NFC North: 2016 Season outlook
The NFC North division has been a one-man show for a while. In 2015, things changed. For the first time in five years, somebody other than the Packers won. Will the natural order return in 2016?
Here is our off-season review and projected records for each team in the NFC North.
NFC North: Projected 2016 Finish
Green Bay Packers: 13-3
Green Bay got their annual boost from the NFL Draft by getting deeper in the trenches and adding more pass rushers. The Packers also get a healthy Jordy Nelson, a motivated Aaron Rodgers, and a really easy schedule.
Minnesota Vikings: 9-7
Their defense can hold its own with anybody, but there are a lot of questions about Teddy Bridgewater’s ceiling and Adrian Peterson’s age. Sliding two games is a real possibility.
Chicago Bears: 8-8
Best free agency in the NFC? Check. Best NFL Draft class in the NFC? Check. The Chicago Bears are back on track thanks to Ryan Pace.
Detroit Lions: 4-12
Detroit upgraded their defensive and offensive lines, but the Lions need more play-makers. Golden Tate will be carrying a really heavy load without Calvin Johnson.
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Best Free Agency: Chicago Bears
Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan together will make Chicago’s run defense dramatically better. Bobby Massie re-invigorates the entire right side of their line.
Worst Free Agency: Detroit Lions
Marvin Jones is a fine receiver, but there’s a reason why he was playing behind A.J. Green in Cincinnati. Detroit lost their top weapon and failed to find an adequate replacement.
Best NFL Draft: Chicago Bears
Draft experts are raving about Chicago’s draft haul almost as much as Jacksonville’s, and they haven’t lost anybody to injury yet.
Worst NFL Draft: Detroit Lions
Sure, the offensive line is improved and A’Shawn Robinson is a Week 1 starter. Detroit needed a home run to really catch up in the NFC North, and this ain’t it.
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