1. Green Bay Packers: Since Matt LaFleur took the head coaching job, they’ve won 13 games each year, clinched the division, and had home-field advantage in the NFC Playoffs. All that might sound good, but nothing else has come from that. They’re a great regular season team, but seem to crumble when it matters most which is January. For the second season in a row and fourth time in his career, Aaron Rodgers was named league MVP, and rightfully so. He’s played outstanding football these last few seasons. One thing I still have an issue trusting with them is their defense. As I said last year, they play it in spurts which is a cause for concern. The 2022 campaign will have a different feel.
2. Minnesota Vikings: When all goes wrong for them, it’s easy to point the finger at Kirk Cousins. Everything falls on the quarterback, right? I’m going to give Kirk a pass because he did all he could to keep the Minnesota Vikings in games last season. Kirk had a great year throwing 33 touchdown passes to only seven interceptions. People fail to realize that he only plays on one side of the ball and his defense let him down many times last year. The Vikings relieved Mike Zimmer of his coaching duties and hired Rams offensive coordinator, Kevin O’Connell as their new head coach. The Vikings were in every game they played last year. Some went their way, others didn’t. They will make one more run with Cousins under center.
3. Chicago Bears: They fired people named Matt and Ryan only to hire two new people named Matt and Ryan. Bears fans got their wish last year and Matt Nagy was fired. This off-season, they hired former Colts defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus as their next head coach. They also hired Ryan Poles as their new General Manager. Whenever the Bears appear to have a defensive-minded guy as their head coach, they seem to do well. Another move the Bears made this off-season was trading Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers. Entering 2022, Justin Fields will be the full-time starting quarterback. I just hope he’ll be used the right way. That was the problem in 2021. Nagy tried to turn him into a pocket quarterback and that’s not him. He’s mobile and likes to extend plays. I can’t wait to see how this defense will be under Eberflus’ watch.
4. Detroit Lions: Although they struggled in 2021, they were tough and that’s a reflection of the coach. Dan Campbell is a former player and knows the ups and down of how rough a season in the NFL can be. There was a point when he was even crying during a press conference. Though they might struggle, those are the coaches you would run through a brick wall for. As the season ended last year, the Lions’ offense was built around Amon-Ra St. Brown. During the draft, they addressed two needs. One was getting a defensive player that could come in and have an immediate impact. Aidan Hutchinson will do just that. The other was getting another receiver. Detroit has struggled to replace Calvin Johnson since he retired. They would trade up to get Jameson Williams from Alabama.
2022 Predictions
1. Packers (12-5)
2. Vikings (8-9)
3. Bears (5-12)
4. Lions (4-13)
The Green Bay Packers will be kings of the NFC North once again. As I said, they will have a different feel to their team in 2022. Davante Adams has been traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. I expect the Green Bay offense to be built more around Aaron Jones. Can the defense take the next step? They played relatively well a year ago. I’m just happy the Aaron Rodgers drama is dealt with and it’s not a distraction as a new season begins. The only team I see challenging them is Minnesota.
