The NFC North is a division led by the quarterbacks and won by defenses. Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Mitchell Trubisky and now Kirk Cousins roam the North waiting for their turn at the top.
Cousins signed a three year deal worth $84 million with Minnesota this offseason. Brought over from Washington, Cousins has placed himself in a situation where he must win a Super Bowl in the next three seasons. Getting to the Super Bowl is tough enough already but winning the NFC North will be no simple task either.
The Packers and Bears both made significant upgrades on both sides of the ball but honed in their attention on defense.
Green Bay used five of their seven draft picks to address the defense while also signing Muhammad Wilkerson to fill in gaps on the line.
Chicago perhaps made the biggest move of the offseason by trading for Khalil Mack just before week one. Other moves made by the Bears were to help second year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky take the next step in his development.
Where does Detroit fit in all this?
Detroit was not very active in free agency but decided for a culture change instead. The Lions hired former New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as their new Head Coach.
The NFC North will be a wild ride in 2018. Thankfully, we have a clear view of the action.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The only weakness Minnesota had in 2017 is no longer a weakness 2018.
The aforementioned signing of Kirk Cousins was the only move necessary for a team with the number one ranked receiving corps and top six defense, according to profootballfocus.com.
The signing of Kirk Cousins bumped up the Vikings' odd of the winning the Super Bowl from 16/1 to 12/1, according to 247sports.com. The second best odds behind the New Orleans Saints.
Cousins is replacing Case Keenum, who left for Denver, and will be the Vikings' first franchise quarterback since Daunte Culpepper. Completing just over 65 percent of his passes and having an average QB rating of 93.7, Cousins is exactly what Minnesota needs to take the next step.
Returning for Minnesota is arguably the best receiving duo in all of football. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen combined for 155 receptions and 2,125 yards last season. It is yet to be seen if they can duplicate their success in 2018 with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur now in New York but new coordinator Jerry DeFilippo is capable of continuing the duos success.
Where the offense made changes, the defense stayed the same. Small pieces may have moved on but the core is still together and are just as strong.
Three interceptions and a forced fumble on the goal line were deciding factors in a 24-16 victory over San Francisco last week. Minnesota totaled four turnovers in week one, the third most so far this season.
A week two game against Green Bay will test Minnesota's status as a top tier Super Bowl favorite. Defensive consistency and the return of Dalvin Cook alongside Cousins will help Minnesota reign supreme in week two and in the NFC North.
Verdict:
The Minnesota Vikings won't finish with the best record in the NFL. A tougher schedule and an overall better NFC will cause the Vikings to take a couple more losses this season.
The losses won't mean much as Minnesota will find themselves at the top of the NFC North and a making a deep playoff run. A record of 11-5 puts the Vikings equal with the Eagles tied for third place in the conference standings.
The addition of Cousins and return of Dalvin Cook will make it an easy transition from Pat Shurmur to John DeFilippo. The receiving core will remain in the top 10 while the defense will continue to win the turnover game ultimately paving the way for a possible Super Bowl victory.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Aaron Rodgers is the Green Bay Packers. He is their driving force and has been for the past 10 seasons. He is a two time MVP, six time pro bowler and led Green Bay to a Super Bowl win in 2010.
The Packers owed Aaron Rodgers for all his hard work and they paid him for it, in the pocket book and on the field.
Rodgers signed a record four year, $134 million contract that includes $100 million guaranteed to stay in Green Bay. Rodgers showed trust in Green Bay to improve the roster by re-signing and they came through.
Green Bay signed defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson to play next to Kenny Clark. In the secondary, the Packers brought back fan favorite Tramon Williams and drafted Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson. All four are playmakers and will contribute to an improved Packers defense in 2018.
Green Bay also gave Rodgers another weapon on offense. The 6 foot 7 inch tight end Jimmy Graham brings his 69 career touchdowns to Lambeau Field. Graham along with Rodgers have the ability to become a top redzone scoring duo in 2018.
A week one comeback victory over Chicago was vintage Aaron Rodgers. Two questions arise from the win though: How healthy is Rodgers and how long can he keep leading Green Bay back from possible defeat?
Verdict:
The Green Bay Packers are one of the most intriguing teams to watch this season. Having the best quarterback in the NFL healthy again and improvements on defense will do the Packers dividends.
Expect an increase in every statistical category for the Packers this season. The most important improvement will be in the win column.
2017 was a bad year for Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers missed the majority of the season which led to a 7-9 record and a third place finish in the North. 2018 will be the polar opposite.
Green Bay will dominate opponents offensively and the defense will be good enough to steal some wins against tougher opponents.
Finishing 10-5 and securing a Wild Card is a destined finish for Green Bay in 2018 but once in the playoffs, Aaron Rodgers is unpredictable and can do the impossible.
CHICAGO BEARS
The Chicago Bears are arguably the most improved team in all of football. The front office made countless moves to help build a potential juggernaut defense while bringing in talent to continue second year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
The flashiest move of the offseason came days before week one of the 2018 season began when Chicago traded for 2016 Defensive Player of the Khalil Mack. The move instantly gave the Bears an elite pass rusher and it showed in week one against Green Bay. Mack totaled three tackles including one sack and even intercepted a pass which he returned for a touchdown.
Other additions such as receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel along with first-round draft pick RoQuan Smith made small impacts in week one.
Week one was a showcase for Chicago and they proved they can hang around with playoff caliber teams. In fact, Chicago should have beat Green Bay if not for one glaring issue that will plague the Bears all season.
Mitchell Trubisky is a better runner than a passer. Trubisky cannot score threw the air. in 12 games last season Trubiksy threw seven touchdown passes. He did not even average a passing touchdown per game. That was easily the lowest of any starting quarterback last season. Trubiksy is a runner and he is good at it but to win in the NFL, teams have to be able to stretch the field and score threw the air. Chicago did not do it in week one against Green Bay and will have a tough time with the Seahawks if they cannot do it again this week.
Verdict:
The Chicago Bears are the NFC's equivalent of the Denver Broncos. The Bears will good, just not good enough.
Chicago's defense will creep up the ranks and inch its way towards the top of the NFL. Khalil Mack and RoQuan Smith will prove to be cornerstone type players while the offensive additions will ease the pressure off of star running back Jordan Howard.
Mitchell Trubisky has to improve in 2018 for the Bears to be successful. He can run, he has to able to score via the pass. If Trubisky cannot, it will be a mediocre season for Chicago that will end it what-ifs.
Chicago has a team that can compete against anyone in 2018. Unfortunately, the Bears don't have a team that can beat everyone. A one game improvement from 2017 will be a step in the right direction for Chicago. Let's just hope Mitchell Trubisky can take the next step amidst a 6-10 season.
DETROIT LIONS
Who are the 2018 Detroit Lions? If it is what we saw in week one Detroit should quit now.
Matthew Stafford threw five interceptions against the Jets in week one. The Lions lost 48-17. A pitiful performance from a team many said would compete for a Wild Card spot in 2018.
The Saints lost in week one but they remain our pick to win the NFC South and the Super Bowl. The Lions lost in week one and are now our pick to finish in last place in the NFC North.
Matthew Stafford is a good quarterback and has proven it time and time again. He has thrown for 5,000 yards in a season and has kept the Lions competitive during his nine seasons in Detroit. Stafford is not the issue.
The issue is the system. The Lions decided to fire head coach Jim Caldwell in 2017 marking the abrupt end to rather successful tenure. Under Caldwell, Detroit finished over .500 three times including an 11-5 record in his first year. Detroit would go onto finished 9-7 the last two seasons with Caldwell at the helm but made a move to hire Matt Patricia this offseason.
Patricia served under Bill Belichick as defensive coordinator and has brought that system to Detroit. It obviously does not work or at least something has not clicked with the players which has resulted in reports of Patricia being disliked in the locker room.
Dissension only after week one is not the start Patricia expected but it is telling of 2018 holds for Detroit.
Verdict:
Detroit's roster has it's bright spots. Quarterback Matthew Stafford along with Golden Tate, Darius Slay, and Ezekiel Ansah highlight a rather weak team compared to the rest of the NFC.
A embarrassing week one loss to the Jets and rookie quarterback Sam Darnold foreshadows the journey ahead for the Lions.
Last years 9-7 record will look like a distant memory after 2018. Starting the year out 0-5, including a loss to head coach Matt Patricia's former employer, will make many question the legitimacy of the new regime. Consecutive wins against Miami and Seattle will allow Detroit to breathe a sigh of relief before losing six of their last nine games.
A 5-11 record for Detroit is not what many fans would have expected but by seasons end Matt Patricia's name will be added to the list of former New England coaches to fail.
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