Early Predictions Already?
NFC North
Division Standings | Predicted Final 2026 Record |
|---|---|
1. Chicago Bears | 12-5 |
2. Green Bay Packers | 12-5 |
3. Detroit Lions | 10-7 |
4. Minnesota Vikings | 9-8 |
It just feels right to have the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers duking it out atop the NFC North, doesn't it. These rivals have the look of two of the best teams in the conference (and maybe the entire league), especially if we see Caleb Williams really take off in year two with Ben Johnson. Meanwhile, the Packers have been steady as a rock and, as long as Jordan Love can stay healthy, there's little reason to doubt them — even if Chicago does nab the divisional tiebreaker here.
Last season felt quietly like an anomaly for the Detroit Lions, though I do think that the ascensions of the Bears and Packers will ultimately put them in a spot where they're playing third fiddle to the rest of the NFC North. That should still be enough to fight for a wild card spot, however. That's not quite true of the Minnesota Vikings, though. Kyler Murray's arrival should mark noted improvement, but the roster as a whole remains too flawed to think of them as being among the top teams in this division.
If the Vikings only win 9 games with Murray as QB1, some shit should hit the fan. You don't push off development of your young QB to win the same amount of games you won LAST year with 'historically bad' QB play. It would be a big strategic mistake to pivot like this and not win at least 11 or 12+ games and win a playoff game +. I'm fine with Kyler being QB1 only if the wins come big time, which I've mentioned ad nauseam. The way this team is being setup this year and the probability that injuries will not be as prolific as last season, hell JJM could get you to 10+ wins with only incremental improvement.
Not sure if this is your opinion or you pulled this off the 'Net somewhere. But this would be a disaster for KOC and ownership.
StickierBuns wrote:
If the Vikings only win 9 games with Murray as QB1, some shit should hit the fan. You don't push off development of your young QB to win the same amount of games you won LAST year with 'historically bad' QB play. It would be a big strategic mistake to pivot like this and not win at least 11 or 12+ games and win a playoff game +. I'm fine with Kyler being QB1 only if the wins come big time, which I've mentioned ad nauseam. The way this team is being setup this year and the probability that injuries will not be as prolific as last season, hell JJM could get you to 10+ wins with only incremental improvement.
Not sure if this is your opinion or you pulled this off the 'Net somewhere. But this would be a disaster for KOC and ownership.
Article I saw on the net...I don't believe it either. lol
The article says the roster is “flawed.” I don’t see it that way. I might like an additional edge player and DB for depth, but the roster is pretty strong at starters and key backups.
I’m not going to get too far out on the ledge over some twitter article. Turbo Tark could have the same type of impact as Cunningham did back in 98.
As the man once said, RELAX…
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
Geezus...another one.
NFC NORTH
Detroit Lions: 12–5
I tend not to put too much stock into strength of schedule because so much changes year to year in the NFL. But this stacked roster, which probably needed a reset year after the departures of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, should take advantage of having the easiest schedule, according to data from Sharp Football Analysis.
The Lions will face the Saints, Bills, Jets, Panthers and Cardinals to open the year. Don’t be surprised if they start 4–1. Also, coach Dan Campbell’s team got better on the offensive line with first-round rookie tackle Blake Miller and newcomer center Cade Mays.
Chicago Bears: 11–6*
The Caleb Williams hype is real based on what he showed in the second half of last season. If Williams enters superstar status in his third season, Chicago will be in the mix for the postseason for many years. However, this is still a young team, and it won’t catch opponents by surprise in 2026.
There could be a drop-off while Johnson waits for his inexperienced players to make the most of their opportunities, such as Rome Odunze stepping into the No. 1 wide receiver role after DJ Moore was traded to Buffalo. There could also be added pressure from having to play in seven stand-alone games.
Minnesota Vikings: 9–8*
I have my reservations about the Vikings and their new quarterback because Kyler Murray hasn’t been—well, Kyler Murray—for a few years now and has struggled to stay healthy. Still, I’m willing to make a small bet (No. 7 seed in the NFC) that coach Kevin O’Connell and star receiver Justin Jefferson will help revive the career of the quarterback who will turn 29 in August. We’ll know quickly how good this team can be in 2026, with a home date vs. Green Bay and a road clash at Chicago in the first two games of the season.
As for other concerns, there are a handful of questions along Brian Flores’s defensive front. The Vikings desperately need first-round rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks to be the real deal to help with the departure of Greenard.
Green Bay Packers: 8–9
Packers fans haven’t been happy with me this offseason for my low grades on their draft and offseason. It’s hard to see where this team has improved, and it doesn’t help that Micah Parsons is rehabbing a torn ACL sustained in December. Also, Green Bay didn’t have a first-rounder because of the Parsons trade, waited until No. 52 to make a pick in April and saw a handful of notable departures, including wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks.
Still the best division in football with every team being separated by a sliver or less. How it shakes out will once again likely be determined by...you guessed it, INJURIES. How it shakes out is anybodies guess, but any team could win it
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