The NFC North saw a lot of injuries as both Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers sat out a good part of 2013. The division crown was won with an 8-7-1 record. In 2014 I expect much more from this division. We take a look at which team is poised to take the ‘Lambeau Leap’ to the top of the division.
2014 NFC North Predictions
GREEN BAY PACKERS: 2013 Season Record (8-7-1)
The Packers were well on their way to be one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl until Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone. I would venture that there is not a single player that means more to their team than Rodgers.
Rodgers has a lot of talent to work with at the WR position. Randall Cobb is a college track star with great hands that can leave cornerbacks in the dust as Rodgers airs the ball out. Jordy Nelson is a superb talent that followed up a 15 TD performance in 2011, with 1,314 yards receiving last season. In addition, undrafted Jarrett Boykin was a very pleasant surprise breakout player amassing 681 yards.
Already having Clay Matthews, the Packers added DE Julius Peppers from the Chicago Bears. Peppers is definitely on the decline, but is still a force to be reckoned with. And to take that away from another team within your own division synergistically improves your chances of winning the title.
The rushing attack is one of the best in the league. Eddie Lacy is as pure a runner as I have ever seen. He is right out of the Marshawn Lynch mould. He is a downhill runner that is not afraid to try and go through you, but can break tackles with his elusive moves. He was dominant at times in his rookie season collecting 1,178 yards rushing and 11 TDs, all without a quality QB for half the season. Expect Lacy to challenge as the top RB in the entire NFL in 2014.
This year, if Rodgers can stay healthy, the Packers will be one of the favorites to be back in the Super Bowl. Wisconsin “cheese-heads” will have a lot to cheer about en-route to the playoffs.
2014 Projection (11-5)
CHICAGO BEARS: 2013 Season Record (8-8)
Historically the Bears have always thrived on defense. The stars have always been on that side of the ball. From the likes of Butkus, Ditka, Halas, Urlacher, and Singletary just to name a few. That shift has taken a giant turn, as the Bears had one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2013. They allowed a whopping 29.9 points-per-game as they struggled all year with the absence of Brian Urlacher, along with numerous other injuries.
They will miss Julius Peppers who was let go to the Green Bay Packers this offseason. The additions of DEs LaMarr Houston and Jared Allen will help in fixing some of those holes. Houston is a 300-pound beast that is a very good defensive end and will be a vital component. Jared Allen is a five-time Pro Bowl DE who has recorded double-digit sacks in eight of his ten seasons. Also, having Lance Briggs healthy for a full season as well is a big boost, even though he will be turning 34 come November.
The Bears offence was one of the most explosive in the NFL last season, all while missing their starting QB for multiple games. Jay Cutler’s completion percentage, yards per attempt, and touchdown rate all improved under head coach Marc Trestman. He has the best receiver duo in the league in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery led the team in receiving with 1,421 yards. He is only 24 years old and will continue to get even better.
They have a giant TE in Martellus Bennett who adds another dynamic to the Bears passing game. And they have one of the best running backs in the league in Matt Forte. Everyone raves about the darling backs Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy, Marshawn Lynch, and Jamaal Charles. Yet, few people realize that Forte was second in the league in rushing in 2013, behind only McCoy.
Look for Chicago to be a contender in 2014, but likely grab a wild card spot as the defense will prevent them from besting the Packers for the division title.
2014 Projection (10-6)
DETROIT LIONS: 2013 Season Record (6-10)
Detroit Lions fans must feel like they are in the movie “Groundhog Day.” Every year for the last five seasons it seems that they are ready to make the turn and make a playoff run. They build in the draft and acquire some key pieces that make us feel as though this is the year. Since Jim Schwartz’s first season in 2009 the Lions have looked decent, on paper anyway.
They have one of the greatest receivers that have ever played the game in Calvin Johnson. Matthew Stafford is a gunslinger. He has compiled three straight seasons over 4,650 yards passing. Reggie Bush is an exciting and explosive back that can break a play at any moment. Joique Bell is poised to be a breakout player at the RB position in case Bush falters. This season they have acquired WR Golden Tate from Seattle to take away double coverage from Johnson and open up the field for Stafford. In the draft they selected athletically gifted TE Eric Ebron out of North Carolina, and he has the potential to be an elite TE for years to come.
Reality is the Lions always stumble. They have a couple solid players on the defensive side of the ball including Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, but also have some glaring needs, especially in the secondary. A new coaching regime brings about new hope in Detroit, but Jim Caldwell also brings his own question marks as well.
I expect the Lions to make some changes for the better, but the new staff may have to tear down a few things first and make a bigger push come 2015, as the two teams above them in the division are definitely a step ahead for now. Lions fans will be waking up asking “didn’t we do this yesterday?”
2014 Projection (7-9)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS: 2013 Season Record (5-10-1)
Adrian Peterson is the focal point of the Vikings offence, and rightfully so. The six-time Pro Bowler Peterson won the MVP in 2012 after a remarkable 2,097 yard campaign, the second most ever for a running back in a single season. He wont be able to carry the team by himself, however, as the QB position is a nightmare. They struggled through three seasons with Ponder at the helm in some degree. Matt Cassel is a slight upgrade, but not by much. What they will need to be successful will be for Teddy Bridgewater to emerge as the QB of the future. Bridgewater showed signs of stardom in Louisville and was originally picked to be a top three pick in the draft, before sliding all the way to the 32nd pick to the Vikings. Many scouts saw a lot of weaknesses that caused the slide, but he still has a lot of potential and I believe the Vikings will reap the reward over time. Just not right away in 2014.
They have one of the most gifted, exciting young prospects in Cordarrelle Patterson. Not only will he be a prominent part of the passing game, he is a dynamic kick return specialist as well. He showed signs of brilliance last season, including a 141-yard performance against Baltimore. They also get Kyle Rudolph back for a full season, after missing half the year to injury last season.
The Vikings are in rebuild mode right now though, grooming a new QB. They also, essentially, play 16 road games this season while they build a new stadium. All the Vikings games will be played out of the University of Minnesota. If you recall, the Chicago Bears did the same thing back in 2002, and directly went from a 13-3 campaign to a 4-12 outing. Also, the New Orleans Saints struggled after similar events pertaining to Hurricane Katrina. They open the season against the Rams, Patriots, Saints, Falcons, Packers and Lions. Expect a long season in Minnesota with many growing pains.
2014 Projection (4-12)
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