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For the next eight weeks we’ll be talking about everything divisional. I’m going to give my general pros and cons for each team in a division and at the end predict where they will finish in the division. This week is the NFC North, a very exciting (if not the most exciting) division in the NFL. Between new rookie cornerstones and hard-nosed coaches, this division might be the hardest to predict.

Detroit Lions

Record Prediction: 13-4

The Detroit Lions felt like America's team last season… sorry Dallas. Everyone was rooting for the Lions on their Cinderella run to the NFC Championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Although it felt like a magical run, I believe the Lions are here to stay. The Lions are in win-now mode, and it showed with what they did this off-season. The Lions must’ve felt confident in their group because they barely let any players go. 

Some of the notable names that will not be on the team next season are Josh Reynolds (WR), Brock Wright (TE), Matt Nelson (OT), C.J. Gardner-Johnson (S), Tracy Walker (S), and Cam Sutton (CB). In my opinion, the worst loss here is Wright, who provided a solid tight-end number two option. However, when you have Sam LaPorta, this won’t bother anyone. 

The best thing the Lions could’ve done is clear out that secondary because it was a disaster last season. The Lions also made huge additions such as Carlton Davis (CB) from Tampa Bay and DJ Reader (DL) from the Bengals. Both of these guys add some Super Bowl experience to a fairly young team.

The most crucial thing the Lions did this season is lock in their guys that they think give them the best chance at winning. This would include quarterback Jared Goff (four-year extension for $212 million), wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (signed a four-year contract worth $120 million), and offensive tackle Penei Sewell (signed a four-year deal worth $112 million). 

On top of this, the Lions have drafted so well that all their young guys who have been balling are still on rookie deals. This list would include defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (signed through 2026), running back Jahmyr Gibbs (signed through 2027), and, of course, tight end Sam LaPorta (signed through 2026).

There’s no other way to put it, the Lions are stacked and ready to win now. This is the Lions' division to lose (never thought I’d be saying that) and they need to capitalize. The Lions will finish first in the division with a 13-4 record (5-1 division record) and look for a Super Bowl run in 2024.

Green Bay Packers

Record Prediction: 12-5

Man, do I love Jordan Love (no pun intended). This is why I think the Packers will be a good team in 2024. After starting out a bit shaky (weeks 3-9) in his first year as a starter, Love was playing at a super high level to end the season. After week nine, Love threw for over 2,000 yards, along with 18 passing touchdowns and only one interception. 

One interception through eight weeks is ridiculous. Along with those amazing stats, the Packers went 6-3, with notable wins at Detroit and against the Kansas City Chiefs. Then, the icing on the cake was going into Dallas and dropping 48 points on one of the best defenses in the NFL.

The Packers really didn’t lose anyone too important during the off-season either. The biggest name was running back Aaron Jones, who, in my opinion, has his best football seasons behind him. Plus, the addition of running back Josh Jacobs will fill that role very nicely.

Jacobs is a younger and, frankly, better back than Jones. Just two seasons ago, Jacobs rushed for over 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Packers do have a decently tough schedule, but I expect them to finish second in the division with a 12-5 record (5-1 division record).

Chicago Bears

Record Prediction: 6-11

The Chicago Bears are a really hard team to predict going into this season. I’m usually not a guy who thinks an entire season could possibly ride on one player. However, the Bears’ hopes of playoff contention certainly depend on whether or not Caleb Williams can come and play at a high level. I’ll make it simple: imagine a world where C.J. Stroud doesn’t have the season he did.

In my opinion, the Houston Texans would not have made the playoffs. More often than not, you are what your quarterback is in this league. The Bears have a great wideout core and are accompanied by a solid defense. If Williams plays up to expectations, I could definitely see the Bears being competitive.

However, I’m going to side with what usually happens with most rookie quarterbacks. Williams will be fine, nothing more and nothing less. I’m high on Williams (more than most people), but I think Williams will have struggles just like everyone else. It’s so rare that you get a Stroud or Andrew Luck-type rookie campaign. I think it will take time for Williams to adjust, and because of that, I have the Bears finishing third in the division. The Bears will end the season with a 6-11 record (1-5 in division).

Minnesota Vikings

Record Prediction: 5-12

In my opinion, the Minnesota Vikings are going to have quite a crazy season. The Vikings had an amazing draft, getting their hopeful franchise quarterback in J.J. McCarthy and drafting linebacker Dallas Turner both in the first round. In a few seasons, the Vikings are going to be very good with all the young talent they have. On top of that young talent, they could have the best wide receiver tandem in the next 2-3 years, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Vikings just need to let that come together first; it doesn’t happen instantly.

I don’t think McCarthy is a guy that can go out there right away and kill it. McCarthy will very much be a quarterback that needs to adjust first. While I think he will adjust and be just fine, it takes time for a player like this. From recent reports and articles, it seems most likely that quarterback Sam Darnold will begin the season as the starter for the Vikings. From previous situations I have seen, the most likely game plan is to assess the team after the bye week with Darnold as the starter.

Unfortunately for Darnold and the Vikings, the only game I think they win is week one vs. the New York Giants. Then the Vikings have a bye week for week six, and in my opinion, they will be 1-4. However, the following two weeks after the bye, the Vikings play the Lions at home and the Rams on the road. I don’t see McCarthy making his first start in those games, either.

In week nine, the Vikings play the Indianapolis Colts at home, and I think we’ll see McCarthy start then. The Vikings are in a transition season, and combined with how hard the front half of their schedule is, it’ll be a disappointing start for Viking fans. I have the Vikings going 5-12 this season (1-5 in division) and finishing last in the division.