NFC North Projections
The preseason is finally upon us and before we know it the regular season will be kicking off as well. The NFC North could be one of the more competitive divisions in football this year with the arrival of Kirk Cousins, a healthy Aaron Rodgers, a much improved Bears squad, and the Lions building around new coach Matt Patricia. So who has the edge?
Obviously you have to look at the Vikings who won the division last season with a 13-3 record and assume everybody in the division is trying to reach that success level for the upcoming season. Can the Vikings play with some of the same magic they had last season? Here is where I rank the NFC North for the 2018 season.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay will get their superstar in Aaron Rodgers back on the field and healthy which is huge since they will be playing the NFL's toughest schedule this season (opponents 2017 win percentage was .539). They will be traveling to play the Patriots, Rams, and Seahawks and will get the Falcons at home. As fans we will get to see the highly anticipated Rodgers vs. Brady showdown. The Packers have to be looked at as the favorite to win the division assuming Rodgers is able to stay healthy. The packers will win the NFC North yet again and find themselves back in the postseason.
Week 1: Chicago W Week 2: Vikings W
Week 3: @ Washington W Week 4: Buffalo W
Week 5: @ Detroit L Week 6: San Francisco W
Week 7: Bye Week 8: @ L.A Rams L
Week 9: @ New England L Week 10: Miami W
Week 11: @ Seattle L Week 12: @ Minnesota L
Week 13: Arizona: W Week 14: Atlanta W
Week 15: @ Chicago W Week 16: @ NYJ W
Week 17: Detroit W
Packers projected record: 11-5
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings made the huge offseason splash when they signed former Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins to a 3-year, $84 million deal. This is a sure upgrade over last season when they had Case Keenum under center. I believe Case played the best season he will ever put together and won't be able to duplicate that again during his time with Denver. The Vikings will take a small step backwards even with the signing of Cousins. Minnesota had everything go their way last season from health to the 'Minnesota Miracle'. They will still be very good and that defense will be a legit threat to anyone in the league.
Week 1: San Francisco W Week 2: @ Green Bay L
Week 3: Buffalo W Week 4: @ L.A. Rams L
Week 5: @ Philadelphia L Week 6: Arizona W
Week 7: @ NYJ W Week 8: New Orleans L
Week 9: Detroit L Week 10: Bye
Week 11: @ Chicago W Week 12: Green Bay W
Week 13: @ New England L Week 14: @ Seattle W
Week 15: Miami W Week 16: @ Detroit W
Week 17: Chicago W
Minnesota Vikings projected record: 10-6
Detroit Lions
The Lions are looking to finally get over the hump and win a playoff game. They are running out of time with Matthew Stafford getting older each passing year. They have made a few big acquisitions to help boost a run game that has been non existent for the past 5 seasons. They signed free agent LeGarrette Blount and drafted running back Kerryon Johnson out of Auburn. They have guys like Slay, Davis, Quinn, and Ansah looking to lock down the defense and lean on Matthew Stafford to help push them over the edge offensively. Only time will tell if Matt Patricia can manage to succeed away from Bill Bellichik and lead this team to places they haven't been yet. The lions will take a small step forward this season, and put themselves in a decent position to make the postseason.
Week 1: NYJ W Week 2: @ San Fransisco W
Week 3: New England L Week 4: @ Dallas L
Week 5: Green Bay W Week 6: Bye
Week 7: @ Miami W Week 8: Seattle L
Week 9: @ Minnesota W Week 10: @ Chicago W
Week 11: Carolina: L Week: 12 Chicago W
Week 13: L.A. Rams L Week 14: @ Arizona W
Week 15: @ Buffalo W Week 16: Minnesota L
Week 17: @ Green Bay L
Detroit Lions projected record: 9-7
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a young team who has added a few pieces over the past few seasons and should are looking to be a little more competitive this season. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky enters his sophomore season hoping to build off a rookie season of trial and error and many learning experiences. The Bears are still a few years away from making some noise in the NFC North but they certainly will be competitive and push opponents all game long with no quit and lots of energy.
Week 1: @ Green Bay L Week 2: Seattle L
Week 3: @ Arizona W Week 4: Tampa Bay W
Week 5: Bye Week 6: @Miami W
Week 7: New England L Week 8: NYJ W
Week 9: @ Buffalo L Week 10: Detroit L
Week 11: Minnesota L Week 12: @ Detroit L
Week 13: @ NYG L Week 14: L.A. Rams L
Week 15: Green Bay L Week 16: @ San Francisco L
Week 17: @ Minnesota L
Chicago Bears projected record: 4-12
Will the packers reclaim the division that they have owned for recent seasons or will the Vikings or Lions sneak in the mix and look to compete for the title? That's why we play the games.
