It’s a completely new era in the North. No Aaron Rodgers means the division title is up for grabs by anybody. Not just the Vikings, anybody!!! Enough said!

NFC NORTH

DETROIT LIONS

I had a feeling coach Dan Campbell was building something when he became the coach. The “bite someone’s kneecaps off” mantra sticks to this day, and boy are the Lions bought in. Their offense was electric with Jared Goff’s best performance since 2019. He’ll be aided by new bloods in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery along with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams (after his suspension), Marvin Jones, Brock Wright, and Sam LaPorta, Jason Cabinda, and the offensive line. Let’s hope Detroit’s defense steadily improves with a mix of young talent and veteran experience. Aidan Hutchinson should have another good year along with Alex Anzalone, a promising secondary led by Kerby Joseph. Week 1 against Kansas City could determine who the “new look” Lions are. Their schedule looks promising, but their defense must step up. It’s possible they can win most of their home games, but road games against Green Bay, Tampa, Baltimore, the Chargers, New Orleans, Chicago, Minnesota, and Dallas will show if they are for real or not.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Questions surround Green Bay’s quarterback, the offense, and the team as a whole. Jordan Love and the young roster will prosper for sure. Defense continues adding to their depth of already good players. But Love must get it done to compete for the division title. Avoiding injuries on offense and in key positions on defense is a must. Most importantly, I’ve heard doubts about Joe Barry as defensive coordinator and how he calls plays and sets his scheme. That by itself puts Green Bay in a questionable position when their season’s on the line in a wide-open division. Their schedule goes either way depending on the production of a new offense and Barry’s defense. The early schedule is kinda favorable, but the schedule after the bye could determine the young Packers’ season. If Green Bay plays sporadic, don’t be shocked if Matt LaFleur’s on the hot seat and Barry’s job is called into question.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

What is up with Minnesota and close games? Two seasons ago, they lost a lot of close ones. Last season, they won all of their close games except Week 1 and Week 18 that ended in double-digit wins. Their four regular season losses, however, were all by blowouts. They also lost key players in Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks, Patrick Peterson, and Dalvin Cook. But they wasted no time drafting Jordan Addison and Mekhi Blackmon while signing Marcus Davenport. How much of a difference does it make when you lose key players in favor of unproven ones except for Davenport? Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson will be good all season, but it doesn’t look promising. They face the Lions, but they could have issues against the Bears and Packers too. Then you add in the Chargers, Chiefs, 49ers, Saints, Broncos, and Bengals.

CHICAGO BEARS

The Bears could finish last again, but they could also contend for a playoff spot and maybe a division title with how wide open the NFC North is after Aaron Rodgers’ departure. The Bears won the offseason outright. They had the overall draft pick and traded it for future draft picks and a new shiny receiver in DJ Moore. They went into the draft and addressed issues in various positions on both sides, and the first six picks could work out in the long run. However, this is still a young roster that needs time to progress, and their schedule isn’t promising either. If they can get at least one divisional win each, they can capitalize on the rest of their schedule. Justin Fields and the Bears won three games last season, but it was against quarterbacks drafted in the same class as Fields. Can win more without facing one? We’ll have to wait and see.