The countdown to kickoff is underway. As the NFL season approaches, we’ll be breaking down each division and making wins projections for every team. Today: the NFC North.
1. Chicago Bears
COACH: Marc Trestman
2014 PROJECTION: 10-6
2013 RECORD: 8-8
OVER/UNDER WINS: 8 1/2
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 20-1
First and goal: Jay Cutler is primed for a career year throwing to Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery and TE Martellus Bennett. RB Matt Forte (1,339 rushing yards, 74 receptions, 12 TDs) is poised to repeat. The starting offensive line returns intact. DE Jared Allen adds toughness and experience to the pass rush with Julius Peppers in Green Bay. PK Robbie Gould is Old Reliable.
Fourth and long:Â Shea McClellin is making the transition from DE to Sam linebacker. Ryan Mundy will try to upgrade the safety position. The special teams have been shoddy in training camp and replacing returner Devin Hester won’t be easy. Santonio Holmes? Cutler better provide the right flavor at those ice cream socials.
2. Green Bay Packers
COACH: Mike McCarthy
2014 PROJECTION: 10-6
2013 RECORD: 8-7-1
OVER/UNDER WINS: 10 1/2
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 10-1
First and goal:Â Aaron Rodgers. That is all. RB Eddie Lacy could catch 50 passes and run for 1,400 yards. Randall Cobb is a multifaceted weapon and Jordy Nelson is a No. 1 receiver. OLB Julius Peppers isn’t the pass rusher he used to be at 34, but he is respected enough to make life easier for OLB Clay Matthews. Mike McCarthy likes his return game: DuJuan Harris (KR) and both Cobb and Micah Hyde at PR.
Fourth and long:Â NT B.J. Raji (biceps), gone for the season, will be difficult to replace. Rookie Corey Linsley replaces center JC Tretter (knee) into October. There is talent in the secondary, but 30 TD passes allowed and 12 interceptions won’t do. That’s why FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was the first-round pick.
3. Detroit Lions
COACH: Jim Caldwell
2014 PROJECTION: 7-9
2013 RECORD: 7-9
OVER/UNDER WINS: 8 1/2
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 33-1
First and goal:Â Megatron finally has a quality sidekick in WR Golden Tate. No. 1 pick TE Eric Ebron will be a big, moving target for Matthew Stafford, who should be more disciplined under Jim Caldwell. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi likes the continuity of the offensive line. Reggie Bush and Joique Bell form a nice 1-2 backfield punch. DT Ndamukong Suh enters a contract year. DE Ziggy Ansah is their JPP. DE George Johnson has been a summer revelation.
Fourth and long:Â CB Darius Slay needs to step up in a suspect secondary. Immature, overweight DT Nick Fairley was demoted to the second team in preseason. Life after PK Jason Hanson won’t be easy.
4. Minnesota Vikings
COACH: Mike Zimmer
2014 PROJECTION: 6-10
2013 RECORD: 5-10-1
OVER/UNDER WINS: 6
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 75-1
First and goal:Â There is light at the end of Adrien Peterson’s tunnel, and the sooner the Teddy Bridgewater Era begins, the better. Bridgewater to Cordarrelle Patterson, get used to it. Slimmed-down TE Kyle Rudolph will be a red zone menace. Patterson (KR) and Marcus Sherels (PR) are dynamic. No. 1 pick OLB Anthony Barr should help DE Everson Griffen rush the passer. DE Jared Allen is gone, but Mike Zimmer is counting on DTs Sharrif Floyd and Linval Joseph. Follow the ball, you’ll find LB Chad Greenway. C John Sullivan anchors an offensive line that returns intact. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner is in a league of his own.
Fourth and long: The safety spot opposite Harrison Smith and MLB weren’t determined until the end of the summer. PK Blair Walsh must adapt to kicking outdoors in TCF Bank Stadium.