Trav’s 2024 NFC North Division Predictions

August 1, 2024 SportsByTrav

We got the highly contested NFC East division predictions out of the way. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the NFC North. The Detroit Lions became the new rulers of the division after an impressive season last year. The Lions should have appeared in their first Super Bowl in franchise history. They dominated the 49ers in the NFC Championship, but fell apart in the end. Green Bay made the playoffs and went to Dallas and put on a masterpiece in their win over the Cowboys. The Packers are hoping to continue their trend and get farther in the playoffs. Chicago rebuilt their team and it started with them drafting Caleb Williams. Minnesota will have a new signal caller this season after Kirk Cousins signed with the Falcons. Who will finish atop of the NFC North this upcoming season?

The Bears began free agency by upgrading the backfield by signing D’Andre Swift. They prevented one of the league’s best CBs from walking by signing Jaylon Johnson to a massive extension. The team traded Justin Fields to make room for Caleb Williams. Chicago is in win now mode by having a quarterback at the beginning of a rookie deal. They brought in Keenan Allen and drafted Rome Odunze to go along with DJ Moore, who just signed a huge extension. They also brought in one of the more underrated TEs in Gerald Everett. On defense, they signed Kevin Byard and Jonathan Owens to sure up their safety position. Chicago will have two new coordinators as they’re continuing to change the culture. Everything will depend on Caleb Williams this season. Williams is expected to have a C.J. Stroud type of rookie and if he does, the Bears are legit contenders.

Detroit is looking to capitalize on their great season a year ago. They were so close to finally reaching the Super Bowl but fell to the Niners in the end. The Lions continue to push to make that Super Bowl and keeping Brian Johnson as the offensive coordinator was great. Johnson was sought after by many teams in the offseason, but he chose to stay in Detroit. On offense, they began by giving Amon-Ra St. Brown to a huge extension. Jared Goff and Penei Sewell also signed great deals to remain with the team for the foreseeable future. Detroit addressed their secondary which finished 27^th against the pass a season ago. They drafted Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. with their first two picks. They also traded for Carlton Davis III to add that veteran presence in the secondary. I’m expecting the Lions to finish atop the NFC North.

The Green Bay Packers snagged the final playoff spot last season. They defeated the Cowboys on the road before falling to San Francisco in the playoffs. Jordan Love proved he was the franchise QB, and they rewarded him with an extension. Unfortunately, they lost Aaron Jones, but signed Josh Jacobs to bolster the backfield. Jacobs is a much tougher runner and he’s also younger. The Packers already have one of the best young cores of receivers in the league. On defense, the Packers had moments where they couldn’t stop the pass. Green Bay signed one of the best safeties in the league in Xavier McKinney. McKinney is someone that will immediately improve the backend of the defense. Will the Packers have enough to overtake the Lions in the NFC North? Look below to see where I’m picking the Packers to finish in the NFC North.

Minnesota will have a new signal caller at the beginning of the 2024 season. The Vikings signed Sam Darnold and drafted J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan. Minnesota could be going through some growing pains this upcoming year. They did secure Justin Jefferson for the foreseeable future by signing him to an extension. On offense, they did bring in Aaron Jones from Green Bay after he was released. The Vikings are banking on their receiving core along with Jones to alleviate the pressure on Darnold or McCarthy. On defense, they lost one of the best pass rushers in the game in Darnelle Hunter. They added a few pieces on the defensive line, but the absence of Hunter will be felt. The linebacker core got a boost when they signed Jonathan Greenard from the Texans. I’m picking the Vikings to finish at the bottom of the NFC North.