To the frozen tundra of the North we go-- quite possibly the most interesting division the league has to offer. Outside of a few positional groups, on paper, there's few weak points on any four of these teams. Smells like a tight race for the crown.
Chicago Bears
Did they do it? Did Chicago finally draft a quarterback who can bring a modern passing game to the Windy City? While admittedly as big a Caleb Williams doubter as any, the kid has looked really sharp so far in preseason action. Will he be able to keep it up against the first stringers come week one?
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| Photo: Daniel Bartel/ USA Today Sports |
D'Andre Swift is coming off a career high in carries with Philly, but handled them efficiently, finishing with a 4.6 YPC. No reason to think the 25-year-old couldn't run that back behind a solid offensive line. Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer offer some diverse depth behind him.
The DJ Moore-Keenan Allen-Rome Odunze trio should be a dominant one. The three are going to give even the best opposing secondaries fits. Cole Kmet has a nice skill set at tight end to fill in the gaps these guys leave, don't be surprised if he becomes a safety blanket for Williams.
Crazy thing is, even with all the offseason upgrades on the offense, this Bears defense still may be better. Montez Sweat was a perfect addition last trade deadline for a group that needed a marquee pass rusher to put themselves over the top. Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards are solid over the middle of the field, while Jaylon Johnson is quietly one of the premier cornerbacks around.
Strong safety Jaquan Brisker has emerged as a reliable, home-grown piece on the back end of this secondary. If the recently signed Kevin Byard can return to form next to him, then good luck throwing against Chicago.
One Bold Prediction: Marcedes Lewis catches three touchdowns this season. The tight end started his professional football journey when Caleb Williams entered kindergarten, making this one of the least likely connections out there. After adding Gerald Everett in free agency, the Bears could've let Lewis walk, but they brought him back. Let's find out what they have in store for the 40-year-old!
Detroit Lions
The darlings of the NFL in 2023, Dan Campbell's Lions. Jared Goff's had a career renaissance since being cast aside for Matthew Stafford a few years ago, really shining in Detroit. His connection with Amon Ra St. Brown has been a vital part of that success, exploding for just shy of 3,600 yards in his three years since coming out of USC. Not bad for the 112th overall pick...will first rounder Jameson Williams finally join him as a viable, consistent threat?
This backfield though, is going to be a fun one. Jahmyr Gibbs is healing up from pulling a hammy last week, but don't expect that to hamper him too far into the regular season. David Montgomery is a stud 1B, who'll shoulder the load just fine until Gibbs returns.
Aidan Hutchinson is the star on this defensive line, coming off an 11.5 sophomore stint. Look for that number to grow as DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport enter the mix, whenever Reader is able to return from a quadriceps tear.
Many eyes rolled when the Lions spent a first rounder on Jack Campbell in the 2023 draft, but he was a perfect fit in this defense next to Alex Anzalone. Having Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph at safety behind you doesn't hurt either-- one of the most slept upon pairs at the position. Carlton Davis will get the first crack at cornerback in his first year away from Tampa Bay. Look for rookies Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. to push for snaps once they're fully healthy.
One Bold Prediction: Donovan Peoples-Jones finishes as the WR2 for Detroit. Jameson Williams is approaching bust territory, while Kalif Raymond is nothing more than decent, opening a real opportunity for DPJ to become a contributing member of this passing attack. Sam LaPorta's the true second pass catcher in this offense, but there has to be some other receiver step up.
Green Bay Packers
It seems the Packers did a very Packers thing, drafting a young quarterback, letting him learn for a few years behind a star that'd overstayed their welcome and set them out to succeed. Jordan Love was off to a slow start in '23, but was magnificent over the second half, raising expectations sky high for this go round.
Love doesn't have a true star catching any of his passes, but he's got a versatile and deep cast that get the job done. At 6'4", 208, and fast as hell, Christian Watson has the most potential to stand out, he just has to keep himself on the field. Jayden Reed stepped up as a rusher and receiver, racking up 912 total yards and 10 touchdowns. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks make deep plays a couple times a game, while Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft find space underneath. No single person to focus on, but plenty to account for.
Running back Josh Jacobs will look to prove that his regression in 2023 was a result of a terrible offense and not a decline. The disappointing AJ Dillon will back him up, at least as long as he can hold off rookie MarShawn Lloyd. Not a particularly exciting bunch, but they should be able to complement the passing game enough.
Green Bay's defensive line is talented and deep. Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt-- just to name a few guys to know. Quay Walker is solid at linebacker, while the secondary does have a few depth concerns. Jaire Alexander is the CB1, but he's not consistently as dominant as he used to be. Not a ton behind him. Xavier McKinney was a hell of a signing this offseason though, for a bargain of a price. The former Giant should really help shore up the back end of this D.
One Bold Prediction: Christian Watson eclipses 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. Staying healthy for all 17 games is the first step to accomplishing this goal, but given his connection with Jordan Love and big play ability, the third-year receiver should easily be able to top 1k. It's also completely possible that no Packer receiver tops that mark with how they spread the ball around. Anticipating a fun offense in Lambeau.
Minnesota Vikings
It may be Minnesota and not Detroit, but Sam Darnold better be firing up "Lose Yourself" week one, because this opportunity only comes once in a lifetime. A whole season with Justin Jefferson, and eventually TJ Hockenson and Jordan Addison when they return from injuries-- and a potential suspension for Addison. What more could you ask for in what'll likely be Darnold's final chance as a full time starter?
A better running game would be one nice addition. Aaron Jones will be the RB1 of this group, coming off an up and down campaign for rival Green Bay. Ty Chandler's going to be his primary backup, with Myles Gaskin occasionally springing an appearance. It's a group with a low ceiling.
This defense may be the weakest unit in the North though. Jonathan Greenard was a nice pickup in free agency from Houston who should provide some consistent pass rush. He won't have a ton of help though. Stephon Gilmore should help a pass D that finished in the bottom ten of the league in '23, with Shaquill Griffin holding down the opposite side. A ton of new faces out there.
One Bold Prediction: Sam Darnold's play earns him the ability to compete for a starting job next year, albeit not in Minnesota. We're not saying big contract or career revival, but with the skill players around him on this offense, there's no reason Darnold should look completely incompetent. Modestly expecting a nice campaign from the bust.
Divisional Shakedown
Really difficult division to pick here, with so much youthful talent across the board to consider. The Lions are the current champs, a title they had to stave off Green Bay for last season. Are they prepared for that dog fight again? Can Caleb Williams steal the division for the Bears? Something tells me we see Minnesota play spoiler at some point too.
As it stands now though, let me get Detroit to run it back.
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@Choppinglines
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