5 Burning Questions Facing the NFC North
How wide is the gap between hyper-competitive and talented Detroit Lions and the rest of a compelling NFC North Division?
It’s going to be difficult to find a more competitive — or compelling division this season than the NFC North.
The Detroit Lions might be the biggest threat to the San Francisco 49ers on this side of the bracket, but the Green Bay Packers have built a roster capable of growing and developing into the Lions’ biggest threat within the division.
There also aren’t many teams across the league more exciting than the thought of the potential for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.
Here’s a look at five burning questions facing the NFC North this upcoming season:
1. Are the Green Bay Packers’ Cornerbacks Up to Carrying Jeff Hafley’s Defense?
New Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system is predicated on strong play in the secondary, which underscores Green Bay prioritizing signing Xavier McKinney, who was viewed as one of the premier safeties available, in the early stages of free agency.
However, while veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander returns, he is looking to rebound off a 2023 regular season in which opposing quarterbacks posted a nearly flawless 124.1 passer rating when throwing his direction.
Meanwhile, Eric Stokes is penciled in as the starting right cornerback, but has only made 12 appearances the past two seasons, and the starting nickel role could come down to veteran Keisean Nixon and seventh-round rookie Kalen King, who regressed dramatically in his final season at Penn State.
There is significant uncertainty in a position group that is going to need to play a significant role in turning around what had previously been an underachieving defense that was nearly the Packers’ Achilles heel when it came to fighting for a playoff spot last season.
After all, Green Bay is going to be facing Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze twice each season for the foreseeable future.
In an über competitive division that is loaded with über talented wide receivers, in a scheme that places über pressure on its secondary, the Packers’ cornerback room just may wind up being what imposes just how high Green Bay’s ceiling can be in 2024.
2. What Did Dan Campbell Learn from NFC Championship Collapse?
There is no question that Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions arrived a bit ahead of schedule last season, nor is there any doubt that this is one of the most talented, balanced, and explosive rosters in the sport.
However, Campbell sprinted off the field and into the locker room at halftime with a 24-7 lead, merely 30 minutes from playing for the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy, and walked back into the locker room and onto the team bus back to the airport after being defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 34-31.
If Campbell didn’t make the second-half of January’s NFC Championship Game a pillar of his offseason self-scouting, Detroit is in a world of hurt.
Over the final 30 minutes, Campbell’s aggressiveness led Detroit to go for it on fourth down three times, converting just once. The Lions outrushed the 49ers 148 yards to 38 in the first half while adding just 34 yards on the ground in the second half, despite owning a 17-point halftime lead.
Look, I’m acutely aware that part of what makes the Lions on of the more ferocious and difficult teams to beat in this league is that the players and this team embody the hyper-competitive and aggressive mentality of their head coach. But, at some point, cooler heads need to prevail in the biggest moments of the biggest games against the most daunting opponents.
Detroit was also just 3-3 in games against teams that made the playoffs last season.
Campbell may need to figure out how to walk the line from mashing the proverbial gas pedal through the floor and doing what’s necessary to shorten a game and salt out a victory. Detroit’s Super Bowl aspirations just might depend on it.
3. Just How Lofty is Caleb Williams’ Ceiling as a Rookie?
We’re about to find out how much of what we’ve seen from Caleb Williams during a Gangbusters preseason is gobsmackingly real when it comes to the No. 1 overall pick’s ability to take control of a game, and what’s a mirage based on the Chicago Bears’ offense playing against backups on defense.
Williams has made several highlight-reel worthy throws and decisions, including a scramble for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals where if a red No. 15 jersey had been superimposed over the wunderkind Bears starter, you would have actually believed it had been Patrick Mahomes, and a dart thrown on the run to Cole Kmet for a big gain in his preseason debut.
Through two exhibition starts, Williams has completed just 50 percent of his passing attempts but posted 170 yards while adding two rushing attempts for 20 yards and a touchdown.
Chicago has built arguably the softest landing in league history that a quarterback chosen with the No. 1 overall pick has walked into, via a supporting cast that includes D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift, and Khalil Herbert. How prepared Williams is to maximize the weapons around him is the backdrop the Bears’ season is going to play out against.
If Williams’ tantalizing glimpses of elite athleticism, and decision-making, this summer are real, well, the Bears are a legitimate threat to not only make the playoffs but to make a run.
But, if Williams goes through some of the expected growing pains as a rookie quarterback, perhaps curbing enthusiasm until 2025 may be prudent in the Windy City.
4. Are Vikings Talented Enough to Survive Subpar Quarterback Play?
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah seems to be straddling the line between trying to compete in 2024 while building for the future in 2025 and beyond.
The Vikings have plenty of firepower on offense, via arguably the game’s premier wide receiver in Justin Jefferson, an elite complementary option in Jordan Addison, and a defense that’s loaded with front-seven playmakers capable of blitzing until the cows come home and then blitzing some more for defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
However, there is no position more valuable or important to tangible success in sports than an NFL quarterback.
This season, the Vikings’ quarterback — barring some last moment blockbuster trade, will be Sam Darnold.
Yes, the same Sam Darnold chosen No. 3 overall by the Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft, who has completed over 60 percent of his passes just once in a season where he attempted at least 60 passes and has thrown 56 interceptions with only 63 touchdown passes on his resumè.
Will Darnold be effective enough for Jefferson to be a difference-maker? Can Minnesota embody an old-school black-and-blue division mentality where the defense bludgeons opponents to the point that Darnold and the offense can escape with more than a handful of 16-13 victories?
There are so many questions and uncertainties facing the Vikings this season, but none of them matter, nor does the firepower on offense, if Darnold doesn’t suddenly realize his potential as a former top-five pick … in his seventh NFL season.
5. Can This Division Send Three Teams to The NFL Playoffs?
On the NFC side of the ledger, there might not be a more competitive division.
Varyingly effective arguments can be made for all three teams making the playoffs — if everything breaks their way.
The Lions’ talent, depth, physicality and explosiveness with a roster that’s tasted postseason success rightfully make Detroit the favorites to win this division.
However, GM Brian Gutekunst and the Packers have orchestrated a masterclass of how to add young talent with lofty ceilings alongside a young quarterback with lofty potential, and Green Bay also now understands what it takes to win in the playoffs.
Then there’s Chicago, where Williams may have the best pedigree and experienced playmakers around him. And, if the Vikings’ defense is historically dominant under Flores, they are plenty capable of punching above their weight.
So, will the NFC North send three 11-plus win teams to the NFL Playoffs, or are these teams going to wreak so much havoc on one another that it will be a struggle for more than one of them to reach double-digit victories?
It’s going to be fun to find out.