1. Detroit Lions

If they get off to a better start this season, they should run away with this division.

2. Minnesota Vikings

Last year wasn’t a fluke in that they remain a playoff contender, but they are not a 13-win team going into this season.

3. Green Bay Packers

No more Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. It’s time to see if head coach Matt LaFleur can stay afloat.

4. Chicago Bears

They are going all in on QB Justin Fields. He has plenty of targets to throw to now without having to rush for over 1,000 yards again.

Head Coach: Dan Campbell

Key Position: Defense

There was a lot to be desired from this unit. They seemed to figure it out in the second half, but it was too late for a playoff spot. That should be different this year with the secondary getting three veterans in C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley and Cameron Sutton added to the fold. Drafting the versatile DB Brian Branch in the second round was a solid choice. DE Aidan Hutchinson should easily get double digit sacks after his solid rookie year. LB Jack Campbell will eventually be the captain of this up and coming unit.

Key Acquisitions: QB Teddy Bridgewater (Miami Dolphins), DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles), WR Marvin Jones Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars), RB David Montgomery (Chicago Bears), CB Emmanuel Moseley (San Francisco 49ers), CB Cameron Sutton (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Key Rookies: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell, TE Sam LaPorta, DB Brian Branch

Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell

Key Position: Running Back

The defense as a whole would be at the forefront for me, but releasing their Pro Bowl running back in Dalvin Cook puts this position at the top for me. Enter RB Alexander Mattison who was drafted in the 3rd round by Minnesota in 2019. He’s had spurts of success and has stepped in when Cook was out due to injury. This is where the rubber meets the road though. Even with Cook rushing for over 1,100 yards last year, this unit ranked 27th in the league in rushing yards per game. The offensive line needs to be better, but Mattison could be in for a tough task.

Key Acquisitions: DE/LB Marcus Davenport (New Orleans Saints), DL Dean Lowry (Green Bay Packers), CB Byron Murphy Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), TE Josh Oliver (Baltimore Ravens)

Key Rookies: WR Jordan Addison, CB Mekhi Blackmon

Head Coach: Matt LaFleur

Key Position: Everything

From top to bottom this team has a lot to prove. The coaching staff will be under more scrutiny. Their core players will have more pressure to perform on the field. There is a lot of talent on the defensive side, but far too many times there were boneheaded plays and inconsistent play. DL Kenny Clark, LB De’Vondre Campbell and CB Jaire Alexander are the best players for their respective units on defense. QB Jordan Love is now the guy to lead this franchise. He has shown his skillset at times during his first three seasons. Not enough to immediately say the Packers will not miss QB Aaron Rodgers. The offensive line still has a solid core in front of Love and expect the Packers to lean more on RBs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. WR Christian Watson established himself as the top receiver by the end of last season.

Key Acquisitions: None

Key Rookies: DE/LB Lukas Van Ness, TE Luke Musgrave, WR Jayden Reed, TE Tucker Kraft, DL Colby Wooden

Head Coach: Matt Eberflus

Key Position: Everything

There shouldn’t be a need to have QB Justin Fields rush for over 1,000 yards again. He was hurt late in the season and clearly this isn’t sustainable for the long term. Getting WR DJ Moore (and draft capital) in a trade for the number one pick was a great move by the front office. Signing OL Nate Davis and drafting OT Darnell Wright with their first round pick shores up a chunk of the offensive line. Now there must be balance by involving RBs Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman to keep Fields upright. A lot of money was dolled out for LBs T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. They are established players that should improve the defense immediately. DE Yannick Ngakoue is the best pass rusher, but there must be another player or two that must add to the worst pass rush in the league last year.

Key Acquisitions: DL Andrew Billings (Las Vegas Raiders), OL Nate Davis (Tennessee Titans), LB Tremaine Edmunds (Buffalo Bills), LB T.J. Edwards (Philadelphia Eagles), OL Dan Feeney (NY Jets), RB D’Onta Foreman (Carolina Panthers), DL Rasheem Green (Houston Texans), WR DJ Moore (Carolina Panthers), DE Yannick Ngakoue (Indianapolis Colts), TE Robert Tonyan (Green Bay Packers), DL DeMarcus Walker (Tennessee Titans)

Key Rookies: OT Darnell Wright, DL Gervon Dexter Sr., DB Tyrique Stevenson, DL Zacch Pickens, RB Roschon Johnson, WR Tyler Scott