2017 NFC North Preview

We're only a week and a half away from the start of another NFL season, and I'm starting to get excited again. As such, I need to get the previewing into high gear.

I'm continuing my annual tradition, working my way around the country, only this year I'm going counterclockwise, and alternating conferences until we end with the division of the defending champion.

I also take this opportunity to invite you, dear readers, to join me in picking NFL games against the spread. We're in Year Six of this contest now, with Adam Quinn joining me for a fourth season of a weekly post with our picks. You can join our ESPN group here.

I'm beginning at home again this season with the NFC North.


NFC North

Common Opponents on Schedule: NFC South, AFC North

1. Green Bay Packers
2016: 10-6 (1st), lost in NFC Championship Game

Last year was fun; after underachieving for two and a half months, Aaron Rodgers made his "run the table" proclamation, and the Packers ran it all the way to the NFC title game, at which point the team turned back into a pumpkin and the defense turned into Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru in A New Hope. Ted Thompson spent much of the draft focusing on fixing that, and we'll see how Kevin King acclimates himself alongside Damarious Randall and returnee Davon House. TJ Lang is gone from the offensive line as well, and Ty Motgomery has become the likely #1 back. Holes considered, as long as Rodgers stays healthy, this team is elite.
2017 Prediction: 12-4

2. Detroit Lions
2016: 9-7 (2nd), lost in NFC Wild Card Round

Detroit was all set in the driver's seat for the NFC North crown last year... then dropped their last three, including Week 17 at home against Green Bay. They acquitted themselves well though; I thought for sure without Megatron the Lions would fall apart, but Matt Stafford proved himself to be a good quarterback who didn't need a generational talent. I still question their running game (3rd worst in yards, 6th worst in yards per carry last year), but their defense isn't bad, and it will keep them competitive. But Jim Caldwell's vacant stare is still their head coach, and that tells you all you need to know.
2017 Prediction: 9-7

3. Minnesota Vikings
2016: 8-8 (3rd), missed playoffs

As if 2015 wasn't bad enough, the Vikings started 5-0 last year before utterly collapsing in the second half because Vikings. Sam Bradford remains under center, but instead of him handing off to Adrian Peterson a bunch, he'll be handing off more so to Dalvin Cook, who isn't bad. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen aren't either, and it makes for a decent offense to go along with a defense that finished 6th in points and yards per play allowed last year. They're going to be decent again, but I'm really just not sold on Sam Bradford.
2017 Prediction: 8-8

4. Chicago Bears
2016: 3-13 (4th), missed playoffs

I got way too excited about the Bears last year even knowing they were in the midst of a rebuild. I'm not making that mistake this year. Jordan Howard will be one of the better backs in the league, but the Bears are relying on a going-on-33-year-old tight end, an injury prone WR1, and a probably washed up now WR2 since Cameron Meredith is out for the year. They finally got rid of Jay Cutler, but didn't really improve the position, signing Mike Glennon, who will hold down the fort until Mitchell Trubisky is ready, and the defense has some decent pieces who are hurt while the rest are meh. The Bears gave up a lot for Trubisky, which if he pans out may work well, but it hurts the rebuild overall because of the picks given up. That will probably be reflected this season.
2017 Prediction: 4-12