The upcoming 2020 NFL season will be like one we have never seen. With the global pandemic COVID-19 shutting down most of the country, many feared that the NFL season may be in doubt. Due to COVID, there has been very little preparation for the upcoming season. With shortened OTA's and Mini camps, limited spring training, and no preseason games, rookie players and coaches have little to no time to get acclimated to the league. It is going to be extremely hard to have realistic expectations for many teams and players. However, I shall do my best to give you the ultimate 2020 NFL Division predictions. NFC North Edition!
1. Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Last season the Green Bay Packers were humiliated in the NFC Championship game in a final score of 37-20 against Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. For the entirety of the game, the Packers defense was being torn apart by San Francisco's running game giving up a whopping total of 285 rushing yards. On offense, Aaron Rodgers was never given a chance, he was running and ducking everything being thrown at him just to make a play.The "Bad Man" that Rodger's usually is was not coming out to play that night. During the offseason the Packers, for some asinine reason drafted QB Jordan Love from Utah State University with the 26th pick in the first round. Many wonder if this is the year they transition off Rodgers and look to the future to rebuild. Many too will look at their situation and predict a down year for the Packers, however I see something magical instead. Aaron Rodgers is not the type of guy who will just lay down and become a pushover for some rookie from nowhere. That's why this season Aaron Rodgers will come back with vengeance playing one of his best years in recent history.
On this offense, the only recognizable name to the average fan would be Davante Adams, one of the league's best Wide Receivers. Apart from Adams, the Packers have failed to supply Rodgers with any surrounding talent, but as long as the "Bad Man" Aaron Rodgers is in town, the Packers will win this division and make the Playoffs.
Now to address the defense that got shredded all of last season. I believe another year of chemistry will do everyone some good. They won't be perfect, but they will be good enough to keep games close enough for Mr. Aaron Rodgers to do his thing. They have a lot of talent on the defense, with the likes of Kenny Clarke, Jaire Alexander, Za'Darius and Preston Smith. This unit has a lot to prove this season, but ultimately they will shine as the number one team from the NFC North, just edging out their rivals in Minnesota.
2. Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
Mike Zimmer's squad will be looking to make some noise as well, like they do every season. Since Zimmer has been the Head Coach, the Vikings have always been a team that makes great and exciting postseason runs. With a strong coached defense and high flying offense, this season should be no different. Starting QB Kirk Cousins, who is all in on this season, will try to lead the offense back to another dominating year through the air. Cousins is entering his third season with the team and has his sights on winning a Super Bowl. He is adamant that nothing will stop his great play, even Covid-19. His recent viral statement "If I die, I die" shows me that he is approaching this season with more motivation and ambition to drive his team to victory. Cousins will be leading star Wide Receivers Adam Thielen and rookie Justin Jefferson to what should be a great year of successfully pushing the ball down the field. At the Tight End position Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. will be of great help in the passing game while also setting up the run game for one the best backs in the game. Dalvin Cook had shown the NFL what he was about last season, and I'm expecting an even better year from him with even more production in the passing game.
As well built as the offense is, the defense too is just as strong. They just traded for star pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue to pair up with another star in Danielle Hunter. Also keep an eye out for linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks who will be patrolling the middle of the field. The secondary will be highlighted by 2018 All Pro Safety Harrison Smith and rising star Anthony Harris. This is a team that will be competing in every game, and I fully expect the Vikings to be one of the scariest teams come playoff time.
3. Detroit Lions (7-9)
I wish I saw a bright year for the Lions this season, but I really don't see any chance that they can win as many games as they would have liked to. I feel that the organization is not all on the same page, from the front office to the last player on the practice squad. Going into this season everyone knows this is a prove it year for Head Coach Matt Patricia and General Manager Bob Quinn. They have had two previous unsuccessful years trying to compete in this division, but nothing has really clicked for them. Matthew Stafford will remain the QB entering his 12th season with the Lions. Stafford too has some things he needs to prove to himself, and to the league. Last season Stafford showed flashes that he can still be a great franchise QB in the NFL. He was playing some of his best ball of his life until he was sidelined for the rest of the year with a few broken bones in his back. He is a strong candidate for comeback player of the year. His go to man this season will be none other than standout Wide Receiver Kenny Galloday. I think Galloday will have a tremendous season. This offense will look to him more often than not, he definitely is someone to lookout for. Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola will be other reliable options for Stafford in this offense. The most intriguing player on the offense will be rookie Halfback D'Andre Swift. He should easily be a candidate for the Rookie of the Year Award.
On defense all eyes will be on number three overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jeff Okudah. Okudah is the new lock down corner in town, replacing Darius Slay. Under Matt Patricia's defense, Okudah will be able to strive in the heavy man coverage system. His talents will be on display every play every game. The only other intriguing player on the defense is star Defensive End Trey Flowers. If he is able to build off of last season's seven sacks, he will be one of the game's best game wreckers. The Lions have some potential, however I think this is a team that needs time to develop and create a strong sense of chemistry. Sadly, I don't believe Matt Patricia will be given the time of day to try, find and build that chemistry.
4. Chicago Bears (2-14)
This is an NFL league that is heavily reliant on great Quarterback play in order to succeed. In Chicago, there is no point in denying that they just don't have the right man for the job. Both Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles are iffy options as far as starting QB's go and I don't see them as great options for this season. They both would make great back-ups without a doubt. However, neither one has the ability to beat you week in and week out. I love Matt Nagy and his offensive system, but this might be a good season to tank and aim at landing one of the top QB's coming from the college game. Allen Robinson, Jimmy Graham and Tarik Cohen will be the highlighted stars of the offense. Coach Nagy knows how to use these weapons in many unique ways to maximize the production of Trubisky.
On to the defense, how can I not start by mentioning All Pro Defensive End Khalil Mack. I expect Mack to continue his tear and havoc on the NFL's offensive lines. He will as always be one of the NFL's best in pressures and sacks. In the secondary they have stars Kendall Fuller and Eddie Jackson. They are the young core that hold the fort down in the back, it's hard to beat those guys on any given Sunday. The sad truth for my Bears fans is that this is not a complete roster that can truly compete in the NFC North. They will struggle a lot, have many ups and even more downs. I think it best that they just look onward to what the next off season might bring.
**I do not own any of these images, links attached to each photo for credit**
Cover Photo can be found at: https://www.nfl.com/news/khalil-mack-on-back-sacking-rodgers-by-any-means-0ap3000001001256
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