The NFL hits a lull around this time of year. They have a pretty good hold on the entertainment industry for 90% of the year. Chronologically they have training camp, pre-season, the regular season, playoffs, pro bowl, super bowl, free agency, combine, and then NFL draft. This will bring you from late July into late April without having much down time waiting for some sort of action. With that, I'm doing a pre-view for every division as things stand now.
Let me start with the fact that the NFC is one of the toughest, most competitive divisions in football. Between the Vikings, Bears and Packers, they all rank top ten in all-time franchise win percentages. The Lions have been more of a punching bag for the rest of the teams in the North, but have had a few competitive years sprinkled in the last 20 years. Nonetheless, over the last 15 years, the division winner cycles between the Vikings, Bears, and Packers for the most part.
4th Place - Green Bay Packers (8-8) (1-5 Division)
Although the Packers have been a winning organization for a majority of their existence, however they've been slipping in the most frequent years. One of their largest struggles comes with their most valuable asset, Aaron Rodgers. It's no secret Rodgers has an arrogant attitude that ultimately helped lead to the departure of their long time coach, Mike McCarthy.
Packers come into 2019 with a new head Coach, Matt Lafleur, which normally means a step back as the team adjusts to the new system. They also lost some long time players in Randall Cobb (Cowboys) and Clay Matthews (Rams) to FA this year. They did help beef up their defense by signing safety Adrian Amos, and linebackers Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith this offseason.
Their defense may have added some players this offseason, but their offense still lacks weapons. Funny to say when Aaron Rodgers is at the helm, but you still need more than one reliable weapon to have a good year. Outside of Davonte Adams, there really isn't much. I'm not a fan of the Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams tandem, Jimmy Graham is washed up, and their remaining receiving core is nothing to write home about. Mix that with some tough opponents on the docket this year, I have them finishing last in the division, going 8-8.
3rd Place - Detroit Lions (8-8)(3-3 Division)
I've always had a soft spot for the Lions. Maybe that's because since I've been watching them play, they've essentially been two wins for my Vikings every year, which has led to somewhat humble fans. They have a good core group of guys and under second year head coach Matt Patricia, I think they're headed in the right direction. He's trying to build the Patriots of the midwest...
With that said, I do like their players. They have a fairly decent offensive line to help protect their cannon armed QB Matthew Stafford. They added two veteran WR to the roster this offseason with Jermaine Kearse (NYJ) and Danny Amendola (MIA) to help the soon to be all star Kenny Golladay. They also added some depth at RB with CJ Anderson (LAR) to help Kerryon Johnson, and drafted stud TE TJ Hockenson.
Their defense added CB Justin Coleman (SEA) and DE Trey Flowers (NE) to help solidify an average defense. Patricia ran the defense for NE that had a few good years, so I think they'll make improvements but not enough to make an impact this year. I have them finishing 8-8, but edging out Green Bay with their division record of 3-3.
2nd Place - Chicago Bears (9-7)(4-2 Division)
The Bears took the league by storm last year and was one of the most fun teams to watch play. They added arguably one of the best edge rushing LB to play the game in Khalil Mack, along with a star studded defense that helped propel them last year. Their offense, led by Mitchell Trubisky, was magical last year, with a lot of electric and trick plays that helped them win the division.
I was not very impressed with their FA. They lost S Amos (GB) and Bryce Callahan (DEN), replacing them with lesser version in Ha-Ha Clinton Dix and Buster Skrine. They did lost injury plagued Kevin White to FA but replaced him with kick return and screen pass specialist, Cordarrelle Patterson. They also didn't add much in the draft, with giving up a lot of picks to acquire Mack.
Outside of their less than impressive FA and minimal draft additions, I see the Bears taking a step back this year. If you remember, the Bears finished last in the division in 2017, meaning that last years teams, on average, were not very good. Mix in a small step back with playing better teams this year, don't be surprised to watch the Bears struggle more this year. That's why I have them finishing 2nd in the North at 9-7.
1st Place - Minnesota Vikings (10-6)(4-2 Division)
You can call me biased, you can call me delusional, you can say I'm a homer, but believe me when I say I know my Vikings. The Vikings had a great campaign in 2017, ending with an embarrassing performance in the NFC championship game against that years Super Bowl winner, Philadelphia Eagles. After that, they lost OC Pat Shurmur to coach the Giants and added who we thought was an offensive master mind in John DeFillipo. Mixing the bad relationship between Flip and Zimmer with the fact that our offensive line couldn't stop a nose bleed, it was a recipe for disaster.
This offseason the Vikings didn't make many moves to bring in new players, but more to keep the players that were already on the roster. They got back Anthony Barr after he decided to play for the Jets and made some contract restructures to be able to have the salary cap space to sign their new draft picks. Outside of resigning Barr, their most exciting acquisition was drafting first round pick Garret Bradbury, Center from the Ohio State. Bradbury was rated the best center in the draft and was brought in to pair with newly signed G Josh Kline (TEN), Pat Elflein, Riley Reiff, and Brian O'Neil. It's not the prettiest, but the Vikings also lost OL coach Tony Sporano to an unexpected passing right before the season started which shook the team more than it lead on. With Kirk Cousins in his second year behind this 'improved' offensive line, I see the offense getting the magic back that they had at the beginning of last year.
The Vikings have a fairly reasonable schedule with a few tough opponents in the Eagles, Panthers, Chargers, Bears, Seattle and the Chiefs. I don't expect them to take home all of these games, but with the Zimmer lead defense and the Stefanski-Kubiak offense, I think they only need to split these games in order to go 10-6 and win the division.
If you noticed the teams records, it's a tight race and it can sway any direction during the year. The NFC North is a smash-mouth division and is always one that comes down to the wire. I see that happening again this year, but this time, the Vikings prevail.
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-Brandon
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