Packers: CBS Sports ranks NFC North third-toughest division

The Packers will have to overcome a strong challenge from the NFC North in 2020.

With three different division champions in as many years, the NFC North features multiple playoff-contending teams. Among them are the defending-champion Green Bay Packers, who will be aiming to become the first team to retain the NFC North title since they achieved that accomplishment in 2014.

Once again this season, the NFC North is expected to be competitive and it’s possible we’ll see a three-team race for the division crown.

Compared to other divisions around the league, the NFC North is one of the strongest.

CBS Sports ranks NFC North third-toughest in league

John Breech of CBS Sports has put together NFL divisional power rankings for the 2020 season. The Packers will be playing in the third-best division in the league this season, according to the rankings.

Breech notes that if you only factored in the top three teams from each division, you could make a case for the NFC North being inside the top two.

Well, that’s not great news for the Packers. While they are a huge reason why the division is as strong as it is, this also means they will face tough competition from their rivals.

The Minnesota Vikings have lost some key players, but it’s hard to fault their offseason additions. They made it to the divisional round last season and will be challengers in the NFC North again this time around.

If Nick Foles can provide some consistent quarterback play, the Chicago Bears can be a bounce-back team in 2020. They failed to retain their division title last season, finishing a disappointing 8-8. But they have the defense to go far, and their offense has a lot of talent including Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and David Montgomery. If Foles can reach his best, the Bears will be a team to watch out for.

The Detroit Lions haven’t consistently been serious challengers in the division. They have the most to do after finishing with one of the worst records in the NFL last season, but getting Matthew Stafford back will help, and they also had arguably the best offseason in the division.

Still, they have work to do.

The Packers are aiming for consecutive NFC North titles but it won’t be easy in a competitive division.