NFC North Offseason Game Plans
GREEN BAY, Wis. – There was a changing of the guard in the NFC North in 2022. Will it be a lasting change or a blip on the radar?
After racing to three consecutive division titles on the strength of back-to-back-to-back 13-win seasons, the Green Bay Packers crashed to 8-9. It was the Minnesota Vikings who ran away with the division crown on the strength of an incredible 11 victories that were decided by one score.
Will the Packers rebound? Were the Vikings one-year, close-game wonders? Or are the Detroit Lions poised to take over as the division’s big dog after years of being a cuddly kitty?
It was Detroit that kept Green Bay out of the playoffs by rolling into Lambeau Field and shocking the Packers 20-16 in Week 18. Can quarterback Jared Goff and running back Jamaal Williams replicate their big-time seasons? Can a defense that was mostly terrible outside of outclassing the Packers in both matchups take a big step forward?
Sportsbooks don’t think much of any of the NFC North teams, though the Lions have two first-round picks, the Bears have a zillion dollars of cap space, the Vikings have Justin Jefferson and the Packers might have the best quarterback, regardless of whether it’s Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love.
Here’s an offseason overview put together by our team publishers: Bill Huber of Packer Central, John Maakaron of All Lions, Will Ragatz of Inside the Vikings and Gene Chamberlain of Bear Digest.