NFC North Roundtable: Division is wide open with three playoff teams and one stands out above the rest
The NFC North is going to be the division that everyone keeps an eye on for multiple reasons, with the main one being that there are three returning playoff teams, and all four got better going into the 2025 season. Across the board, the biggest question is how the division will shake out? Can the […]
The NFC North is going to be the division that everyone keeps an eye on for multiple reasons, with the main one being that there are three returning playoff teams, and all four got better going into the 2025 season.
Across the board, the biggest question is how the division will shake out? Can the Detroit Lions win three in a row? Will the Minnesota Vikings or Green Bay Packers come up and get home-field advantage for the first time in a few years? Is this the year that the Chicago Bears finally break out?
Our NFC North beat writers have made their preditions going into the 2025 season with three different teams getting selections.
Minnesota Vikings beat writer Tyler Forness: Minnesota Vikings
When you look at all four teams in the division, they all have a large amount of talent on them. Taking a look at all four teams in the division, there isn't a team with a better balance of weapons and trenches, both groups which could easily be argued that the Vikings are best in the division.
When you look at the weapons, the duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is far and away the best, and T.J. Hockenson is the best and most well-rounded tight end in the division. The offensive line woes that have haunted the Vikings for years are finally going to be behind them after completely fixing the unit this offseason with an entirely new interior, and the defensive front is explosive and can generate pressure with the best of them.
The only major question for the Vikings is at quarterback, since J.J. McCarthy is set to play his first regular season snaps. Luckily for him, the roster is relatively QB-proof, so average quarterback play can elevate the Vikings to another level. Pair that with a favorable end of season schedule, with just one game in a cold weather environment after Thanksgiving against the New York Giants in week 16.
The other teams in the division have significantly more questions, including the Detroit Lions. They lost both coordinators and they lost their most valuable player in Frank Ragnow. It's certainly possible with their infrastructure that they will continue this sucess, but proof of concept is needed before I think they can repeat for a third-consecutive year, especially with Ben Johnson receiving nearly all the credit for the success of the offense.
Green Bay Packers beat writer Wendell Ferreira: Minnesota Vikings
This is a tough one because the Detroit Lions lost both coordinators, so I'm projecting some level of regression. J.J. McCarthy may also bring some level of regression to the Vikings offense, which would put the Packers in a great position to win the NFC North for the first time since 2021. However, I still think the Vikings have too good of an environment for a decent quarterback to fail. So, unless McCarthy is a disaster, head coach Kevin O'Connell will build a strong offense around him. The offensive line is good, especially with Christian Darrisaw back from injury, the weaponry is great, and the defense has proven to be sustainable under Brian Flores. Any team can win the division or be in fourth place, but the Vikings are probably the team with the highest ceiling, despite a major question mark at quarterback. The Packers are the team with the least amount of variables, though, so you can certainly make a strong case for them as well.
Chicago Bears beat writer Kole Noble: Green Bay Packers
At some point Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love have to prove they can retake the NFC North AND be a legit threat in the playoffs or some tough decisions will have to be made. Green Bay seemingly has the fewest question marks now that Jordan Love is fully healthy and Jeff Hafley has a full year under his belt to iron out the defensive scheme. There are just too many unknowns for Detroit, Chicago, and Minnesota on offense to justify putting them above each other. No one knows how this division will truly look until we see those three teams in action, which gives the Packers a slight edge going into the year.
Detroit Lions beat writer Mike Payton: Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions win a third straight division title. Everyone will want to tell that they couldn’t possibly do that because they lost their coordinators, but they still have the best roster in the division, and that defense, which was second defensive DVOA even without Aidan Hutchinson, only got better this offseason. The schedule also really plays to their favor in the second half of the year when they have the most rest and only have to play in cold weather once.
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