NFC North predictions for 2024: Packers close the gap to Lions

It is finally here. The start of the 2024 NFL season is just days away. Every team is still undefeated, full of hopes and dreams, and ready to show the world what they can do this season. Injuries will happen, things will go wrong, mistakes will be made, and in 18 short weeks, the NFL postseason will be here.

While there are many unknowns between now and then, there is no harm in guessing and predicting how the 2024 season will shake out.

The NFC North is fascinating. Can the Green Bay Packers or new-look Chicago Bears dethrone the Detroit Lions?

Packers close the gap to Lions in 2024 NFC North predictions

4. Minnesota Vikings (5-12)

Minnesota ends up in the cellar of the NFC North predictions after a lackluster offseason and uninspiring preseason. The Vikings made a couple of big splashes, extending Justin Jefferson to a massive deal, trading much of their draft capital to the Chargers for the right to draft JJ McCarthy, and signing Aaron Jones after the Packers released him this spring.

Sam Darnold takes over the reins at quarterback from Kirk Cousins, who moved on to greener pastures in Atlanta. Darnold was likely intended to be a stopgap, veteran mentor, while McCarthy could learn from him. However, McCarthy's season-ending injury complicates that matter.

The Vikings face a tough schedule, highlighted by games against the 49ers, Texans, and Jets (in London), road contests against the Rams and Seahawks, and the Kirk Cousins revenge game versus Atlanta. As good as the Vikings' offensive weapons are when healthy, it is tough to see them emerging out of this daunting schedule with a better record than last season.

3. Chicago Bears (7-10)

A lot has changed in Chicago, and none bigger than the arrival of Caleb Williams, who gets to throw to DJ Moore and new additions Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze.

Perspective and insight can be huge influences in preseason predictions and rankings. Often, teams on Hard Knocks face challenges. Last year's Jets team is a stark reminder that these spotlighted teams can go south quickly. Frankly, while Chicago has an abundance of offensive and defensive weaponry, you cannot write off the fact that Williams likely will have a tough time adjusting to NFL defenses.

That is not inherently a knock against the rookie quarterback. Many rookies and first-year starters struggle initially. Head coach Matt Eberflus has yet to prove himself as a head coach, and while the team may not improve record-wise, Minnesota's decline may put the Bears ahead one spot in the standings this year.

2. Detroit Lions (11-6)

The Lions look to run back a team that was one half away from reaching its first Super Bowl in franchise history. A one-game decline in record is not saying the team will be worse. In fact, the squad itself may actually be better than last year. Detroit brings back much of the 2023 roster while beefing up the offensive and defensive lines in free agency with a heavy focus on the secondary in the draft.

Despite the positives, the Lions have a depreciating value at quarterback. They handed Jared Goff a staggering four-year, $212 million extension this offseason. Again, this is purely opinion on perception, but while Goff has seen a career rejuvenation in Detroit, I do not foresee it being sustainable in the long term. Goff had his best statistical season since 2018 and 2019 when he was still with the Rams, so it is hard to imagine we will see continued growth in that area.

Dan Campbell's aggressive style of coaching has shown cracks at times, as seen in defeats to the Packers, Cowboys, and the playoff loss to San Francisco. The Lions get a rematch against every team that beat them last season except the Baltimore Ravens.

1. Green Bay Packers (12-5)

It is well-documented how the Packers' offseason went. Green Bay went out and got splash free agents in Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney. The team also put a lot of draft capital into the new defensive scheme, including Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Edgerrin Cooper, and Ty'Ron Hopper. Most importantly, the Packers have committed to Jordan Love for four more years, giving him $220 million over that span.

Things are certainly trending toward a revitalized Packers team, and Green Bay boasts some of the best young offensive weapons in the game. If Jeff Hafley's defensive scheme can maximize this loaded roster, the sky is the limit for this team, even if the offense regresses slightly. I don't foresee the latter happening, but it is nice to have that in mind should it occur.

The Packers addressed its kicker issue by signing Brayden Narveson from the Titans. Narveson was released, through little fault of his own, after Tennessee decided to continue on with Nick Folk. Narveson had a phenomenal college career, was perfect on extra points, and was 71/91 with an 18/23 success rate in his senior season.

The Packers should be in prime position to win the NFC North crown in the 2024 season.

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