2022 NFL PREDICTIONS - NFC NORTH

NFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

Only one NFC North team had a record above .500 last year in a division dominated by the Green Bay Packers of late, with the Cheeseheads from Wisconsin capturing three straight division titles.

The big question is, will Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay reign supreme once again without one of the top receivers in the league last season?

Source (Edited Photo, Background Photo): Getty Images, CBS Sports

Here is a breakdown of every team in this division and where we project them to finish.

Minnesota Vikings

Key Additions

Jordan Hicks (linebacker), Za’Darius Smith (linebacker).

Key Subtractions

Xavier Woods (safety), Tyler Conklin (tight end).

Biggest Strength

The Vikings have a great group of receivers to count upon, led by the dynamic and always dependable Justin Jefferson, who may be one of the best in the NFL, who has only been bested by Davante Adams and Deebo Samuel in terms of yards gained per route since entering the league.

When you add to that Adam Thielen, one of the top receivers against the press, along with K.J. Osborn, you have a solid corps of receivers capable of making big plays and keeping drives going.

Biggest Weakness

In his first year as head coach of Minnesota, Kevin O’Connell has a lot of work to do to fix their issues on the interior offensive line.

Ezra Cleveland is a firm-run blocker, but pass blocking is a whole other story, while Garrett Bradbury has averaged 27 pressures and almost seven penalties a season at center.

Projection- 2nd

A new fresh face on the sidelines could be what the Vikings need to turn around a team that has usually been good but not always great, and in a pass-happy league, they have lots of weapons to depend on offensively.

Green Bay Packers

Key Additions

Quay Walker (linebacker), Sammy Watkins (wide receiver).

Key Subtractions

Za’Darius Smith (linebacker), Davante Adams (wide receiver).

Biggest Strength

Green Bay’s secondary flourished last season despite losing Jaire Alexandre for much of the campaign, as Eric Stokes played incredible, allowing only 51% of the passes thrown his way to be caught.

Rasul Douglas returns from a career year and will help give Matt LaFleur three legit corners to go along with arguably the best safety duo in the NFL.

Biggest Weakness

For the first time in god knows how long, there is no clear number one receiver for Aaron Rodgers to throw to following the loss of Davante Adams.

Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins and the company will have a big job to try and shoulder some of that workload.

Projection-1st

Aaron Rodgers is a resourceful QB who we believe will manage to find a solution without Adams, while he should have plenty of opportunities to have the football, given the strength of this team defensively.

Detroit Lions

Key Additions

Aidan Hutchinson (defensive end), D.J. Chark (wide receiver).

Key Subtractions

Trey Flowers (linebacker).

Biggest Strength

The Lions are going with the “build in the trenches” philosophy, and that should be music to the ears of Jared Goff, as this team did well to protect him despite not having Frank Ragnow available in 2021-22.

If Jonah Jackson and Penei Sewell continue growing at the tackle positions, this could be one of the best offensive lines in a few years.

Biggest Weakness

The Lions' secondary could be picked apart again this season as Jeffrey Okudah has failed to live up to expectations, allowing a passer rating of 121.8 over his career, while the rest of the Detroit cover team consists of either underperformers or young and unproven individuals.

Projection- 3rd

The Lions should be sharper on the offensive side of the ball, while Hutchinson seems like he’s NFL ready and could make it easier on their defence, but there are still plenty of unknowns as this team do not appear to be ready to make a giant leap this season.

Chicago Bears

Key Additions

Jaquan Brisker (safety), Byron Pringle (wide receiver).

Key Subtractions

Khalil Mack (linebacker), Allen Robinson (wide receiver).

Biggest Strength

There are not a lot of players on the Bears roster who will strike fear into the opposition, but they possess a solid running game as David Montgomery had 3.8 yards per carry last season, though 2.5 came after contact, while Khalil Herbert averaged 2.8 yards after contact.

If the offensive line can give them some holes, it might be their best chance at finding success on offence this season.

Biggest Weakness

Chicago has plenty of glaring issues that look troubling heading into the season but losing Khalil Mack could make them a relatively easy team to run against as they do not have a lot of strength or even raw potential at that position.

Projection- 4th

Justin Fields will have a tough time finding a decent or reliable receiver to throw to, while the defence could be in for some tiring games as they could be pushed back and exposed given their numerous flaws.