Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell looks on before the game against the New York Jets at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
When the 2024 NFL regular season kicks off, the Detroit Lions will be the favorites to win the NFC North. They earned that reality in 2023 and are expected to be among the best teams across the entire sport this season. Who checks in behind them is less straightforward than you may expect.
As things stand coming into the year, Detroit is seen as the cream of the crop when it comes to the NFC North. That’s a fair assessment, and with the vast majority of their roster returning for another trip toward the Super Bowl, they’ll be well positioned. The way the rest of the NFC North shakes out remains to be seen, but there is plenty of reason to believe something shocking could happen.
Second place is generally expected to be occupied by the Green Bay Packers. They just paid Jordan Love a boatload of money to be their quarterback of the future, and last season, they took the San Francisco 49ers to the brink. If the second half version of Love returns, that should be the expected reality. Things could get ugly if he goes through something of a sophomore slump as a starter.
The Packers still don’t have a juggernaut on defense, and plenty is to be desired from their skill position players. Josh Jacobs is a big come-up, but how much he is better than a healthy Aaron Jones remains to be seen. Again, if things go right, they’ll finish second. If they don’t, then the fall may be ugly.
Chicago is bringing a new attack to the North, with Caleb Williams having both D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze at his disposal. How quickly he acclimates and to what level his personality fits remains to be seen. There could be a genuine humbling process for the signal caller, which may put the Bears as deep as last in the position.
This Chicago contingent isn’t as rudderless as they were, with no skill position, talent, or Justin Fields. They also might be less equipped than the peak of Fields if Williams can’t find a way to lead by example and production. Volatility should be seen as the Bears defining word in the year ahead.
Minnesota is coming off an ugly and injury-marred season, but they aren’t close to the same team. The only way they are any good is if Sam Darnold succeeds in an ideal situation. If he doesn’t, J.J. McCarthy will be tasked with proving it sooner rather than later. There’s reason to believe it works, but the bottom falling out would also be unfortunate.
Kevin O’Connell needs the Vikings to look competent in the season ahead. That could happen while finishing last in the division. It could also occur by shocking the world and pushing a pair of foes behind them. No team has a greater range of outcomes in 2024 than Minnesota simply because of the immeasurable unknowns.
Beyond the top spot, the NFC North should be considered wide-open. It remains to be seen who will step through that door.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.