After years of mediocrity, the NFC North may be poised to have the best record in the NFL this season.

NFC North

Detroit –  The Lions were Red’s NFL Team of Destiny in 2022.  Red was but a season early on predicting a turnaround for a franchise with not much to show for itself since Bobby Layne was under center.   In fairness, the Lions did make it to the NFC Championship game in 1991 where they got rolled and smoked by the then OTNAs.  Red doesn’t get to use the OTNA acronym much anymore since the DC franchise became the Commanders (who haven’t commanded much of anything since the change).  Anyhow, that game was clearly the highlight of Mark Rypien’s career and the lowlight of Erik Kramer’s.  But so much for ancient history.  Word is Mr. Gibbs will be healthy for the opening game and with him and a revitalized David Montgomery, Jared Goff will not be feeling the pressure to heave it deep so much this season. Red is just scattershooting here but he likes the Lions for some unknown reason.  Maybe reaching the NFC Championship game again has shown the Lions that they are really for real.  Lions are 12-5 and storm into the  playoffs with closing wins over the Niners and Vikings.

Green Bay – After a rousing finish winning 6 of the last 8  sneaking into the playoffs as the last seed and just stomping on Dallas in the first round, the Pack seemed headed in the right direction.  Maybe the Pack was lucky to hang with the Niners in round 2 or maybe they just weren’t ready yet.  This season looks to be more of the same.  Jordan Love is trending in the right direction.  The addition of Josh Jacobs cannot hurt.  And a relatively middle of the road schedule will help.  Other than the Lions, the Packers only play 4 playoff teams from 2023 (Eagles, Texans, Niners and Dolphins) who with the exception of the Niners are not the cream of the crop.  Packers do okay at 10-7.

Chicago –  Is Caleb Williams the second coming of Patrick Mahomes.  A spectacular season at USC with 30 TDs against only 5 INTs indicates that he knows where to put the ball.  He certainly is the early season favorite for ROY honors. And with a pretty damn  good surrounding cast headed by Swift, Moore and Allen, the Bears will make some noise.  Red figures about 9-8 worth of noise with an upside if the breaks go the Bears way.

Minnesota –  Not that long ago the Vikings were an up and coming team.  Playing in this very tough division, they are looking at a long season.  6-11.