Great Lakes Gauntlet – 2024 NFC North Preview

Last year, nobody thought that the NFC North would be as competitive as it was. The Detroit Lions dominated the year, but teams like the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings stayed in contention, with Green Bay making the playoffs and even going on a short run. Even the Chicago Bears, despite digging a large hole early, finished the season at 7-10. Simply put: The NFC North was fun to watch last year.

This year should be different. Both Chicago and Minnesota have rookie quarterbacks, each team acquired at least one “must-have” talent through free agency or trade, and they all kept their head coaches. With each team developing, it would not be shocking if one of these four teams at least made a Super Bowl in the next three-to-five years.

 

Chicago Bears

Record in 2023-24: 7-10

Key Player: Shane Waldron – Offensive Coordinator

Player To Watch: Gervon Dexter Sr. – Defensive Tackle

“Da Bears” had a winning lottery ticket type of offseason. Not only did they acquire one of the best wide receivers in the NFL (Keenan Allen) as well as in the draft (Rome Odunze), not only did they snag their potential franchise quarterback (Caleb Williams) thanks to the mismanagement of the Carolina Panthers, but they also beefed up the power up front on the offensive line and tight end positions.

For Chicago to have more success than last year, they will have to do two things.

Starting on the offensive side of the ball, the big question will be if offensive coordinator Shane Waldron can develop Williams. Since 2017, Mitch Trubisky and Justin Fields have fallen prey to their offensive coordinator’s failure to develop the quarterbacks past a mid-to-low tier level. While Waldron was able to get the best out of Seattle quarterback Geno Smith, there is a difference between reviving a career and developing a new talent. This will be his biggest test and what could make or break his coaching future.

On the defensive side, their pass defense is going to need to step up. Chicago had the best run defense but was 25th against the pass. Part of that has to do with the pass rush needing work and part of it has to do with the defensive backs continuing to develop. Either way, if they cannot shore it up, teams will eat them alive. Prediction: 6-11

 

Detroit Lions

Record in 2023-24: 12-5

Key Player: Carlton Davis III – Cornerback

Player To Watch: Jameson Williams – Wide Receiver

Last year, the Detroit Lions wreaked havoc in the NFL. After years of being the league’s easiest prey, they became the apex predators. All thanks to a philosophy change courtesy of head coach Dan Campbell.
While it’s easy to assume that they’ll do the same thing again, they’ll have to do so with a new cornerback room.

Emmanuel Moseley is out indefinitely with an injury and Cameron Sutton is now in Pittsburgh. It will be up to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III and rookie Terrion Arnold to step hold down the fort. If they’re up to the task and can improve past last year’s 27th ranked pass defense, then they’ll be in the driver’s seat.

Jameson Williams will finally get his chance to prove himself this season. After missing most of his rookie season with an injury he suffered in college and then serving a suspension in 2023 (combined with an unremarkable season), he will get his chance. The clock is ticking now, so it is time for him to show something.

Realistically, Detroit should be on pace for another good year. One thing that could derail it quickly are s Campbell’s risks. While that’s part of his charm and how he has gotten there, more teams will watch what happened in the NFC Championship and either try to get Detroit in those situations more often or realize when those risks are coming and take advantage of it. Coach Campbell may have just shown a chink in the armor. Prediction: 11-6

 

Green Bay Packers

Record in 2023-24: 9-8

Key Player: Christian Watson – Wide Receiver

Player To Watch: Javon Bullard – Safety

A good portion of fans were expecting Green Bay to take a step back following the departure of Aaron Rodgers. Instead, Jordan Love stepped in at quarterback and not only did enough to get the Packers to the playoffs and even get a win in the postseason, but to secure an extension in the process. We will not talk about what happened to Rodgers (not enough time on the field for that) but it had to be a good feeling.

To take that next step, Green Bay’s wide receiving room is going to need to step up. If Love is to become the next great Packers quarterback, they will have to make sure that they can be his Donald Driver/Javon Walker/Antonio Freeman or Jordy Nelson/Greg Jennings/James Jones. Quarterbacks are paramount to a team’s success most of the time, but the receivers also need to keep up with them.

On the depth chart, the projected left side of Green Bay’s defense looks strong (cornerback Jaire Alexander and safety Xavier McKinney), but it is the right side that could play a role in their success. Cornerback Eric Stokes has not lived up to expectations and rookie Javon Bullard will have to prove he can make it at the professional level. Realistically, this could make or break a couple of games for Green Bay, and if they are going to continue pushing into the playoffs, they’ll need them at their A-game. Prediction: 10-7

 

Minnesota Vikings

Record in 2023-24: 7-10

Key Player: Sam Darnold – Quarterback

Player To Watch: Brian Flores – Defensive Coordinator

A lot has changed in Minnesota. Kirk Cousins is gone, K.J. Osborn is gone and Danielle Hunter is gone. With all of that though, Minnesota found ways to improve, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Minnesota’s front seven looks intimidating to say the least. Brian Flores has the fire power upfront that made a difference with his stops in New England and Miami. This is a team that should get after the quarterback and running backs early and often. If they do, they will be hard to stop.

Even had J.J. McCarthy not gone down with an injury, this season should have been started by veteran journeyman Sam Darnold. This will more than likely be Darnold’s final chance at being a starter in the NFL. If he can’t put together a solid season, similar to what Alex Smith did with the Kansas City Chiefs years ago, then he’ll probably fade further into obscurity. With his track record, odds aren’t great for him. Or Minnesota, for that matter. Prediction: 6-11