The NFC North enters the upcoming season as one of the most competitive divisions in the league, with all four teams harboring playoff ambitions.
The Chicago Bears enter as the defending division champions, but face heavy pressure from a reloaded division. Detroit aims to bounce back behind a high-powered offense, Green Bay looks to navigate early injury concerns, and Minnesota enters with a new-look roster.
With Week 1 just around the corner, the First Things First crew predicted the NFC North standings and how the season would unfold for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings.
Both panelists agreed on the division winner, signaling a strong consensus at the top of the division.
Nick Wright’s NFC North Prediction
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Nick Wright selected the Detroit Lions to win the division, projecting the Chicago Bears in second with 10 wins, the Green Bay Packers in third at 9-8, and the Minnesota Vikings fourth at 8-9.
Wright picked Detroit to capture the division title, led by a dynamic offense.
“I got the Lions winning the division. I think they’ll have an awesome offense,” Wright said. “I think they’re going to struggle to stop the pass. I think they’re going to lose to bad quarterbacks when they play them, but I think their offense is going to be really good.”
Wright picked Chicago to finish second as a playoff wild card team.
“A little bit of a step back, 10 wins, the Chicago Bears,” Wright said.
Wright projected Green Bay to finish third and miss the postseason, pointing to early availability issues and receiver production.
“I don’t think they can overcome no Micah Parsons early,” Wright said. “There’s two teams that it’s been three years since they’ve had a 1,000-yard receiver: the Chiefs … and the Packers, who everyone’s like, man, they’ve got four No. 1s. They’ve got an embarrassment of riches at receiver. I think they win nine games.”
Wright placed Minnesota at the bottom of the division and questioned their late-season trajectory with Kyler Murray under center.
“I have the Minnesota Vikings going 8-9, but the inevitable Kyler Murray December collapse I think will follow him from the south to the north,” Wright said. “I’m stunned by the amount of hype surrounding this team.”
Chris Broussard’s NFC North Prediction
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Chris Broussard agreed with Wright on the overall division order, picking the Detroit Lions to take first place, followed by the Chicago Bears in second, the Green Bay Packers in third, and the Minnesota Vikings in fourth. Broussard voiced confidence in Detroit’s leadership and overall roster depth.
“Bounce-back year for the Lions. I think they’re ready. In Dan Campbell, I trust,” Broussard said. “I think he’s a very good coach, a great coach, and I think that defense is going to bounce back from last year, and obviously the offense has weapons galore.”
Broussard placed Chicago second, anticipating growth from their young quarterback.
“I think the offense is gonna cook, and I think Caleb Williams is going to improve,” Broussard said. “Not just be great in the last four minutes, but be really good throughout the game. I think they’ll be good enough to get in the playoffs.”
Broussard selected Green Bay to finish third, also citing the uncertainties surrounding Parsons leading into the start of the year.
“Micah targeted Week 6. Targeting doesn’t mean he’ll be back for week six. And then how long will it take him to get going,” Broussard said. “It’s gonna be a rough year. I hate to say it. They were my Super Bowl pick last year to get the NFC, so that’s a tough one.”
Broussard rounded out the standings with Minnesota in fourth place, expressing skepticism about their quarterback situation relative to the division.
“Kyler’s the fourth-best quarterback in that division,” Broussard said. “Even if he bounces back, he’s the fourth-best quarterback in that division.”
