American Football
NFC North 2025 Preview: Lions, Packers, Bears, Vikings Predictions
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The NFC North was the NFL’s best division last year, with the four teams combining for the best win percentage in league history.
The Lions had 15 wins, followed by 14 for the Vikings and 11 for the Packers. The 40 combined victories produced the No. 1, No. 5 and No. 7 seeds in the NFC playoffs.
Could the new season produce the same quality and rivalry? DAZN News Gavin Babbitt takes a look at how the 2025 NFC North is shaping up.
Detroit Lions
DAZN BET Division Odds: 11/8
2024 Record: 15-2
Detroit had the best scoring differential in the NFL last season at +222. Defensively, they were in the top 10 in points per game allowed and turnovers forced. The Lions lost to the Commanders in the NFC championship game.
The Lions will be without premier offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in 2025 . Their offensive line turned over, losing All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and guard Kevin Zeitler. Second-round pick Tate Ratledge was taken to backfill Zeitler, and guard Graham Glasgow will move to center. Penei Sewell is an elite right tackle; the Lions’ standard of superiority at the line of scrimmage should not change with their personnel.
Jared Goff returns at quarterback after his most accurate season as a pro. He has the league’s best running back duo in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
The Lions will impose their running game on opponents, which in turn opens up their deadly play-action looks. Gibbs has the potential to become the league's most productive back in an expanded role.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta complement this scheme perfectly in the passing game, allowing Detroit to throw to short, medium and deep segments of the field. Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Aidan Hutchinson returns after a season-ending leg injury last season. With Alim McNeill out for the foreseeable future, first-round pick Tyliek Williams must contribute noticeably after the loss of Za’Darius Smith. The pass-rush will need Hutchinson to produce at an elite level, as he did to start 2024.
Cornerback DJ Reed signed in free agency to join Amik Robertson, Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch in the secondary. This group, along with linebackers Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes should limit yardage through the air.
The Lions are one of the NFL’s best teams. If they stick to their identity, they will win the NFC North again.
Minnesota Vikings
DAZN BET Division Odds: 7/2
2024 Record: 14-3
The Vikings exceeded expectations in 2024. They were among the NFL’s elite teams throughout the regular season by way of throwing efficiency and limiting points defensively.
JJ McCarthy will be the Vikings’ starting quarterback in his second season. He is in good company with offensive specialist Kevin O’Connell.
McCarthy is well-equipped with pass-catching weapons. Justin Jefferson will command the bulk of the targets and is rejoined by a healthy T.J. Hockenson at tight end. Jordan Addison is a budding talent on the exterior, but he will serve a three-game suspension to start the year. The Vikings brought Adam Thielen back via trade to bridge the gap .
The Vikings’ offensive line will be an improved unit. Center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries were signed in free agency, and first-round pick Donovan Jackson is a powerful prospect to add in the middle. These additions will help pave the way for running backs Aaron Jones, a plus receiver, and Jordan Mason, who will handle the inside carries.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Defensively, Minnesota signed corner Isaiah Rodgers from Philadelphia to go with Byron Murphy, the recipient of a $54 million contract extension in March. Veterans Josh Metellus and Harrison Smith remain staples at safety, but must limit passing yardage; a bottom 10 category last year.
Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard return up front, coming off 23 combined sacks. Minnesota also signed Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave on the interior. This defense is pointed up.
The Vikings are a threat if JJ McCarthy adapts quickly. He has the NFL’s best route runner in Justin Jefferson to help. If this defense limits points and forces turnovers again, Minnesota will be in the NFC playoff picture.
Green Bay Packers
DAZN BET Division Odds: 5/2
2024 Record: 11-6
The Packers won 11 games in 2024, but went only 1-5 in the division. Green Bay was excellent in the red zone on both sides of the ball. They lost to the Eagles in the NFC wild card round.
Green Bay returns its offensive core of Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs and Jayden Reed. The Packers run and throw the ball at a high level. They selected Matthew Golden 23rd overall in April , adding to an already deep receiving corps.
Free agent signee Aaron Banks completes a top-end offensive line that returns its other four starters. Elgton Jenkins will move to center.
Josh Jacobs is Green Bay’s bell cow running back. He will get the ball often to move the chains. All things considered, expect an increase in throwing volume for Jordan Love.
Matthew Golden is great working the sidelines; a good match for Jayden Reed’s 75.6% career slot usage rate. Tucker Kraft is an emerging tight end who is a target machine on routes under 10 yards.
A top 10 sack total came by committee for the Packers in 2024. Rashan Gary, Devonte Wyatt and Lukas Van Ness are back with long-term deals. The acquisition of Micah Parsons via trade should boost their pass rush considerably.
Linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper have plenty to play for with Walker in a contract year and Cooper hoping to follow up a great rookie season. This group must stop the run as they did a year ago to be great.
The Packers have a trio of formidable corners, including Keisean Nixon in the slot, Carrington Valentine, and newcomer Nate Hobbs. Xavier McKinney has been an elite safety since 2023. Paired with this front seven, this secondary is intimidating.
Green Bay is a dark horse NFC contender, assuming they remain healthy. Adding All Pro edge rusher Parsons provides them with a transformative player who should have no problem justifying becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The Packers need wins against the Vikings and the Bears this year to get out of the division. They are one of the NFL’s most balanced teams.
Chicago Bears
DAZN BET Division Odds: 5/1
2024 Record: 5-12
The Bears struggled offensively in 2024. They were a bottom-five team in points per game and total yardage per game. The Chicago defense showed life. It was excellent in limiting touchdowns and forcing turnovers.
Ben Johnson is in as head coach to resurrect the Bears’ offense. Chicago used its first- and second-round picks on new targets for sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams : tight end Colston Loveland and slot receiver Luther Burden. DJ Moore and Rome Odunze will play the exterior in a passing game with diverse talent.
Up front, veterans Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson were acquired via trade and Drew Dalman signed in free agency. The three join tackles Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones. The protection and push in the running game will improve.
Williams took a colossal number of sacks last year to go with 10 fumbles. D’Andre Swift must capitalize on the new offensive line to take pressure off his quarterback. The 26-year-old is coming off a career-low 3.8 yards per carry. It's essential that he moves the chains for this offense to progress.
Defensively, Chicago must improve stopping the run. Montez Sweat and free agent signees Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett must lead the way. Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards will assist at linebacker. The Bears allowed too many touchdowns on the ground last year.
If the Bears improve in the box, it forces opposing offenses to a good secondary. Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Kevin Byard are rejoined by safety Jaquan Brisker, who missed most of 2024. Chicago allowed the fewest throwing touchdowns in the NFL last year.
The Bears are going all-in considering their offseason in free agency. Ben Johnson must correct this offense quickly for the Bears to be a factor in the NFC. This is more likely a multi-season project.
Read the latest Chicago Bears news here
NFC North Summary
It's more than fair criticism to say the NFC North won’t be as strong as last season. The Lions are a win-now team that will make a run at Super Bowl 60.
The Packers need Jordan Love to light up the passing game to take the next step; the question is whether his receivers will progress.
The Vikings are still a good team, but rookie quarterbacks always have an adjustment period, and they could lose ground early.
The Bears are set to improve, but Ben Johnson will need to develop Caleb Williams for multiple seasons before they can contend.
NFC North 2025 projected standings:
- Lions: 13-4 (NFC Champions)
- Packers: 11-6
- Vikings: 8-9
- Bears: 8-9
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