The NFC North is anyone’s game now that Aaron Rodgers left. Who will take the throne?
Chicago Bears
Offense Overview: Justin Fields is entering his 3rd season having to carry the entire Bears offense in 2022. He threw for 2,247 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while leading the team in rushing with 1,143 yards and 8 touchdowns. Khalil Herbert is the second back behind Fields, and I expect more of the workload to fall on him this year. Fields now has a legit number 1 receiver in DJ Moore to throw to. He also has Darnell Mooney, who should be a solid number 2 option, Claypool as a solid 3, and a good tight end in Cole Kmet. The offensive line is okay, with rookie Darnell Wright sliding in at right tackle. The rest of the offensive line is shaky, but this offense is much improved overall.
Defense Overview: This defensive line does not move me at all. Yannick Ngakoue is a solid addition, but more work still needs to be done. This defensive line ranked 32nd in the league last year in sacks, and my guess is that they will end up around that mark again. Edmounds and Edwards were good additions at linebacker, but I am still confused as to why they didn’t pay Roquan Smith just to pay Tremaine Edmounds. Regardless, it should be a respectable linebacking duo. I like Eddie Jackson leading the secondary at free safety. He was going to be a pro bowler until he went down with his foot injury. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordan have an opportunity to be a solid cornerback duo.
Overall Assessment: The Bear made good moves, but I needed more to consider them for a division title. I expect this year to be a step forward for them, but there are still more moves to be made before I consider putting them in playoff contention. Ryan Poles is putting the Bears in an excellent position to succeed in the future. Projected Finish: 6-11, 4th in the NFC North.
Minnesota Vikings
Offense Overview: Kirk Cousins is entering his 6th and potentially final year with the Vikings. He put up 4,547 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Some say he is underrated; some say he is overrated. I say he is properly rated. However, he needs to finish the job this year because the leeway is running out. Dalvin Cook was cut, which means Alexander Mattison is next up. He should be the primary back in this offense. Justin Jefferson and rookie Jordan Addison should make up a nasty duo for Cousins to throw to, and do not forget about TJ Hockenson, who is an excellent pass-catching threat. All five starters are returning for the offensive line, so this may be the best protection Cousins has had in his career. This offense could be even better than last year.
Defense Overview: The loss of Dalvin Tomlinson will significantly hurt this Vikings defensive line. I expect this run defense to take a step back even further after being ranked 20th in the league last year. The loss of Za’darius Smith hurts this pass rush even more. Jordan Hicks is a good addition at middle linebacker after the loss of Eric Kendricks. Harrison Smith is entering year 11 and is a dark horse Hall of Famer, in my opinion. He looks to Byron Murphy Jr., Andrew Booth Jr., and Lewis Cine to help improve a secondary ranked 31st in the league last year.
Overall Assessment: I think this team is due for regression. There were 9-0 in games decided by 8 or fewer points and finished with a point differential of negative 3. I can’t see them repeating that same success this year with a worse defense, ranked 31st last year, and a challenging schedule. I see this being a letdown year for the Vikings. Projected Finish: 7-10, 3rd in the AFC North.
Green Bay Packers
Offense Overview: Jordan Love finally has the keys to the Packers after Aaron Rodgers’ departure. The 2020 first-round pick will look to lead a passing offense that was 17th in the league last year. To help him, he has Aaron Jones and AJ Dillion, who put up 1,121 and 770 yards, respectively. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs round out an extremely young receiving core. The Packers offensive line was ranked 3rd in the league last year, according to Pro Football Focus. David Bakhtiari returned to his All-Pro form last year and should be a reliable anchor for Love as he settles into his new role.
Defense Overview: Kenny Clark will anchor this defensive line along with pass-rushing duo Rashaan Gary and Preston Smith, who put up 6 and 8.5 sacks, respectively. I expect at least one of these two to hit double digits for sacks this year. Quay Walker and De’Vondre Campbell should make a nice linebacker duo. The Packers cornerback room of Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and slot corner Eric Stokes make a case for the best corner trio in the league. The problem lies in their safeties. Adrian Amos is gone, Darnell Savage has been inconsistent, and Rudy Ford is okay. Half the secondary is fantastic, while the other half leaves a big question mark.
Overall Assessment: I am higher on the Packers than most people are, and that is because Jordan Love could be a solid starter very quickly. The offense started figuring it out at the end of the year, and I think this will happen again. The defense should be good again, but the safeties must figure it out quickly. I don’t think this team will make the playoffs, but I project them to perform above expectations. Projected Finish: 9-8, 2nd in the NFC North
Detroit Lions
Offense Overview: Jared Goff enters his 3rd season with the Lions after putting up an impressive 4,438 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. At the beginning of his Lions tenure, he was supposed to be a bridge quarterback. Now, he may be looking at a long-term extension with the Lions. The running back room is entirely different, with David Montgomery playing the role of Jamaal Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs playing the role of Deandre Swift. Both are an upgrade, and I expect them to play a massive role in this offense. Amon Ra St. Brown is the number wideout and looks to have another fantastic year. After him, there are a lot of question marks. Jameson Williams is suspended for 6 games and is injured, Marvin Jones is old, and Sam Laporta is just a rookie. I still expect good results, though. The offensive line is top 5 in the NFL. Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, and Penei Sewell are a dominant offensive line.
Defense Overview: Aidan Hutchinson was very disruptive last year, and James Houston was a pleasant surprise addition in the second half of the season. These two have a chance to hit double-digit sacks each. John Cominksy and Josh Pascal should be a respectable interior defensive line to complement the Lion’s budding pass rush. Jack Campbell, Malcom Rodriguez, and Alex Anazalone also make up a solid linebacking core. The secondary is completely new besides rookie standout Kerby Joesph. Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Mosely, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson make up the rest of the new and improved secondary.
Overall Assessment: The expectations for this team are high for the first time in a long time, and they are finally up to the task. This team got better in almost every facet of the game, and I expect them to win this division. I am almost scared to get excited as a Lions fan. Projected Finish: 11-6, 1st in the AFC North.
The CloudZeroSports Team Division Predictions:
Stephen’s Pick: Lions Two years ago, I would not have thought I would be picking the Lions to win this division. After finishing the season strong last year, this team is on an upward trajectory, and this division is up for grabs. I think the Lions finally make the big leap and win the NFC North for the first time in a long time.
Dante’s Pick: Vikings The Vikings are primed to capture the NFC North crown once again in 2023. Kevin O’Connell’s offensive scheme will maximize Kirk Cousins’ strengths and get star receiver Justin Jefferson into space. On defense, Harrison Smith will keep the secondary intact, with edge rusher Danielle Hunter wreaking havoc up front. I think Minnesota’s defense will take a big step forward with Brian Flores calling the plays. If Cousins limits turnovers and the offensive line holds up, the Vikings have the talent on both sides of the ball to win the division.
Puggy’s Pick: Lions This division has finally been given the grace period it has been waiting quite some time for. The four-time MVP, Aaron Rodgers, has finally left the NFC North, and the division is poised to have a competitive season. All four teams have made additions to improve their rosters further, but some have had losses this off-season that may detrimentally hurt them regarding who wins the division. After analyzing all the off-season moves and the current state of each team’s roster, I firmly believe that the one and only Detroit Lions will prevail and be this year’s NFC North champs. The Lions have been in a weird rebuild/reconstruction state for the past 5 seasons, but with the hiring of Dan Campbell two years ago, the culture in Detroit has done a complete 180. They have focused on building both sides of the trenches with the drafting of Penel Sewell two years ago, Aiden Hutchinson last season, and Jack Campbell this year. They formed a formidable running back duo in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and most importantly, they formed an identity. They have developed an identity that the Lions have been in the hunt for many years. They will go into every game hungry and gritty, and when it is all said and done, that culture will help them succeed.
Zach’s Pick: Lions Stephen will love this one. The NFC North division winners are going to be the Detroit Lions. The Lions showed everyone last year that they are a team that can win. They have an elite coaching staff led by head coach Dan Campbell a fantastic offensive line that can give Jared Goff the time he needs to get the ball out to his playmakers like Amon-Ra St. Brown. The team’s highlight is the defensive line that can quickly get that offensive back on the field. As for the rest of the division, after losing an elite running back in Dalvin Cook, Minnesota would need to rely more on their duo of Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson, which could win them games, even with their defense. The Bears picked up DJ Moore to aid the exciting Justin Fields, which could do damage. Finally, even with their great defense, the end of the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay will hurt the Packers. It all lies on Jordan Love to perform to prove the Packers are still a threat to the NFC North.
Ryan’s Pick: Packers The Green Bay Packers will win the NFC North division, hands down. Their defense will be a tough one to beat. They play very well together and have excellent talent to show for it. One step backward would be Aaron Rodgers leaving the Packers and going to the New York Jets. However, I wouldn’t call this as much of a setback as most are thinking. Jordan Love is young and can quickly build up to be a great legend in football. I truly believe he has a lot to offer. Time will tell. A young receiving core and established offensive line will lock up the NFC North crown for the Packers in 2023.
Micky’s Pick: Lions This is long overdue, but I also don’t think it’s guaranteed. While the Lions improved their secondary and added some exciting running backs, you would be foolish to rule out the Vikings that just finished last season 13-4. The Vikings will have a full year of T.J. Hockenson to work with in 2023. This should alleviate some of the attention and coverage Jefferson faced last year. We should see improvement amongst those two individuals, but as a team, I think they take just enough of a step back to lose their number 1 spot to the Lions. As for the Packers and Bears, I could see either team finishing 3rd or 4th. We will see Jordan Love get his chance for the Packers. Still, I feel it will be reminiscent of what Yankees fans expected with Anthony Volpe at the beginning of the season. An exciting prospect that you want to succeed but will probably hit his weight and be enough to keep him as your starter. For Chicago, it’s a boom or bust year in my eyes. No way you make all those moves and don’t have expectations to make the playoffs with a third-year quarterback, Justin Fields. In the end, I think the Lions will win this division.
Dustin’s Pick: Lions Ah, the NFC North, the tightest division in the NFL. There are many possibilities when looking at this division and tons of outcomes. Every team has some intriguing talent but needs more depth. While I would slate the Lions to win the division this year if I had to choose, every team has been given +140 odds or higher to take it. Looking at the Vikings, who may have the best wide receiver in the NFL, the Packers have solid running game potential in Aaron Jones and a half-decent offensive core, although lacking a quarterback. Finally, there is solidity in the Bears with Justin Fields and new receiver number 1, DJ Moore. That being said, the Lions’ well-rounded offense and the emergence of Jared Goff would give them the upper hand here if I had to choose, but we don’t know until we near the last few weeks of the season.
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