The Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions are locks for the postseason, but the Minnesota Vikings could make it too.
The Packers are one of the best teams in the NFL, and will continue winning the NFC North as long as Aaron Rodgers is at quarterback.
This will be the year, in my opinion, that Green Bay goes back to the Super Bowl and ends up winning it. Rodgers winning the MVP last year solidifies his place as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and Eddie Lacy in the backfield helps them too.
Jordy Nelson had a breakout year last season, but with a torn ACL putting him out for the year, the Packers’ offence might be sluggish out of the gate. The good news is Randall Cobb also had a breakout season and will have a good chance to lead the NFL in receptions, yards or touchdowns.
Cornerback Sam Shields made his first Pro Bowl last year, while Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers continue to be two of the best at their position. B.J. Raji will continue to contribute, and Ha-Ha Clinton Dix should have an improved sophomore season after failing to gain many accolades in his rookie year.
The Detroit Lions went 11-5 last year, but bowed out of the playoffs in controversial fashion in the wild card game. Despite their early exit in the playoffs I think they’ll go 11-5 again and if Calvin Johnson Jr can remain healthy all year they may even finish 12-4.
Matthew Stafford made his first Pro Bowl last year, and Jim Caldwell had a great first season as the Lions’ coach. Rookie Ameer Abdullah will look to put up big numbers on the ground, and Eric Ebron will look to become the player many thought he should have been in his rookie year.
Haloti Ngata continues to be one of the best defensive tackles in the league, and will help fill the hole left by Ndamukong Suh’s departure. Glover Quin and DeAndre Levy both had great seasons last year, and will hope to continue their strong play into 2015. Ezekiel Ansah will look to perform as well.
The Minnesota Vikings went 7-9 last year, but I expect them to turn it around and go 9-7 – maybe even 10-6 – in 2015. Teddy Bridgewater is a young quarterback on the rise, and will finally be the franchise man under center that the Vikings have been searching for for so long.
I dislike Adrian Peterson as a person, but I can’t deny his football talent. With Peterson back on the team, expect the Vikings to rebound and get some wins. Mike Wallace, Cordarelle Patterson and Kyle Rudolph will be the main targets for Bridgewater, with rookie Stefon Diggs hoping to contribute too.
The Chicago Bears finished 2014 with a 5-11 record, and while I expect them to put a few more wins on the board, they will still miss the playoffs. John Fox coming in as coach will definitely give the team a boost, but at the end of the day, Jay Cutler is still their quarterback, so don’t expect anything special.
Matt Forte should make his third Pro Bowl this year if he can put together some strong performances on the ground. Brandon Marshall may have left for the Jets, but Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett will be the two main targets for Cutler, and both will look to put up big numbers this season.
Kyle Fuller had a great rookie season at cornerback, with Jeremiah Ratliff and Jared Allen continuing to play well late into their careers. The defence will need to perform if the offence can’t do much, and if neither unit can be effective, expect another woeful season for the Bears.
The Packers are the favourites to win the division, but the Minnesota Vikings could be a dark horse candidate to make the playoffs as well.
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