With the NFL schedule out, let us take a look at how each team will fare this upcoming season.
As we move closer to the NFL regular, I will be releasing record predictions by division (so four teams). For each team there will be the following: a short analysis of the team and my thoughts; the team’s ceiling (the best record I believe they could get); the team’s floor (the worst record I believe they could get); OPOY (offensive rookie of the year); DPOY (defensive player of the year); ROTY (rookie of the year); and finally BPOY (breakout player of the year). The only rule I have set for these awards is a player can not win two of them and MVPs take priority over the other two awards.
We are kicking things off by discussing the NFC North. The NFCN is expected to be one of the toughest divisions in football with the youthful and upcoming Packers; the defending NFCN champ Lions; the Caleb Williams led Bears; and the revamped Vikings.
Chicago Bears: 10-7 at 5th in the NFC
Photo Credit: NBC Sports | Caleb Williams practicing at Bears rookie minicamp
I am a big fan of this Bears team (other than being a Bears fan). Overall they have set up rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to succeed by surrounding him with an arguably top 10 offensive core in the NFL. This also adds to how stellar their defense was in the second half of the season last year. Now one may have worries that the defense was simply feeding off bad teams, but I would argue that happens a lot on both sides of the ball and you cannot fault them for that.
Now with all of that being said this is still a young team that has its issues. Coaching is a huge question mark as the Bears blew several games last year that could be attributed to bad decision making from the coaches. They have revamped the group and replaced almost everyone but the head coach. The “issue” one may have is Williams is a rookie and will have his struggles as most rookie QBs do. I expect the same out of Williams but not enough to halt the Bears from having a good offense.
With all of these factors considered I have the Chicago Bears going 10-7 and earning a wild card spot in the NFC. The future is bright in Chicago.
Ceiling: 13-4
Floor: 8-9
OPOY: Quarterback Caleb Williams
DPOY: Cornerback Jaylon Johnson
ROTY: EDGE Austin Booker
BPOY: Defensive Tackle Gervon Dexter Sr.
Detroit Lions: 10-7 at 6th in the NFC
Photo Credit: The Oakland Press | Amon Ra St. Brown shows off new black Lions uniforms
BRING THE PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES! I am not as high on this team as others. That is not to say this team is bad as they are far from it but they are for one playing in a stacked division and a much better NFC overall.
I am also not the biggest Goff guy nor was I a big fan of the contract he got. Now Goff is a very good QB but 50 million per year good? I do not know about that. Before I continue my “biased” rant on how I am low on this team let us talk about the things I am a big fan of for this team. They have the best RB duo in the league in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Sam Laporta is a monster at tight end and him plus the “Sun God” (WR Amon Ra St. Brown) and you have one of the best receiving duos in football.
They put a lot of effort into revamping this defense by drafting two cornerbacks with their first two picks in the draft; trading for Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis; and signing star defensive tackle to a two year 22 million dollar deal. Now will these moves work out? Only time will tell.
At the end of the day the Lions are still a very good football team but due to playing in a tougher division and having a difficult schedule, I have them regressing from the 2023-24 season and finishing at 10-7 with earning a wild card spot.
Ceiling: 14-3
Floor: 7-10
OPOY: Tight End Sam LaPorta
DPOY: Safety Brian Branch
ROTY: Cornerback Terrion Arnold
BPOY: Linebacker Jack Campbell
Green Bay Packers: 11-6 at 3rd in the NFC
Photo Credit: CBS Sports | Jordan Love at ATAT Stadium from the 2023-24 postseason
Is Jordan Love an MVP candidate? If Love can keep up his level of play from last season, I would definitely say there is an argument for it. Outside of Love though you still have a very good Packers team. There is no standout pass catcher but overall they have a good group of younger wide receivers and tight ends. Pair this with their (what seems to be always) good offensive line and you have a great young offense that is set up for years to come.
Now let us talk about their defense. It is very similar to the offense in terms of comparison. Two standout “elite” players in cornerback Jaire Alexander and EDGE Rashan Gary along with a bunch of very good young players. Not much to say other than a great team with little to no weaknesses. If I were to say there is a weakness, I would say the defense has had health issues in the path and the defensive side of coaching is mostly unknown. I would add that (even with how unlikely it is) if Love reverts back to his first half of last season form, this team is in trouble.
All things considered though this is a very good team and I have them finishing with a record of 11-6, earning the number three seed in the NFC, and winning the NFCN.
Ceiling: 14-3
Floor: 7-10
OPOY: Quarterback Jordan Love
DPOY: Safety Xavier McKinney
ROTY: Safety Javon Bullard
BPOY: Wide Receiver Romeo Dobbs
