With the NFL schedules fully released and all game dates and bye weeks decided, it is time to take a look at the teams and see how they will shape out. For this first part we will take a look at the NFC North, make record predictions, and explain our thoughts related to each team.
Lions (11-6)
After years of waiting, Detroit fans finally got what they were waiting for. Not only did they make the playoffs, not only did they win the division, but they beat the Rams in the first round, led by former Detroit QB Matthew Stafford. This year, I expect them to return strong. They have 2 solid RBs in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, a great QB in Jared Goff (who they just gave a major extension to), and an excellent offensive line. If WR Amon-Ra St. Brown can keep up his same level of production we've seen in recent years, there's no saying how far this team could go.
Packers (9-8)
A team that didn't really show their full potential until late last regular season and into the postseason, the Packers come into this season with plus odds to make the playoffs. They have a solid young QB in Jordan Love who proved last year that his many seasons behind Aaron Rodgers payed off. They have a new #1 RB in Josh Jacobs who should improve stats between the tackles, and a solid WR core that may not be the flashiest, but gets the job done. Overall, management has done a good job building a youthful team, and this season will prove it.
Vikings (8-9)
It't not so much that I don't trust JJ McCarthy, but more that the Vikings have a tough schedule. I'm not sure that they have the talent on the team to lift them over better teams, and they don't play enough teams that I view as worse than them to carry them to a winning record. It's a buildng year in Minnesota, though, and fans shouldn't be expecting anything crazy with a rookie QB and a new RB. It's going to take a while for the offense to adjust to the new faces, and they don't exactly play in an easy division. Still, 1 game under .500 is a good sign for Vikings faithful.
Bears (5-12)
This is not to say that I don't think they will improve, but more so a reflection of their schedule, much like the Vikings. Caleb Williams is the only rookie QB that I am confident will be good, but I think it will still take this team a couple of years to get their. The Vikings, Packers, and Lions all currently have better built-out rosters, and the rest of the NFC isn't exactly weak. This is a building year for Chicago, they'll get their eventually, just not now.
Eli Knight
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