Another division that looks to be an open race in 2015 is the NFC North, the first NFC division to be previewed in my look around the league.
Chicago Bears
2014: finished regular season 5-11 (4th in division)
Offence: fixing the 21st ranked offence, led by much maligned quarterback Jay Cutler, must be a priority this season. This was addressed with the drafting of wider receiver Kevin White in the first round to offset the loss of Brandon Marshall. White is unfortunately injured and may miss the entire season, making Eddie Royal the likely starter opposite Alshon Jeffery. The role of tight end Martellus Bennett will also be more critical. The Bears have a good running game with Matt Forte, backed up by Jeremy Langford.
Defence: the big weakness in Chi town, which is where the new defensive minded head coach John Fox comes into play. Ranked 2nd last in points conceded and 3rd last in yards conceded, Fox has the challenge of his career on his hands.
Fantasy player to watch: Forte will be a feature again in the offence, particularity if the passing game is not up to scratch. A great option as a late first round or early second round pick, especially in PPR leagues.
Key to their success/failure: Cutler must be on his last chance in Chicago.
Predicted regular season finish: 6-10
Detroit Lions
2014 : finished regular season 11-5 (2nd in division), lost Wildcard playoff to the Dallas Cowboys 24-20
Offence: for a team that has lots of great pieces on offence, was ranked surprisingly low in 2014. Quartenback Matthew Stafford’s production was down 400 yards and 7 touchdowns from 2013 to 2014. Part of this was due to the loss of Calvin Johnson through injury for four games. This forced Seattle Super Bowl champion Golden Tate into the number one role. Tate delivered a career year in terms of yardage but did struggle to get into the end zone. The running game based around Joique Bell and rookie Ameer Abdullah will be hard to stop and a lot is expected from second year tight end Eric Ebron.
Defence: the defence carried this team into the playoffs last season and almost carried them to a win in the playoffs. Overall ranking of 2nd in yards conceded and 3rd in points conceded. Was far and away the best defence against the run in 2014, thanks largely to the presence of defensive tackle. Ndamukong Suh. Suh left the Lions in the off season and was reaplced by Haloti Ngata, a veteran from Baltimore.
Fantasy player to watch: Abdullah is going in the first three rounds of most drafts following his breakout preseason performances. It’s a hard ask for a rookie to carry a running game, but if anyone can do it, Abdullah looks to have the good.
Key to their success/failure: can the defence make up for the loss of Suh? That’s the big question in Detroit. If not, then that offence will need to up its production to ensure the Lions make the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Predicted regular season finish: 10-6
Green Bay Packers
2014: finished regular season 12-4 (won division), lost NFC Championship game to the Seattle Seahawks 28-20
Offence: scored the most points in the regular season a year ago when they stayed healthy behind quarterback Aaron Rodgers, arguably the best in the game right now, if not one of the best ever. Was dealt a big blow in the second preseason game when number one wide receiver Jordy Nelson went down with a season ending ACL injury. Crisis creates opportunity. Randall Cobb now has the opportunity to be the man and much will be expected from second year man Devante Adams and rookie Ty Montgomery. Running back Eddie Lacy will also see an expanded role in the running and passing game.
Defence: a good defence, which does enough to get the offence back on the field so it can work its magic. A strong linebacking corp including Juilius Peppers and Clay Matthews are the cornerstones, while second year safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a promising outside back who will be keen to make up for missing a catch off a Seattle onside kick in the NFC championship game that led to the game tying touchdown and overtime.
Fantasy player to watch: Rodgers is the best quarterback in the game and taken in the 1st round in most drafts.
Key to their success/failure: the ability of the offence to cover the loss of Nelson
Predicted regular season finish: 11-5
Minnesota Vikings
2014: finished regular season 7-9 (3rd in division)
Offence: the most exciting up and coming offence in the division, potentially in the NFC. The return of Adrian Peterson after missing pretty much all year in 2014 automatically makes the Vikings a contender. Add to that mix the improving second year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, receivers Charles Johnson and Mike Wallace and tight end Kyle Rudolph and you have an offence that could be really good really quickly.
Defence: just outside the top ten defences in terms of yards and points conceded a year ago, the Vikings need that kind of output again. The addition of first round draft pick Trae Waynes to form a combination at cornerback with Xavier Rhodes will be one to watch as the season unfolds.
Fantasy player to watch: its hard to go past Peterson with a very early pick. Following a year out of the game he will be fit and fresh and with a point to prove after he perceived the NFL and Vikings to be overly harsh on him last year. Bridgewater is also a great late round pick up.
Key to their success/failure: Cordarrelle Paterson is the key to this team. Just joking, wanted to check if you were still reading. If Peterson can go over 2,000 yards again, the Vikings will be in playoff contention all the way, especially as they move to an outdoor stadium this season.
Predicted regular season finish: 9-7
Predicted Divisional Standings
1. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
2. Detroit Lions (10-6)
3. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)
4. Chicago Bears (6-10)
Leave a Reply