Watch Nick Wright of FS1’s First Things First reveal his predictions for the NFC North Division that will feature the loaded Packers, the vengeful Lions, the burgeoning Bears, and the weary Vikings.
4. Minnesota Vikings
“Sam Darnold is going to shock people by continuing to be Sam Darnold... I know a lot of people are like ‘THIS IS THE YEAR!’... Nope, he’ll be the same guy he’s always been and it’s just going to keep happening. I thought they should have considered trading for Mac Jones. I feel bad for Justin Jefferson but he’ll still have 1,200 yards at least because he’s Justin Jefferson.”
3. Green Bay Packers
“They’ll miss the playoffs. I still don’t trust the defense. Everybody loves Jeff Hafley. They’re like ‘OH, MY GOD, THEIR NEW D-COORDINATOR WAS THE HEAD COACH AT BOSTON COLLEGE!’... I’m not Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica, but I never think ‘BOSTON COLLEGE, THAT DEFENSE CRUSHES!’... No AJ Dillon is a big deal. Major kicker worries; they just cut the kicker that they drafted a year ago. They have real expectations. Last year this team was 6-8 and then beat Bryce Young, Jaren Hall, and Justin Fields. That’s how they made the playoffs. Yes, they were brilliant for six quarters in the playoffs. The whole game against the Cowboys and the first half of the Divisional Round. Progress is not linear in this league. Sometimes you’re looking good, take a step back, and then go. There’s going to be a lot of people who pick them to go to the Super Bowl – I think they have a year similar to last year, eight or nine wins, but this year it’s not enough to make the playoffs.”
2. Detroit Lions
“I love the roster, but the kicker situation worries me for a team with championship aspirations. They had a very good kicker, he tore his hamstring, and now they got a kid from the UFL. There’s a lot of pressure on Jameson Williams, who was a great collegiate player but hasn’t shown it. I like the Lions, I think they have a top 3 overall roster in the league, but I don’t think they’re going to be good enough to beat the Chicago Bears.”
1. Chicago Bears
“I think the Bears are going to win 11 games and win the division title. I think they are going to be one of three teams this year that has a top ten defense and a top ten offense. Caleb is going to be able to spread the ball around to Swift, Rome Odunze, and DJ Moore. I think Caleb is going to run for 500 yards and score five rushing touchdowns. I love how soft the open of their schedule is, which allows them to get confidence and get rolling before the divisional games come.”
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