The wait is almost over and the brand new NFL season is upon us!
The team’s 100th season starts Thursday, September 5 when the Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers, live on Sky Sports.
Until then, it is time to check 2019’s contenders.
We are previewing all eight branches, and here it is possible to find our views onto the NFC North and cast your vote on who you believe will triumph below…
Head coach: Matt Nagy
Key man: It is tough to comprehend how the influence for Chicago of Khalil Mack was in his first season with the team in 2018. He picked up 12.5 sacks and six forced fumbles because he stood head and shoulders above his contemporaries.
His performances are even more remarkable once you consider his trade by the Oakland Raiders deprived him of a training camp along with a preseason. Having completed both of these together with the Bears the summerthey could expect even greater things.
Major additions: Most of the Bears‘ key function in revamping their aspect was done past offseason and it paid dividends. This time round, the addition was third-round rookie David Montgomery.
Montgomery forced an 185 tackles on carries over his last two seasons at Iowa State and looks to be the perfect tonic for the loss of Jordan Howard into the Philadelphia Eagles.
Season: Giving up a lead to drop against the Packers in Week One may have had some Bears fans fearing for the worst but they don’t have feared.
A change in employees from the best down saw the defeat at Lambeau Field and a large change was among only four as they stormed topping the NFC North which Chicago endured.
But, they suffered an agonising reduction to the Eagles because kicker Cody Parkey missed a 43-yard kick – known as the’double doink‘ after hitting against the upright and crossbar – in the match’s last moments.
Prospects: keeping top defensive talent, the Bears remain favourites and Getting additional to their offense and look like the team.
Prediction: 1st (13-3)
Head coach: Mike Zimmer
Key man: You Need to turn into Kirk Cousins. Could he accept the Vikings to another level? Minnesota let go of Case Keenum after he led them to a 13-3 season and set in the NFC Championship game, and handed $84 million fully guaranteed because they did not watch Keenum as the man to win it all.
However, regardless of their QB throwing for career bests in touchdowns completions, along with completion percent, Minnesota dropped with Cousins in the helm. Cousins must come up with the goods this year, or their next signal-caller will be searched for by the Vikings sooner rather than later.
Major improvements: The purchase of Irv Smith Jr at the next round of the 2019 NFL Draft gives them a second choice at finish alongside Kyle Rudolph. Compared to Rudolph, he is equipped and lightning fast to gain yards. If he is given the chance with snaps will offer help for Cousins.
First-round rookie center Garrett Bradbury make lanes for Dalvin Cook, who returns after missing the vast majority of 2018, and will protect Cousins, who has been terminated at least 40 times in each of the past two seasons.
Year: Though the Vikings strung using a streak of three victories to carry them following seven months to 4-2-1, Minnesota lacked consistency all season.
They finished with an 8-7-1 record for this particular season and seventh in the conference since they failed to make the playoffs. Together with their postseason fate in their hands on the final day of this seasonthey were beaten from Chicago, and the last wild card spot was snatched by the Eagles.
Prospects: Their crime has one of the groups of skill-position players in the group, but Cousins hasn’t yet proven he can run an attack to be dreaded. They have too many playmakers not to put points on the board.
What the protection accomplishes this year looks to depend on their offense and if the assault is able to limit turnovers, complete drives and dominate possession, it is going to pay dividends in the opposite end of this field.
Prediction: 2nd (10-6)
Head coach: Matt LaFleur
Key man: you cannot look much farther than Aaron Rodgers, the man who holds most of the Packers‘ hopes in his palms. The quarterback struggled to locate his rhythm last year and was not aided by a lack of protection as he threw 25 touchdowns and was sacked 49 times.
35-year-old Rodgers will need his nous to show he could make his connection with trainer LaFleur blossom into something as Rodgers‘ partnership with Mike McCarthy.
With a lot to prove and plenty of weapons at his disposal having claimed he wanted to play to at least another 10 years – Rodgers will bounce back to near his best.
Significant improvements: It was about the defense that summer. Preston Smith free brokers Za’Darius Smith and Adrian Amos come in to start immediately.
First-round picks Rashan Gary (edge rusher) and Darnell Savage Jr (safety) will also play early and frequently. The newest additions will offer a spark.
Last year: The Packers started the season with a’Rodgers unique‘ together with the comeback win over the Bears – overturning a 20-0 deficit to pick up a 24-23 success – but they had been crushed 24-17 in the return match, with all the QB being sacked five days.
A devastating season saw them end 6-9-1. Despite having Rodgers available they suffered a worse campaign before, if they were without their QB for half of it.
Prospects: With a refreshed Rodgers, a new trainer and also a defense Green Bay seem like packing a punch this year. A much better outing than the last few years seems on the cards although they face heavy competition.
Prediction: 3rd (9-7)
Head coach: Matt Patricia
Key man: last year impressed for Detroit but perhaps did not pick up the plaudits across the league that he deserved. He picked up over 1,000 yards including five touchdowns.
Lions lovers have been supplied by the 25-year-old with Calvin minutes, which says that a lot.
Significant additions: Detriot have been missing a pass rush picking up agent Trey Flowers was their purchase. Flowers teams up with head trainer Patricia having been in the New England Patriots.
The 25-year-old had 6.5 sacks, 28 quarterback strikes and 24 pressures final season and led New England in sacks both in 2016 and 2017. Meanwhile, the C.J. Anderson, Danny Amendola and Jesse James are strong veteran offensive pickups, and also first-round pick T.J. Hockenson is viewed as someone who might break into the Travis Kelce/Zach Ertz degree of ends.
Last year: There was hardly any enjoyment to the Detroit Lions as they propped up the NFC North table in 2018, but they didn’t do the double on conference rivals Green Bay – like a mind-blowing 31-0 victory at Lambeau Field in the final week of the year to provide their fans bragging rights heading into the offseason.
They shocked that the Patriots in Week Three, but the Lions were just able to string together back-to-back wins once annually (Weeks Six and Eight) and ended this year 6-10.
Prospects: So when will the Lions reach the degree of a team that could win a playoff game? The previous time they managed it was in 1991, despite eight postseason appearances since then.
It seems unlikely this is going to be the year but offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell that is new might be a help. Kerryon Johnson amazed as a rookie (118-641-3) when given chances, also will be heavily involved this season.
QB Matthew Stafford possess loads of goals this season, and the defense will be much-improved at the next season in charge of Patricia.
Prediction: 4th (8-8)
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