The landscape in the NFC North has changed dramatically over the course of a few months. Recognizing there’s still a ways to go until the 2021 season, here are our early predictions.
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The 2020 season was truly one of a kind. On top of all the Covid related changes like empty stadiums or no preseason, it was also the last 16-game season in the NFL.
However in the NFC North, things felt very familiar. The Packers won the division with ease, the Vikings and Bears were perfectly mediocre with the latter sneaking into the playoffs and losing immediately, and the Lions won 5 games.
That being said, there have been some significant developments in the offseason, so let’s dive straight into the predictions for 2021.
NFC North Predictions 2021
#1. Green Bay Packers
The Aaron Rodgers drama has completely taken over Green Bay. The reigning NFL MVP wants out, and the conflict between him and the front office looks more and more spiteful with each day that passes.
Having Green Bay in first place is highly contingent on Rodgers being under center in 2021, rather than the inexperienced Jordan Love. Though this looks unlikely now, there’s still a good 2 months to go before the season opener.
Betting odds pretty much reflect this assumption, with nearly everyone having the Packers as the favorites. And when you think about it, the offseason drama has overshadowed a largely successful 2020 campaign.
The Pack were 1 game away from the Super Bowl and finished with a 13-3 record. If Matt LaFleur didn’t opt to kick that field goal in the NFC Championship game, who knows what the narrative surrounding Green Bay would be right now?
Aside from Rodgers, the team has a fair bit of talent on both sides of the ball, and a good majority of their starters are returning. They managed to re-sign Aaron Jones and if the defense holds their own, this could be a playoff team without their MVP.
Betting Odds (to win division): FanDuel (-125), FoxBet (-161), William Hill (-130)
Strength of Schedule: 145.5; 14th hardest in the league
#2. Minnesota Vikings
If Rodgers isn’t playing for the Packers in 2021, the Vikings have no excuse for letting the division slip. They have a stellar offense, featuring the likes of Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, and Dalvin Cook.
Even Kirk Cousins, who is widely disrespected in the media, brings a lot to the team. If he is consistent in 2021, along with the revamped O-line, Minnesota should feature one of the top offenses in the league.
However last year, the problem was on the other side of the ball. Head coach Mike Zimmer, a defensive minded coach, said it was the “worst defense” he’d ever had in the NFL.
Corners were getting torched and the team had trouble dominating the line of scrimmage and putting pressure on QBs. Well, the young corners have had time to settle and veteran Patrick Peterson ought to add some balance to their secondary. On top of this, superstar edge rusher Danielle Hunter is back after an injury-laden 2020.
Zimmer is now the longest tenured head coach without a ring, so he really is on the hot seat. If he can’t lead the Vikings to a great season with all the talent they have, eyebrows will definitely be raised.
Though their 7-9 record in 2020 looks measly, they were super unlucky at the beginning of the season having lost so many games by just a few points. Moreover, the Vikes have made it a habit of making the playoffs every other season, so a big 2021 should be in the works
Betting odds: FanDuel (+250), FoxBet (+280), William Hill (+260)
Strength of schedule: 146; 13th hardest in the league
#3. Chicago Bears
The Bears had an exceptional draft and an offseason that will hopefully lay the foundation for the future. They traded up to select Ohio State QB Justin Fields, who they hope is the answer to their age-old QB woes.
Chicago’s previous starting QB, Mitch Trubisky, is gone now, but they brought in Andy Dalton who is expected to be the week 1 starter. Fields will probably take his time to reach the highest level, and that could be said about the team as whole, too.
It’s looking like they could be a force to reckon with at some point, but realistically should finish 2021 around where they finished 2020: 8-8.
Apart from adding Fields, the team also brought in key pieces like Damien Williams and Desmond Trufant.
Betting odds: FanDuel (+320), FoxBet (+400), William Hill (+375)
Strength of schedule: 149; 6th hardest in the league
#4. Detroit Lions
Although the Lions’ offseason looks like a successful one, there’s no real reason to believe they will eclipse their division rivals this year. They really bolstered their offense, bringing in Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St Brown, as well as a new man at the helm, Dan Campbell.
However, they have clearly downgraded at QB after trading Matt Stafford for Jared Goff. Detroit is a team that could certainly be challenging for the division title in a few years, but at the moment it’s not likely.
In fact, their odds to win the NFC North are among the lowest for any NFL team with their respective divisions.
Betting odds: FanDuel (+2100), FoxBet (+2000), William Hill (+2000)
Strength of schedule: 149; 6th hardest in the league
Also read: Detroit Lions Training Camp 2021: Start Date, Location, Roster Battles, and Fan Policy
