.

Last season, the Bears concluded with a 7-10 record, marking a significant improvement from their 3-14 finish in the 2022 season. The season was intriguing, with everyone aware that the Panthers had traded their first-round pick to the Bears. Consequently, the Panthers finished with the league’s worst record, effectively handing the number one draft pick to the Chicago Bears.

Should Caleb Williams live up to his billing as a generational draft pick, the Bears will be competing for the NFC North title. The Bears have acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen, signed wide receiver DJ Moore to a significant extension, and drafted wide receiver Rome Odunze. With these pieces in place, Caleb has the support he needs to succeed. This Bears team has the potential to contend for a playoff spot by the season’s end.

Take Back the North: The Green Bay Packers

Key Departures: RB, Aaron Jones, OT, David Bakhtiari, LB, De’Vondre Campbell, S, Darnell Savage

Key Additions: S, Xavier McKinney, RB, Josh Jacobs

Key Returners: CB, Keisean Nixon, DT, Kenny Clark

Key Draft Picks: OG, Jordan Morgan, LB, Edgerrin Cooper, S, Javon Bullard

The atmosphere at Lambeau Field on the night of January 8th, 2023, was eerie. The Detroit Lions were ousted from playoff contention earlier in the day following the Seahawks’ victory. The Lions appeared to have no other incentive than to defeat Green Bay on their own turf and prevent them from securing a playoff position. If the Lions were not in the postseason, they would certainly fight to keep their division rival out as well.

In the end, the Packers fell to the Lions with a score of 20-16, missing out on the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers gazes around Lambeau Field for what was inevitably the last time, walking into the tunnel with his arm around his longtime teammate and friend, Randall Cobb. Packers’ fans were in disbelief as the Aaron Rodgers era came to an unexpected and unwelcome close.

In March, Rodgers’ trade to the New York Jets marked the beginning of the Jordan Love era in Green Bay. A new season awaits the franchise, bringing fresh opportunities and goals.The season began uncertainly with the Packers fielding the league’s youngest roster. During the initial weeks, numerous receivers ran incorrect routes, Jordan Love frequently missed his targets, and the offense lacked a clear identity.

Nevertheless, the season’s pivotal moment occurred during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the Packers ultimately lost the game, they demonstrated potential for significant improvement. On Thanksgiving Day, the Packers delivered a strong performance against Detroit on their home turf. As people took notice, Love not only filled the role of a starting NFL Quarterback but also emerged as arguably the league’s top quarterback during the second half of the season.

Observing the Packers’ team during the latter half of the season was akin to seeing a painter masterfully compose a canvas that showcased their strengths. Everything was working on all cylinders as the Packers geared to make a push for the playoffs. In a primetime showdown at Lambeau Field, they defeated the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. They concluded the season with victories over the Vikings and Bears, securing their spot in the postseason.

Witnessing the Packers take on the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs was truly a magical experience. The team delivered their most complete performance of the season at the most opportune moment. Securing a playoff spot and achieving a victory surpassed the expectations of many for the Packers in 2023. They would later succumb to the 49ers in the divisional round, a foe the Packers have not been able to get past in recent years.

For the Packers to clinch the NFC North, they must continue to pick up where they left off. They need to shake off the shortcomings from the game against the 49ers and use them as a catalyst for improvement. Jordan Love must maintain his elite performance and continue to uplift his team. The defense, under Jeff Hafley’s leadership, needs to show significant improvement. The defense can be successful by forcing turnovers and preventing significant red zone drives. For the Packers to clinch the NFC North and become Super Bowl contenders, it will require the focus of the entire team.

In Conclusion: My Final Predictions for the NFC North

This season is poised to be the best our division has seen in many years. Undoubtedly, it will be exciting to watch. Ultimately, every team has the potential for a remarkably good season or a disappointing one. I predict the Packers will win the division, followed closely by the Lions and Bears, with the Vikings coming in last. I’m convinced that the race will be tight and that three of the teams have a shot at making the playoffs.

Final Standing Predictions