2014 NFL Preview: NFC North

By Joe Pietaro
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Updated: September 9, 2014

The wonderful old and intense rivalries still exist here and the Packers and Bears will both be a tough out. The Lions are mediocre and an improved Vikings team will leapfrog them.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

2013: 8-7-1, PREDICTION: 10-6

Aaron Rodgers on the offense; Clay Matthews on defense. Great leaders on both sides of the ball but this team needs to be more consistent to come out on top. It should in a division filled with mediocrity.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

2013: 5-10, Prediction: 8-8

This will be one of the surprise teams in the league this year. They will not have the perfect indoor conditions of the Metrodome anymore, but neither will their opponents. It used to be a real home field advantage at the frigid ‘Met’ back in the day and perhaps that can happen again. At quarterback, Matt Cassel will do just fine and Adrian Peterson is prime for another huge year. Teddy Bridgewater will have to wait his turn.

CHICAGO BEARS

2013: 8-8, Prediction: 7-9

The once dominant Monsters of the Midway are now considered a weak team defensively and have some good weapons on the other side of the ball. But Jay Cutler is inconsistent and injury prone, so the Bears will take a step back in 2014.

DETROIT LIONS

2013: 7-9, Prediction: 6-10

Another team with a porous defense, the Lions can put points on the board but will it be enough to win? Matthew Stafford can get the job done and has some nice weapons but it will always come down to the fourth quarter.

Photo by Bill Menzel