NFC North Roundtable: Bold predictions could decide the division's winner come January

The NFC North is filled with very high-end talent, and they pair that talent with excellent coaching staffs. Looking at things from a birds eye view shows us a multitude of interesting storylines.Over the course of the offseason, our beat writers have been looking at their teams from multiple perspectives, including figuring out who could […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at Ford Field.
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

The NFC North is filled with very high-end talent, and they pair that talent with excellent coaching staffs. Looking at things from a birds eye view shows us a multitude of interesting storylines.

Over the course of the offseason, our beat writers have been looking at their teams from multiple perspectives, including figuring out who could take the next step forward in their careers. These bold predictions aren't just plausible, but they could be huge in helping their teams take the next step toward a Super Bowl.

Minnesota Vikings beat writer Tyler Forness: Dallas Turner will have 8+ sacks and 2+ interceptions

After the Vikings gave up a lot to move up for Dallas Turner, his rookie season didn't inspire a lot of confidence among the fanbase. He played just 310 defensive snaps in the regular season and had just 3.0 sacks. However, the context here is key, as Turner didn't have a filled-out enough frame to play either of the roles that Pat Jones II and Jihad Ward did in the NASCAR package, and the Vikings weren't going to sit Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard with their tremendous seasons.

What Turner did in his rookie season was show real growth throughout the year and there was ample evidence of that in multiple areas. With both Jones and Ward not returning, Turner is going to get a significantly higher amount of snaps.

Not only that, but Turner looks significantly stronger going into training camp. Having an improved body with a higher amount of snaps will lead to much more production. With how much Turner will likely be dropping into coverage, seeing production in both areas makes a lot of sense.

Green Bay Packers beat writer Wendell Ferreira: Jordan Love will be a Pro Bowler for the first time

He probably should have been already in 2023 because of the second half of his season. Last year, he had to handle injuries throughout the season, but was close to elite level whenever he was fully healthy. Now, it's his time to put everything together.

Love is more experienced, he fully knows the system and has grown as a leader within the offense. Also, the Packers have been investing much more in that side of the ball, getting two wide receivers and an offensive lineman in the first three rounds. There's a clear path for the offense to be elite—they were fourth in DVOA last year with all the problems, so imagine what it can be under the right circumstances.

If Love doesn't get injured again, and his playing style doesn't lead to it, the Packers franchise player has all it takes to be a top quarterback in the NFC.

Chicago Bears beat writer Kole Noble: Caleb Williams reaches the elusive 4,000-yard mark

I mean this has to happen at some point in Caleb Williams’ career with the Chicago Bears, especially now that Ben Johnson is his head coach and running the offense. We all know no quarterback in Bears’ history has ever eclipsed 4,000 passing yards. In his first season, Williams was 459 yards away from becoming the first to do so, while playing with a hand tied behind his back all season. He’s destined to accomplish this feat and I will make this a bold prediction until it happens.

As for a mini-prediction that coincides with that, I think DJ Moore and Rome Odunze each eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in 2025. With a better play-caller and a more confident quarterback, both top receivers should be able to feast in this offense at the same time. Surprisingly, only one WR duo accomplished this feat in 2024. It was Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and guess who was calling plays.

Detroit Lions beat writer Mike Payton: Jared Goff wins NFL MVP

Is it really that bold to suggest that a guy who received MVP votes last year could turn around and win the award the next year? It is if we’re talking about Goff apparently. Especially since he lost Ben Johnson, and that is supposed to be like the 138th thing that people predict will end Goff’s career as a starter.

At the end of the day, Goff had a lot to do with the offense that the Lions installed, and he had a lot to do with what calls made it onto the field and, of course, the execution of the plays. John Morton, who also had a lot to do with the building and installation of this offense, being the OC instead of Johnson, shouldn’t change too much in theory. 

Related Articles