Fall is in the air, Starbucks has started selling their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Which means the NFL is back. It’s time to take a look across the league and give expert opinions and predictions, none of which will be wrong.
Check out the NFC East preview and predictions here.
Check out the NFC South preview and predictions here.
In what is arguably the most compelling division in the NFL this upcoming season, the NFC North is something of a question mark. Yes, the Lions are considered the favorite by many after its playoff run last season; but year two of Jordan Love, and number one overall pick Caleb Williams with a strong offense in Chicago, can potentially make this divisional race extremely competitive.
NFC North
Detroit Lions
Last season: 12-5
Prediction: 13-4
The Lions have very little turnover in its organization, from the roster to the coaching staff. Ben Johnson returning to give it another go, despite the intense interest from other teams to hire him as a head coach, is a testament to the loyalty and culture that Dan Campbell has instilled in the organization. Total buy-in across the board.
Defensively, Detroit brings in Carlton Davis III, and they also brought back Emmanuel Moseley on a one-year deal, who I’m sure many people have not heard from in awhile. Moseley tore his ACL in back-to-back years with San Francisco and Detroit, but he’s been a full participant since day one this preseason.
With the additions on defense, and everyone returning on the offensive side of the ball, I expect the Lions to have another very impressive year.
Green Bay Packers
Last season: 9-8
Prediction: 11-6
I really love the Packers this year. Jordan Love stands to make a big impact from the get-go in year two, and the addition of Josh Jacobs on offense and Xavier McKinney on defense are significant signings. Maybe it’s because of the age difference, but Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love feels a lot better of a fit than Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers.
I’m also eager to see who finally emerges as Jordan Love’s WR1. In the blowout win against the Cowboys in the playoffs, Romeo Doubs had a monster performance with six catches for 151 yards and a Touchdown. But Jordan Love himself said he sees Dontayvion Wicks having a monster year; and remember, that Christian Watson guy isn’t half bad either.
Chicago Bears
Last season: 7-10
Prediction: 9-8
Year one of Caleb Williams, and I still don’t fully trust Matt Eberflus as a head coach; that’s why I think this results in a 2023 Packers-esque season for the 2024 Chicago Bears. Even so, this is a talented roster, and I believe in the number one overall pick to have less ‘rookie woes’ than the average QB.
The Bears are a team that could easily succeed these expectations, but they’re in a tough division, with two teams ahead of them that I just see as better. Chicago has only finished over .500 once (1) since firing Lovie Smith in 2012 after he went 10-6. So nine wins (and overall competitive/competent football) will get the city excited. In one years time, they may just be be the favorites.
Minnesota Vikings
Last season: 7-10
Prediction: 5-12
I would feel better about the Vikings if J.J. McCarthy didn’t tear his meniscus. It isn’t a given he would have won the starting job over Sam Darnold but, at some point in the season, he would have been handed the reigns, considering he was the 10th overall pick in the draft.
Unfortunately, I think the Vikings have a real chance of starting the season 0-5 going into their Week 6 Bye. Their best shot at getting a win is Week 1 against the New York Giants, but even then it’ll be a struggle. The next four games after that are vs San Fransisco, vs Houston, at Green Bay and vs the Jets. Maybe Sam Darnold will finally blossom, but I wouldn’t count on it.
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