I will be posting a big piece I will be doing for the company I write for closer to the season. Thought I would just write this up quick
Detroit Lions-
Dare I say it should be their division to lose. They have the best young players in my opinion plus a top 5 offensive line. Their QB is solid but needs to be more consistent on the road. 90% of his TD passes were at home. He has WR Amon Ra St. Brown who is special. RB David Montgomery should be solid as well but the kid they drafted Gibbs could be a huge difference-maker on 3rd down. Their offense should get a boost when promising WR Jameson Wiliams comes back from a silly suspension. Defensively DE Hutchinson should cause havoc and they have some more young promising players in that front 7. They were noticeably better at the end of last season. Lions also revamped most of the secondary in free agency. I think they have the fewest question marks. 10-7 but would not shock me if they won 12
Minnesota Vikings-
Overachieved last season, winning a lot of close games late. Most of those teams were below .500 and a true contender would have buried some of those teams. Vikings offense will be solid but will struggle against the really good defenses because their interior line is undersized against big fronts and the QB has the mobility of a mannequin. Saying that Cousins is solid but needs time and weapons and he has a ton of those. Don't worry about them losing Cook and Thielen. They will be fine. Defensively they just flat-out stunk last season. No consistent pass rush and a lot of changing parts. They will be banking on a slew of young guys to improve and to stay on the field. They didn't have the services of their top 2 secondary draft picks from 2022 as they were injured. They also bring in a new defensive coordinator to get them in place and hopefully to make some adjustments. It's going to be a struggling unit regardless because their line will get pushed around.. Their offense will keep them in most games. 9-8 but I would not be shocked if they won 11 or 5 to be honest
Green Bay Packers
Well the Rodgers ERA is over, maybe now they will be easier to stomach. Most of you know I can't stand Rodgers and there is a piece of me that is pulling for Love despite my dismay for the Pack in general just to stick it to Rodgers. Plus, after all he is human, and to root for someone's demise just because of the uniform color seems a bit off. Maybe he can be good enough to keep them mediocre for a long time. Anyways let's get back on track. Many are placing the Packers in the basement but not so fast. They do have young talented players and have probably the best defense in the North. They need the two rookies from Alabama, LB Quay Walker and DT Devonte Wyatt to step up as they show a lot of promise. They just need to keep their heads out of their asses as they are a bit immature at times especially Walker who was ejected twice for pushing coaching/training personnel. They have the best corner in Alexander and he's top 5 in the NFL. I would worry about how much Kenny Clark has in the tank. According to insiders who I listen to, they say Clark lost a step. All in all thought if they stay healthy they are good even though DC Joe Berry gets a ton of flak. Offensively is where the Packers will struggle the most. Don't know exactly what they have in Love and a lot of young hands who catch the ball which will lead to inconsistency. Don't be surprised if WR Romeo Doubs outshines Christian Watson. 7-10 but they wouldn't shock me to win 12 or 5 especially if they get good offensive line and QB play
Chicago Bears
Running out of time but they should be improved as they improved pretty much in all areas on offense and defense. Will their additions just slightly improve the team or can they take the next jump? The goal for them is to see if QB Justin Fields "has it" It's a prove-it year for him, no more excuses. If he turns into a solid passer then the Bears can really build this team up because he is a very exciting player who can score from anywhere on the field with his legs. I will add that I love the addition of D'Onta Foreman at running back. He is a solid runner who can move piles and has a nose for the goal line. He's everything you want in a football player. Defensively they should be improved especially at linebacker but the guys they brought in were from good units who had skill around them. Will they shine in Chicago? The Bear defense lacks that star power. I have the Bears at 6-11 but they could finish over .500 if they improve dramatically throwing the ball. They have some weapons there.
Detroit Lions-
Dare I say it should be their division to lose. They have the best young players in my opinion plus a top 5 offensive line. Their QB is solid but needs to be more consistent on the road. 90% of his TD passes were at home. He has WR Amon Ra St. Brown who is special. RB David Montgomery should be solid as well but the kid they drafted Gibbs could be a huge difference-maker on 3rd down. Their offense should get a boost when promising WR Jameson Wiliams comes back from a silly suspension. Defensively DE Hutchinson should cause havoc and they have some more young promising players in that front 7. They were noticeably better at the end of last season. Lions also revamped most of the secondary in free agency. I think they have the fewest question marks. 10-7 but would not shock me if they won 12
Minnesota Vikings-
Overachieved last season, winning a lot of close games late. Most of those teams were below .500 and a true contender would have buried some of those teams. Vikings offense will be solid but will struggle against the really good defenses because their interior line is undersized against big fronts and the QB has the mobility of a mannequin. Saying that Cousins is solid but needs time and weapons and he has a ton of those. Don't worry about them losing Cook and Thielen. They will be fine. Defensively they just flat-out stunk last season. No consistent pass rush and a lot of changing parts. They will be banking on a slew of young guys to improve and to stay on the field. They didn't have the services of their top 2 secondary draft picks from 2022 as they were injured. They also bring in a new defensive coordinator to get them in place and hopefully to make some adjustments. It's going to be a struggling unit regardless because their line will get pushed around.. Their offense will keep them in most games. 9-8 but I would not be shocked if they won 11 or 5 to be honest
Green Bay Packers
Well the Rodgers ERA is over, maybe now they will be easier to stomach. Most of you know I can't stand Rodgers and there is a piece of me that is pulling for Love despite my dismay for the Pack in general just to stick it to Rodgers. Plus, after all he is human, and to root for someone's demise just because of the uniform color seems a bit off. Maybe he can be good enough to keep them mediocre for a long time. Anyways let's get back on track. Many are placing the Packers in the basement but not so fast. They do have young talented players and have probably the best defense in the North. They need the two rookies from Alabama, LB Quay Walker and DT Devonte Wyatt to step up as they show a lot of promise. They just need to keep their heads out of their asses as they are a bit immature at times especially Walker who was ejected twice for pushing coaching/training personnel. They have the best corner in Alexander and he's top 5 in the NFL. I would worry about how much Kenny Clark has in the tank. According to insiders who I listen to, they say Clark lost a step. All in all thought if they stay healthy they are good even though DC Joe Berry gets a ton of flak. Offensively is where the Packers will struggle the most. Don't know exactly what they have in Love and a lot of young hands who catch the ball which will lead to inconsistency. Don't be surprised if WR Romeo Doubs outshines Christian Watson. 7-10 but they wouldn't shock me to win 12 or 5 especially if they get good offensive line and QB play
Chicago Bears
Running out of time but they should be improved as they improved pretty much in all areas on offense and defense. Will their additions just slightly improve the team or can they take the next jump? The goal for them is to see if QB Justin Fields "has it" It's a prove-it year for him, no more excuses. If he turns into a solid passer then the Bears can really build this team up because he is a very exciting player who can score from anywhere on the field with his legs. I will add that I love the addition of D'Onta Foreman at running back. He is a solid runner who can move piles and has a nose for the goal line. He's everything you want in a football player. Defensively they should be improved especially at linebacker but the guys they brought in were from good units who had skill around them. Will they shine in Chicago? The Bear defense lacks that star power. I have the Bears at 6-11 but they could finish over .500 if they improve dramatically throwing the ball. They have some weapons there.
