NFL 2024 Division Previews; NFC North Edition; Three Playoff Teams?

Over the next pair of months, I will be going through each division and giving an overall projection of how they could perform in the upcoming season. The record projection should be taken with a grain of salt as we are still months out before the season even starts and roster changes and injuries will occur in that time.

1) Detroit Lions – Projected Record 12-5

The Lions were on the brink of a Super Bowl appearance last season if it weren’t for a collapse late against the 49ers that cost them that shot. This year they have just a good shot to get back there if not better this time around.

After a ton of recent successful drafts that gave them some young stars along with plenty of complementary pieces, they’ve built the roster well. Along with that, they’ve started dishing out the big contracts to some of the biggest names on the roster like Goff, Sewell, and St. Brown. There are still some concerns with the defense as it was an issue at times last season, at the very least, they’re a little older, more experienced, and have an elite talent at corner as a rookie. If their offense continues to be explosive, 12 wins is easily achievable which could also be good enough for the first seed in the NFC.

2) Green Bay Packers – Projected Record 11-6

The Packers were a bit of a rollercoaster, especially at the beginning of the year. Then once things got settled and Jordan Love got comfortable, it became clear that a full-on rebuild wasn’t going to be needed as some thought they might have needed. As the youngest roster in the NFL season, they managed to not only make the playoffs but soundly beat the Cowboys as well.

Going into this season, they should get off to a more consistent start, that beginning stretch of the season has plenty of winnable games and ones they should be favored for. Expect the young talent that was already on the roster to take another step forward, especially in the passing game, it’ll be interesting to see if Josh Jacobs can get back to his prime form. It’s also worth noting that their draft class is going to play an important role in their success this season, continuing their trend of leaning on young talent as of late. 11 wins is a tally the Packers can get to, that could also go one way or the other depending on the development of their young players.

3) Chicago Bears – Projected Record 10-7

Last season could not have gotten off to a worse start to the season. The offense had no consistency, the defense was getting gashed, and it was poor. As it went on, the Bears played much better down the stretch, especially because of the defense once head coach Matt Eberflus took over the play calling. A legit top-ten unit from that point and he’ll continue to build on top of that this season.

Not only should the trend of the defense continue to get better, but the big changes and the excitement the Bears are gathering have been on the offensive side of the ball. Reminiscent of the Bengals when they put a good supporting cast around Joe Burrow, the Bears have done something similar to first overall pick, Caleb Williams. Legit, maybe the best receiving core in the league already in Moore, Allen, and Odunze. Two good tight ends with Kmet and Everett. Adding Swift in the backfield to go along with Herbert; and an offensive line group that has experience together and should continue to get better. It should be an exciting season for the Bears but as always there could be some growing pains I’m betting that doesn’t hold them back and they could sneak into the Wild Card this season.

4) Minnesota Vikings – Projected Record 6-11

Last season was a big opposite of the year prior where they won a bunch of one-score games, that was not the case last season. They were losing those games and once Kirk Cousins went down and Justin Jefferson missed plenty of time, the offense became poor and their defense had plenty of holes. They would end up moving on from Kirk Cousins in the offseason which is always a big deal when you transition from a long-time starter.

For some of their issues, the Vikings addressed a lot in the draft and had a great few days. Drafting their franchise quarterback while also not having to move up to get him is a huge plus regardless of some peoples’ feelings on JJ. McCarthy and if he’ll succeed in the NFL, the Vikings believe in him. Also securing Dallas Turner is huge, especially that late for him when in reality Turner is clearly a top ten prospect caliber player. Now, the Vikings are unsure if Sam Darnold or McCarthy will be taking the first snap once the season gets underway but regardless of who it is, there will almost certainly be some growing pains even if their elite receiving duo wills them to some victories. So while not a horrible roster by any means it’s easy to see this team comfortably in fourth in their division.