1. Chicago Bears

Their stout defense will win them a lot of games, but if they want a Super Bowl title the offense will have to be better.

2. Minnesota Vikings

With a bigger emphasis on the running game don’t expect a repeat of last season.

3. Green Bay Packers

If Aaron Rodgers is healthy they will be a playoff contender.

4. Detroit Lions

A lot has to go right for them to clinch a playoff spot, but all the pieces are there for them.

Head Coach: Matt Nagy

Key Position: Wide Receiver

While QB Mitchell Trubisky was good last year, it’s time for him to take that next step into a top tier quarterback. Allen Robinson should be completely healthy this year and that will do wonders. Trubisky has other options in Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller and Trey Burton that he relied on while Robinson was out. Tarik Cohen is that wild card who can play almost anywhere on the field.

Key Acquisitions: DB Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Washington Redskins), RB Mike Davis (Seattle Seahawks), WR Cordarrelle Patterson (New England Patriots), CB Buster Skrine (NY Jets)

Key Rookies: RB David Montgomery

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer

Key Position: Offense

A lot can be said and already has about QB Kirk Cousins. Last year wasn’t good even though his stats don’t show it. The offensive line did him no favors as he was sacked 40 times. That was addressed with the drafting of Garrett Bradbury in the first round. The running game was non-existent as Dalvin Cook couldn’t stay healthy. He’ll get a running mate in Alexander Mattison, who was drafted in the third round. Also Cousins got another target in TE Irv Smith in the second round to go with the duo of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.

Key Acquisitions: P Britton Colquitt (Cleveland Browns), OL Josh Kline (Tennessee Titans), DT Shamar Stephen (Seattle Seahawks)

Key Rookies: C Garrett Bradbury, TE Irv Smith, RB Alexander Mattison

Head Coach: Matt LaFleur (Tennessee Titans)

Key Position: Offense

The only bright spot on this side was Davante Adams who put himself into the conversation of being one of the elite wide receivers. A lot is riding on the health of Aaron Rodgers once again. More responsibility needs to be given to the running game. Aaron Jones is the best of the bunch in the backfield and the o-line, when healthy are great at pass protection and are an underrated unit in the ground game. Rodgers could be heading toward the twilight of his career and this a crucial year to determine that.

Key Acquisitions: DB Adrian Amos (Chicago Bears), LB Preston Smith (Washington Redskins), LB Za’Darius Smith (Baltimore Ravens), OL Billy Turner (Denver Broncos)

Key Rookies: DE/LB Rashan Gary, DB Darnell Savage, OL Elgton Jenkins

Head Coach: Matt Patricia

Key Position: Offense

It was a promising start at 3-3, but it quickly fell apart and the offense had no cohesion the rest of the way. Injuries plagued the receiving corp and the best running back, Kerryon Johnson couldn’t stay healthy either. The offensive line wasn’t any better. Detroit has a new offensive coordinator in Darrell Bevell who has overseen some of the best rushing attacks in Minnesota and Seattle previously. The personnel is there to make it happen in Detroit as well.

Key Acquisitions: WR Danny Amdendola (New England Patriots), RB C.J. Anderson (LA Rams), CB Justin Coleman (Seattle Seahawks), DL Mike Daniels (Green Bay Packers), DE Trey Flowers (New England Patriots), TE Jesse James (Pittsburgh Steelers), CB Rashaan Melvin (Oakland Raiders)

Key Rookies: TE T.J. Hockenson, LB Jahlani Tavai