1. Minnesota Vikings: The coaching change was needed. Mike Zimmer wasn’t bad, but it was definitely time for him to be relieved of his duties. They hired Kevin O’Connell from the Los Angeles Rams and I saw an immediate difference. Games that the Vikings were able to hold on to and win were games they’d lose under Coach Zimmer. O’Connell came in and worked his magic with this offense. The last two Offensive Player of the Year winners both played under Kevin. Cooper Kupp in 2021 and Justin Jefferson last year. Speaking of Justin, he amazes me and he’s only going to get better as the years go on. For as good as their offense was, I wish I could say the same about their defense. They struggled to get off the field and rush the passer. The Vikings won their first division title since 2017 but fell short in the Wild Card round against the Giants. Two familiar faces won’t be suited up in purple this year and that’s Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook.
2. Detroit Lions: When they got off to a slow start, I’m sure many of you said “it’s the same old Lions”. After seven games, the Lions were 1-6. After the struggling start, they turned things around midseason by winning eight of their next ten games and inserted themselves into the Wild Card picture. Although they failed to qualify for the postseason, they were able to play spoiler and defeat the Green Bay Packers in the final game of the regular season and ended their chances of making the playoffs. Detroit finished with a 9-8 record and got very productive play from Jared Goff who put together the best season of his NFL career. How do they build off what they started last year? That’s what I’m interested to see from the Lions in 2023. They have a young roster, a defense that’s only going to get better and weapons offensively across the board.
3. Green Bay Packers: Their run of division titles came to an end in 2022. After claiming the north each year since 2019, the Packers took a step back. Yes, Aaron Rodgers was back and they paid him his money. The biggest news was them trading away Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders, a move none of us saw coming. Coming into last year, I said for the Packers to succeed, they would have to build this offense around Aaron Jones until the Quarterback was on the same page with his new group of receivers. They made things interesting later in the season, but fell short and missed the playoffs. This year, a new chapter of Packers football is set to begin. A Quarterback not named Brett or Aaron will be under center. It’s officially the Jordan Love chapter in Green Bay.
4. Chicago Bears: Better times are coming for this legendary organization. They won three games in 2022 which clinched them the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft but would eventually trade out of the first pick with the Carolina Panthers. Also in that deal, the Bears were able to acquire D.J. Moore from the Panthers which is a good move because Justin Fields needs a true go-to weapon and they got him one. Once again, put your Quarterback in the best position to succeed by surrounding with weapons. I love what they did with their first pick in drafting Darnell Wright, an Offensive Tackle from Tennessee. He can step in right away and provide a boost for this Bears Offensive Line. They’re in the middle of a rebuild and this is where trusting the process comes in handy.
2023 Predictions
1. Lions (10-7)
2. Vikings (8-9)
3. Packers (7-10)
4. Bears (6-11)
The Lions will win their first NFC North division title in franchise history. They have the most well-rounded roster of the four teams in the division and I see them picking up where they left off in 2022. Jameson Williams will be on the field for Detroit this year and he gives Goff a weapon to stretch the field. Yes, they lost Jamaal Williams, but look for rookie Running Back Jahmyr Gibbs to take over as the next starter. I can’t wait to see what Aidan Hutchinson does next in his second season. The sky is the limit for him and this Lions defense.
