Are you ready for some football? We are going to blink, and the 2025 NFL season will be upon us as training camps for all 32 teams have started. There is plenty to dive into this year with quarterbacks switching teams, major coaches making a return, and plenty of teams getting much better, while some probably needed some more help. Here is our 2025 NFC North preview.
Last Year
Kings of the NFC. That’s how it felt for most of the 2024 season with the NFC North. Three teams made the playoffs, the Lions, Vikings, and Packers. The issue became keeping those teams around in the postseason. The Lions and Vikings took it down to the final week of the season to see who was going to clinch the first overall seed. It didn’t matter much with Minnesota losing in Week 18 and then immediately in the first round of the playoffs. The Lions disappointed with a quick exit in their first postseason game, giving up a billion points to the Commanders in a major upset. The Packers weren’t long for the postseason either, getting bounced by Philly in a game that was never truly close. The only disappointment in the division was the Bears who won just five games with rookie QB Caleb Williams at the helm.
Favorite to win in 2025
It’s gonna be tight. Three teams are going to be vying for the top spot. I don’t buy into the Bears making the jump this year to come close to a division title so once again the three others will be near the top. Detroit has Vegas odds on their side but that’s easier said than done. The Lions lost both their coordinators this offseason so while they still have Dan Campbell and Jared Goff leading the way, there should be some growing pains with an all-new staff. Green Bay is my favorite, they are consistent with their roster from last year, offense is intact as is the coaching staff. Minnesota is going to have their own growing pains with J.J. McCarthy taking over as the full-time quarterback.
Offensive Player to Watch: Caleb Williams
Williams was 28th in QBR a year ago. He was fine. Not bad, not great. Just fine. But that can be a slippery slope when you were the first overall pick. The Bears need an excellent sophomore season out of Williams, and they invested around him to set him up for success.
Defensive Player to Watch: Aidan Hutchinson
He dealt with a gruesome leg injury a year ago. Now he is back and ready to contribute on defense, something they desperately need with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn moving on and after getting embarrassed in the playoffs. Hutchinson might be the key to the Lions making a legit postseason run.
Prediction
I am going with Green Bay. They were right there a year ago and played really well down the stretch. If the defense stands strong in their own division where some of the best offenses reside, they should be in good shape. Record (11-6)