Diving into the Division: The NFC North Opponents
Who will be crowned King in the NFC North?
Information sourced from: NFL.com (2) (3) (4), Vikings.com,
The NFC North as of late has been one of the most competitive divisions in football, with all four teams vying for playoff berths each year. This makes things more complicated for the Lions, who have to play each of these teams twice during the year, and makes winning the North far from a foregone conclusion. So, how has each team in the North fared this offseason, and what does it mean for the Lions? Let’s take a peek.
Green Pay Packers
Departures: Desmond Ridder, Clayton Tune, Malik Willis, Emanuel Wilson, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, John FitzPatrick, Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Colby Wooden, Kingsley Enagbare, Rashan Gary, Quay Walker, Trevon Diggs, Nate Hobbs, Brandon McManus
Additions (free-agents, non draft): Tyron Taylor, Skyy Moore, Sean Rhyan, Javon Hargrave, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie (extension), Benjamin St-Juste.
Draft Picks: Brandon Cisse, Chris McClellan, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Jager Burton, Domani Jackson, Trey Smack
The Packers are at an interesting inflection point in their franchise trajectory. I would argue they have put a lot of trust in Jordan Love both in his physical health and ability to play the QB position. On the health side, he has had to rely on Willis multiple times prior, and Taylor (while decent to good) is a downgrade from Willis. Add in the fact that beyond Love, there has been a complete turnover of the QB room, so the players Love is talking to and breaking down film with will be starkly different.
I like the addition of Skyy Moore, I’ve always been a fan of his. Javon Hargrave and Zaire Franklin make a ton of sense with the defensive coordinator change and the move to a 3-4 base defense. I think the loss of Doubs will be bigger, though, than some people are giving it credit for. Same with Rashan Gary. Oh and the Packers have quietly established the best tight end room in the north.
The final question is what is going on with Josh Jacobs and his legal troubles. As the Packers really have not established a plan B behind him. They are very thin at RB.
I’ve said this before, the Packers scare me more than any other team in the north. They have the best chance to be dominant. That said, with all the changes in coaching, administration, and players, a lot will have to fall into line for that dominance to surface.
Chicago Bears
Departures: Travis Homer, DJ Moore, Devin Duvernay, Olamide Zaccheaus, Durham Smythe, Ryan Bates, Drew Dalman, Dominique Robinson, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Andrew Billings, Tremaine Edmunds, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Chris Williams, Nick McCloud, Nashon Wright, Jasquen Brisker, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Jonathan Owens
Additions (free-agents, non draft): Case Keenum, Salvon Ahmed, Kyron Hudson, Scott Miller, Kalif Raymond, Braxton Jones (re-signed), Jordan McFadden (re-signed), Jedrick Wills, Garrett Bradbury, Kentavius Street, Daniel Hardy (re-signed), Neville Gallimore, James Lynch, Devin Bush, D’Marco Jackson (re-signed), Wayne Matthews II, Jon Rhattigan, Jack Sanborn, Jaylon Jones, Cam Lewis, Coby Bryant, Elijah Hicks, Anthony Johnson Jr
Draft Picks: Dillon Thieneman, Logan Jones, Sam Roush, Zavion Thomas, Malik Muhammad, Keyshaun Elliot, Jordan Van Den Berg
The Bears are coming off of a good season, with an asterisk. That asterisk is luck. A lot of things that happened were the result of a proverbial coin flip going the Bears way, and that is simply not sustainable. The Bears simply need to clean that up by becoming better at the basics, and I think they will, but I think they will still fall back down to earth and regress some.
From the roster side, they’ve done a pretty nice job at making up for the players they lost. I would argue they lost a bit more than they gained. For instance adding Kalif Raymond and losing DJ Moore. DJ Moore is the more talented player, but Raymond (as we all know) is no slouch and can provide a deep threat that will pair well with Moore (not to mention his return abilities).
The Bears are less scary to me. I think they depend too much on luck. Ben Johnson will put a quality product out there though, the Lions simply have to overcome it, and I think they will. Final note: I was going to stay a little bit away from draft picks as none are guaranteed, but I do think the Bears got a stud in Dillon Thieneman, and that he makes up for some safety departures.
Minnesota Vikings
Departures: Brett Rypien, John Wolford, Ty Chandler, C.J. Ham, Jalen Nailor, Justin Skule, Ryan Kelly, Jonathan Greenard, Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Fabian Moreau, Jeff Okudah,
Harrison Smith, Ryan Wright
Additions (free-agents, non draft): Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz (re-signed), Juan Jennings, Ryan Van Demark, Eric Wilson, James Pierre, Tavierre Thomas, Johnny Hekker, Andrew DePaola
Draft Picks: Caleb Banks, Jake Golday, Domonique Orange, Caleb Tiernan, Jakobe Thomas, Max Bredeson, Charles Demmings, Demond Claiborne, Gavin Gerhardt
I’m sorry, I don’t see it at all with the Vikings this year, to put it bluntly. While Kevin McConnell has a track record of making QBs come back from oblivion, he has his work cut out with him with an undisciplined Kyler Murray at the helm. Carson Wentz isn’t going to be able to help for more than a game or two if called upon, as he collects injuries like Pokémon cards. Aaron Jones is aging and starting to show it. Jonathan Greenard and Javon Hargrave leaving are huge losses (Brian Flores will do Brian Flores things, though). All in all, the Vikings got a lot worse. Period.
What Does This Mean for the Lions?
The Lions don’t have a cake walk to win the NFC north. I expect them to win at least 12 games and they’re going to need them all.
The Packers are going to fight hard each time the Lions play them. As long as Love is healthy and Josh Jacobs is around, it’s going to be a ground out, hard fought battle. With their TEs and Taylor they still may even be able to put on a hard fought battle. The Lions should not underestimate the Packers, and will need their A game to sweep them.
The Bears will also fight hard each time, but the games I expect to be different. Caleb Williams’ luck will run out and ego will run high. Stay vigilant, capitalize on Williams’ mistakes, and don’t turn the ball over, and the Bears games are winnable. I didn’t say easy, I just said winnable.
I expect the Vikings offense to be a mess and the defense to play hard. I could get bit by this take, perhaps a change of scenery is what Murray needs. That said, I don’t think it will come together, and the Lions will sweep the Vikings, as they plummet to 4th in the NFC North.