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As the 2015 season inches closer, we’re examining each NFL division, asking you which team you expect to finish atop the East, North, South, and West. Having already taken a closer look at the East divisions and the AFC North, we’re shifting our focus to the NFC North, where there’s one clear favorite up in Green Bay.
As long as Aaron Rodgers is at the helm, the Packers figure to be the perennial favorites in the division, especially if the club can continue locking up its key players to affordable deals, like it did this offseason with wide receiver Randall Cobb and offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga. Green Bay wasn’t active on the trade market and didn’t bring in any notable outside free agents, but the team still heads into the 2015 season as the frontrunner in the North.
Still, it won’t be a cakewalk for the Packers. The Lions nearly took the division crown in 2014, and despite the loss of Ndamukong Suh, Detroit should field a solid team again this year. The Bears were one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments last season, and will look to rebound under new head coach John Fox in 2015. It remains to be seen if Fox and new offensive coordinator Adam Gase can have anywhere near the success in Chicago with Jay Cutler that they did in Denver with Peyton Manning, but the duo looks like an upgrade over former head coach Marc Trestman and OC Aaron Kromer.
Finally, the Vikings are a popular early dark horse pick in the NFC, with Teddy Bridgewater heading into his second season, Adrian Peterson returning to the field, and young linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks looking to help lead an underrated defense. Minnesota isn’t viewed as a probable playoff team at this point, but there’s plenty to like about Mike Zimmer‘s squad.
What do you think? Do any of the Packers’ three division rivals have a shot to take the division from Green Bay in 2015? Who do you expect to win the NFC North? Let us know in the comment section below!
They say that if you don’t get better in the offseason, you’re getting worse. I don’t know if that’s the case with the Packers. They didn’t do anything splashy in the spring but I still think they’re the favorites to win it all.
The Bears might have a shot with their new regime but it’s forget about last year’s massive issues.
Packers are still better than anyone else in the division, but they lost 2 corners and some role players off the NFCCG roster. They’ll be weaker.
You make a good point but if Damarious Randall can transition well to CB they might not take much of a hit there
Don’t forget about Quinten Rollins, as well. I’ve seen some say he might be better than Randall.