As in prior years, I'm alternating conferences while circling my way around the league. This year began with the North, and yesterday saw the AFC get priority. This means today I'm back in my home park, so to speak, looking at the local division of the NFC North.
NFC North
Common opponents on schedule: NFC West, AFC East
2017: 7-9 (3rd), missed playoffs
The Packers made a bunch of changes in the offseason, finally jettisoning defensive coordinator Dom Capers and reassigning Ted Thompson upstairs to bring in a new general manager. Mike Pettine brings a similar style of defense along with new blood. Tramon Williams returns to play corner where he was a force for years, and there's a lot of youth at corner now as well to hopefully help out a decent front seven. Offensively, Jordy Nelson is gone, leaving Davante Adams as the #1 receiver that he proved himself to be as last year wore on, while Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis provide some big targets at the tight end spot. We'll see what happens at running back with a lot of options, but the biggest thing is the return of Aaron Rodgers from his broken collarbone. His presence alone lifts the Packers back into division contention.
2018 Prediction: 11-5
2017: 13-3 (1st), lost NFC Championship Game
The Vikings flipped their usual script for a week with a dramatic walkoff touchdown in the postseason, followed by an absolute egg in the NFC title game. They return pretty much their entire defensive group that has been one of the best in the league for a couple years now, especially that secondary. They've got a lot of weapons on offense, especially with the return of second year back Dalvin Cook to help balance a passing attack led by Stefon Diggs, Adam Theilen, and Kyle Rudolph. But they got outstanding play from Case Keenum last year, and he's gone after the Vikings offered a boatload of money to Kirk Cousins, and I'm not convinced he's an upgrade. The Vikings will still be a playoff team, but I think Cousins is overrated and the Vikings will probably find another way to break their fans' hearts this winter.
2018 Prediction: 11-5, Wild Card
2017: 5-11 (4th), missed playoffs
The Bears have accelerated their rebuild with franchise quarterback Mitch Trubisky beginning his second year. He's got weapons this time with the addition of Allen Robinson to be the top wideout, and Trey Burton to be your top tight end. Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen remain a good back tandem, and under head coach Matt Nagy, this offense should be much improved. Their defense isn't bad either, especially with Vic Fangio still onboard as defensive coordinator. But whether Kyle Fuller can maintain his 2017 level of play is a question, and also whether the youth can continue to develop. I think the Bears can threaten for a winning season, but might still be a year away yet.
2018 Prediction: 7-9
2017: 9-7 (2nd), missed playoffs
I originally had Detroit third, but got talked into flipping them and the Bears. The Bill Belichick tree branches out as Matt Patricia takes the helm in the Motor City with a solid offense. Matt Stafford is a good quarterback, but I'm not thrilled with his weapons; Golden Tate is pretty good, but I'm not sure just how good Marvin Jones is on the other side. LeGarrette Blount might help stabilize the running back position that hasn't been good in Detroit for years. Ezekiel Ansah leads a decent defensive group that will probably be pretty good under Patricia, but I'm just not really sold on that offense. While I'm going to miss taking potshots at Jim Caldwell, I can probably continue to take shots at the Lions franchise as a whole.
2018 Prediction: 6-10
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