2023 NFL Standings Predictions: NFC North
The NFL regular season is less than a month away, so it’s time to put rubber to the road and officially make predictions for the 2023 NFL standings.
Today, we move over to the NFC North and discuss a division that could be much more competitive than it was last season at the top.
1. Detroit Lions (11-6)
- L @ KC
- W vs. SEA
- W vs. ATL
- W @ GB
- W vs. CAR
- W @ TB
- L @ BAL
- W vs. LV
- BYE
- L @ LAC
- W vs. CHI
- W vs. GB
- W @ NO
- L @ CHI
- W vs. DEN
- L @ MIN
- L @ DAL
- W vs. MIN
Everyone and their neighbor has been hyping up the Detroit Lions this offseason. It’s for good reason. After having one of the worst defenses in the league last year, they made huge moves to improve the group in 2023. They signed Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Emmanuel Moseley to the secondary and drafted S Brian Branch as well as LB Jack Campbell.
Offensively, the biggest move they made may have been retaining offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who completely revamped that group in his first year running the unit. They also brought in RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to replace D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. If this Lions team can improve at all on the defensive side of the ball, they will be tough to beat.
2. Minnesota Vikings (10-7)
- W vs. TB
- L @ PHI
- W vs. LAC
- W @ CAR
- L vs. KC
- L @ CHI
- W vs. SF
- W @ GB
- L @ ATL
- W vs. NO
- L @ DEN
- W vs. CHI
- BYE
- W @ LV
- L @ CIN
- W vs. DET
- W vs. GB
- L @ DET
Big changes occurred in Minnesota on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. They have a new defensive coordinator in Brian Flores and virtually a brand new group at cornerback. Changes were for good reason on that side of the ball, considering they ranked among the worst in just about every metric during 2022.
That being said, this was a team that probably should have gone around 10-7 or 9-8 last season if it were not for some wild turns of events down the stretch of games. This year, they regress to the median in terms of one-score games and turnover luck, thus resulting in a few more losses.
However, 2023 may result in the Vikings winning fewer regular season games while also being better suited for playoff contention. It may take some time for everything to gel defensively, especially against a brutal early schedule, but they will compete for a playoff spot once again this season.
3. Chicago Bears (7-10)
- W vs. GB
- L @ TB
- L @ KC
- L vs. DEN
- W @ WSH
- W vs. MIN
- W vs. LV
- L @ LAC
- L @ NO
- L vs. CAR
- L @ DET
- L @ MIN
- BYE
- W vs. DET
- L @ CLE
- W vs. ARI
- W vs. ATL
- L @ GB
The Chicago Bears were one of the biggest spenders in free agency this offseason adding a pair of linebackers in T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. They also signed guard Nate Davis, adding another veteran presence to their offensive line.
Justin Fields took some decent steps forward as a QB in his second NFL season, and now heading into year three, he has the best receiving group of his career with D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, and rookie Tyler Scott.
Finally, while the Bears lost David Montgomery in the running game, they got another player who looks like a stud for their backfield in Roschon Johnson. Chicago should be able to control the clock as long as they can limit turnovers this year (they had the 7th-highest turnover percentage in 2022). If they can get more production from their defense, this looks like a feisty team.
4. Green Bay Packers (6-11)
- L @ CHI
- W @ ATL
- W vs. NO
- L vs. DET
- L @ LV
- BYE
- W @ DEN
- L vs. MIN
- W vs. LAR
- L @ PIT
- W vs. LAC
- L @ DET
- L vs. KC
- L @ NYG
- L vs. TB
- L @ CAR
- L @ MIN
- W vs. CHI
The Packers are moving forward with Jordan Love at quarterback after trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets this offseason. Surprisingly, though, the offense may remain the best part of this team even with the QB change. A young receiving trio of Romeo Doubs, Jaylen Reed, and Christian Watson should help Love in a major way while Green Bay still has a strong RB group headlined by Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.
However, this Joe Barry defense has not been great, especially against the run. With the loss of Dean Lowry on the defensive line, this group might continue to struggle against the run, giving less time for their offense to work.
Keep in mind, the Packers went 6-10 in Rodgers’ first year as a starter before rattling off eight straight playoff appearances between 2009-2016. One down year in Green Bay doesn’t necessarily mean the Jordan Love tenure is a failure.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
