The wait is over and the brand new NFL season is upon us!
The league year begins Thursday, September 5 when the Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers, live on Sky Sports.
Until then, it’s time to assess the contenders of 2019.
We are previewing all eight divisions, and here you can find our perspectives onto the NFC North and cast your vote on who you believe will win below…
Head coach: Matt Nagy
Key man: it’s tough to comprehend how Khalil Mack’s influence for Chicago 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 much more striking once you consider that his late trade by the Oakland Raiders deprived him of a training camp or a preseason. The summer, having completed both of those together with the Bears they can definitely just expect even greater things.
Major additions: Most of the Bears’ work in revamping their aspect was completed last offseason and it paid dividends as the topped NFC North. This time around, the addition was third-round rookie David Montgomery.
Montgomery compelled an astounding 185 tackles on conveys over his last two seasons at Iowa State and seems to be the perfect tonic for the reduction of Jordan Howard into the Philadelphia Eagles.
Last season: Giving a lead up to drop in Week One might have experienced some Bears fans fearing for the worst however they don’t have worried.
A change in employees from the top down saw the defeat Lambeau Field and a significant change was among just four as they stormed topping the NFC North that Chicago suffered.
But, they endured an agonising reduction to the Eagles as kicker Cody Parkey missed a kick – called the’doink’ after hitting against the upright and crossbar – in the final moments of the game.
Prospects: keeping ability that is defensive, the Bears remain favourites and Having added to their crime and look just like the team.
Prediction: 1st (13-3)
Head coach: Mike Zimmer
Key person: You Need to turn to Kirk Cousins. Can he shoot the Vikings? Minnesota let go of Case Keenum later he directed into a 13-3 season and put in the NFC Championship game, also handed $84 million completely guaranteed since they didn’t watch Keenum as the man to win it all.
But with Cousins at the helm, Minnesota fell regardless of their QB. Cousins must come up with the goods this season, or their next signal-caller will be searched for by so the Vikings sooner instead of later.
Major additions: The purchase of Irv Smith Jr in the next round of the 2019 NFL Draft provides them another option at tight finish alongside Kyle Rudolph. He is ready and quick to gain yards. If he’s given the opportunity with snaps early, will offer help for Cousins.
First-round rookie centre Garrett Bradbury will protect Cousins, who has been terminated at least 40 times and create lanes.
Year: Minnesota lacked consistency all season, Even though the Vikings strung together a run of three successes to carry them to 4-2-1 following seven weeks.
They seventh in the conference and ended with an 8-7-1 record since they didn’t make the playoffs. In the home , they were beaten 24-10 Together with their destiny in their hands over the last day of the season from Chicago, and the wild card spot was snatched by the Eagles.
Prospects: Their crime has one of the groups of skill-position players from the league, but Cousins has demonstrated he can conduct an assault to be worried. They have too many playmakers not to place points on the board.
What the shield accomplishes if the attack is able to limit turnovers, full long drives and dominate ownership and this year seems to rely on their crime, it is going to pay dividends.
Prediction: 2nd (10-6)
Head coach: Matt LaFleur
Key man: you cannot look further than Aaron Rodgers, the guy who holds the majority of the Packers’ hopes. A deficiency of protection not struggled to locate his standard rhythm year and aided the quarterback since he threw just 25 touchdowns and was sacked 49 times.
35-year-old Rodgers will require his nous to demonstrate that he will make his relationship with trainer LaFleur blossom into something as fruitful as Rodgers’ early venture with Mike McCarthy.
With loads of weapons at his disposal and a whole lot having asserted he wanted to perform to another 10 years – Rodgers will rebound back to near his best.
Important additions: It was this summer. Free agents Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Adrian Amos come in to start.
First-round chooses Rashan Gary (border rusher) and Darnell Savage Jr (safety) will also play early and frequently. The new additions will offer a spark.
Last season: The Packers began the season with a’Rodgers unique’ with the comeback win over the Bears – overturning a 20-0 deficit to pick up a 24-23 victory – but they were crushed 24-17 in the return match, together with all the QB being sacked five times.
A season saw them complete 6-9-1. Despite having Rodgers accessible for the time, they suffered a worse campaign compared to the year earlier, if they were with their QB for half of it.
Prospects: Using a refreshed Rodgers a new coach and also a defense that is better-looking Green Bay look like packing a punch this season. They face heavy competition but the cards are looked on by a much better outing than the past few years.
Prediction: 3rd (9-7)
Head coach: Matt Patricia
Key man: last year impressed but did not pickup the plaudits throughout the league that he deserved. He picked up over 1,000 yards including five touchdowns.
The 25-year-old has provided Lions enthusiasts.
Big additions: Detriot happen to be lacking a pass rush picking up free agent Trey Flowers was their huge acquisition. Flowers teams up with head trainer Patricia more having been in the New England Patriots.
The 25-year-old had 6.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hits and 24 pressures final year and led New England in sacks both in 2016 and 2017. Meanwhile, the C.J. Anderson, Danny Amendola and Jesse James are powerful veteran offensive pickups, and also first-round pick T.J. Hockenson is seen as someone who might break in the Travis Kelce/Zach Ertz degree of ends.
Last season: There was very little enjoyment to the Detroit Lions as they propped up the NFC North table at 2018, although they didn’t do the double on conference rivals Green Bay – like a mind-blowing 31-0 victory at Lambeau Field in the last week of the season to present their supporters bragging rights going into the offseason.
They shocked that the Patriots in Week Three, but the Lions were just able to chain together back-to-back wins once annually (Weeks Six and Six ) and finished this year 6-10.
Prospects: So when will the Lions reach the degree? The last time they handled it had been despite eight postseason appearances since , in 1991.
It seems unlikely this is going to be the year but offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell that is fresh could be a significant help. Kerryon Johnson impressed as a rookie (118-641-3) when given chances, also will be greatly involved this year.
QB Matthew Stafford have plenty of goals this season, and the defense will likely be much-improved in the next season in charge of Patricia.
Prediction: 4th (8-8)

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