Post by Cincinnati Bengals (Chris) on Sept 4, 2017 13:33:12 GMT -5
NFC NORTH
Continuing with our Divisional Preview series, this week we take a look at the NFC North, a division that produced three playoff teams and the runner-up to the NFC Champion Seahawks in the Minnesota Vikings, despite coming in second in the division. Consequently, the tide might have finally turned in the division. Can either of the other two teams have anything to say about that? Time will tell. Let me know what you think about my projections and post you own comments. Also, DON’T FORGET to vote in the poll, as that’s the whole point.
Chicago Bears (Charlie)
Last year’s finish: 31st (Division: 4th)
Outlook: Charlie has made some notable offensive improvements in the last couple of days, adding Phillip Dorsett, Torrey Smith, Jaron Brown and Zach Miller. In addition to Rob Kelley and Shane Vereen, as well as rookie sleeper favorites Chris Carson and Matt Breida, should they be able to exceed expectations, perhaps this offense can be a top-half unit. Where the Bears will be let down, however, is at quarterback, will almost assuredly finish worst in the league among qualified QBs if he makes enough starts to qualify, which again, he almost assuredly won’t. Defensively, depth is an issue, but several players could have large impacts, including Jason Pierre-Paul, Don’t’a Hightower and perhaps players like Leonard Floyd, Xavien Howard and Xavier Rhodes. Other high-upside players do exist on the roster, but expecting them all to hit would be a fool’s errand.
X-factor: Growth. Charlie has some nice projectable assets, and his goal should be to keep them and add to them in the coming years. It’s just too hard to see him getting past the two heavyweights in the division this year.
Projected division finish: 4th
Detroit Lions (Ryan)
Last year’s finish: 9th (Division: 1st)
Outlook: It’s been a bit of a slow off-season for Ryan as he ascends the latter in the corporate world (Congratulations again man), and the usual level of activity, both in logging on and making trades, especially by the league’s serial trader has been disappointing (It’s certainly been less entertaining). Still, Ryan finds himself with a strong core of Cam Newton, Kelvin Benjamin, Terrelle Pryor, Michael Crabtree and Tyler Eifert offensively. As Ryan’s cuts have him up against the cap, he’s been unable to supplement that unit much, so he’s in run-it-back mode as of now, which has proved a successful strategy for him in the past. He’s attempted to upgrade on his running back situation (Dion Lewis), but so far has been unable to do so. His depth is also a question with only Devin Funchess to spell his lineup on the offensive side, and only two players on the defensive end, Vinny Curry and Edwin Jackson (Currently on IR) to back up his elite starting defense, which includes Vic Beasley, Charles Johnson, Luke Kuechly, Ramik Wilson, Barry Church, Reshad Jones, Antoine Bethea and Landon Collins. Again, the depth is pretty scarce, so Ryan will have to count on pristine health, or else engineer trades for less talented but healthy players, or further cut players to add to his cap hit. It’s a risky strategy, but those have worked before for Ryan.
X-factor: Running back. Above anything else, we haven’t had anyone win a division or make it very far in the playoffs without a starting running back in some time (At least to my recollection). Yes, depth (Or lack thereof) can unhinge Ryan’s season, but so can the lack of having a running back, or at least severely damper the season that he does have. So finding production there is item #1 on the agenda, and Ryan will have to deal with the other stuff later.
Projected division finish: 2nd
Green Bay Packers (Mike B)
Last year’s finish: 15th (Division: 3rd)
Outlook: Mike goes into the year with a fairly potent offense, sporting a starting combination of Philip Rivers, C.J. Prosise, Donte Moncrief, Brandon Marshall, Greg Olsen and Jeremy Hill (But with Adam Humphries the only reserve, it’s a similar situation to the one Detroit is in both depth and cap-wise). Defensively, Mike is in a better situation depth wise, but the unit is weaker. Still, impactful players are present in Thomas Davis, Sean Lee, Kurt Coleman and Stephon Gilmore. Beyond that, there are a number of average to below-average players. Clearly, Mike is hoping for better than expected production from some of those players to buoy the difference-makers.
X-factor: Offensive depth. It will be important to monitor the depth of the offense for a number of reasons, but especially because, with all but three of his total offensive crop of players at advanced ages, any injury could hit doubly hard. Fortifying the depth of that unit is paramount to Mike’s success. If he does that, we may be talking about Green Bay as a playoff team again.
Projected division finish: 3rd
Minnesota Vikings (Matt)
Last year’s finish: 4th (Division: 2nd)
Outlook: Matt’s previous several years up until last year were somewhat disappointing. A team that showed potential to be a breakout club at times in 2014, his 2015 was set to the now “classic” (I’m old) country song “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.” Finally, Matt arrived, and in grand fashion, getting off to an 8-0 start. Unfortunately for Minnesota, the Vikes faded down the stretch, going 1-3 over the final four weeks (1-2 in division), basically gifting Detroit (Whom the Vikings had a 3-game lead over at one point, and a 2-game lead over at the start of division play) the NFC North crown in the process. Undeterred, Minnesota avenged the regular season loss to Detroit in the First Round, followed by a win over the Saints in the Second Round for the right to face Cecil’s Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, where he fell to the eventual champion in a rout. Returning in 2017 for the Vikings (In more than one way for some) are Andrew Luck (More on that later), Carlos Hyde, Davante Adams, Martavis Bryant (A savvy-long term move), Hunter Henry and a host of other quasi-role players. That unit should be really good, but Andrew Luck’s health and timeline potentially imperil the early going. Defensively, Minnesota has constructed a unit worthy of matching the offense, with a DL of Frank Clark and Marcel Dareus, rookie IDP star Jarrad Davis, C.J. Mosley, Malcolm Jenkins, Earl Thomas, Sean Davis and Jake Ryan. Depth is there as well in numbers, and some potentially high-upside players that could step in and contribute if given the opportunity on their real-life teams.
X-factor: Have some Luck. Without Andrew Luck, this is a very different team. With him, it appears a team ready to make another deep playoff run. The key is getting him back as soon as possible, which for now we know is NOT Week 1 (As Luck was ruled out for that game today). Getting him back in Week 2, say, instead of Week 6 for example (With some prognosticators leaning towards the latter side of that range), is vital to Minnesota’s regular season. Still, if he is able to do that, there’s no reason that this Minnesota team shouldn’t garner Matt his first NFC North title.
Projected division finish: 1st
Remember to watch out for the fourth of our divisional previews, this time the NFC West, which should drop tomorrow. Thanks again guys.
Continuing with our Divisional Preview series, this week we take a look at the NFC North, a division that produced three playoff teams and the runner-up to the NFC Champion Seahawks in the Minnesota Vikings, despite coming in second in the division. Consequently, the tide might have finally turned in the division. Can either of the other two teams have anything to say about that? Time will tell. Let me know what you think about my projections and post you own comments. Also, DON’T FORGET to vote in the poll, as that’s the whole point.
Chicago Bears (Charlie)
Last year’s finish: 31st (Division: 4th)
Outlook: Charlie has made some notable offensive improvements in the last couple of days, adding Phillip Dorsett, Torrey Smith, Jaron Brown and Zach Miller. In addition to Rob Kelley and Shane Vereen, as well as rookie sleeper favorites Chris Carson and Matt Breida, should they be able to exceed expectations, perhaps this offense can be a top-half unit. Where the Bears will be let down, however, is at quarterback, will almost assuredly finish worst in the league among qualified QBs if he makes enough starts to qualify, which again, he almost assuredly won’t. Defensively, depth is an issue, but several players could have large impacts, including Jason Pierre-Paul, Don’t’a Hightower and perhaps players like Leonard Floyd, Xavien Howard and Xavier Rhodes. Other high-upside players do exist on the roster, but expecting them all to hit would be a fool’s errand.
X-factor: Growth. Charlie has some nice projectable assets, and his goal should be to keep them and add to them in the coming years. It’s just too hard to see him getting past the two heavyweights in the division this year.
Projected division finish: 4th
Detroit Lions (Ryan)
Last year’s finish: 9th (Division: 1st)
Outlook: It’s been a bit of a slow off-season for Ryan as he ascends the latter in the corporate world (Congratulations again man), and the usual level of activity, both in logging on and making trades, especially by the league’s serial trader has been disappointing (It’s certainly been less entertaining). Still, Ryan finds himself with a strong core of Cam Newton, Kelvin Benjamin, Terrelle Pryor, Michael Crabtree and Tyler Eifert offensively. As Ryan’s cuts have him up against the cap, he’s been unable to supplement that unit much, so he’s in run-it-back mode as of now, which has proved a successful strategy for him in the past. He’s attempted to upgrade on his running back situation (Dion Lewis), but so far has been unable to do so. His depth is also a question with only Devin Funchess to spell his lineup on the offensive side, and only two players on the defensive end, Vinny Curry and Edwin Jackson (Currently on IR) to back up his elite starting defense, which includes Vic Beasley, Charles Johnson, Luke Kuechly, Ramik Wilson, Barry Church, Reshad Jones, Antoine Bethea and Landon Collins. Again, the depth is pretty scarce, so Ryan will have to count on pristine health, or else engineer trades for less talented but healthy players, or further cut players to add to his cap hit. It’s a risky strategy, but those have worked before for Ryan.
X-factor: Running back. Above anything else, we haven’t had anyone win a division or make it very far in the playoffs without a starting running back in some time (At least to my recollection). Yes, depth (Or lack thereof) can unhinge Ryan’s season, but so can the lack of having a running back, or at least severely damper the season that he does have. So finding production there is item #1 on the agenda, and Ryan will have to deal with the other stuff later.
Projected division finish: 2nd
Green Bay Packers (Mike B)
Last year’s finish: 15th (Division: 3rd)
Outlook: Mike goes into the year with a fairly potent offense, sporting a starting combination of Philip Rivers, C.J. Prosise, Donte Moncrief, Brandon Marshall, Greg Olsen and Jeremy Hill (But with Adam Humphries the only reserve, it’s a similar situation to the one Detroit is in both depth and cap-wise). Defensively, Mike is in a better situation depth wise, but the unit is weaker. Still, impactful players are present in Thomas Davis, Sean Lee, Kurt Coleman and Stephon Gilmore. Beyond that, there are a number of average to below-average players. Clearly, Mike is hoping for better than expected production from some of those players to buoy the difference-makers.
X-factor: Offensive depth. It will be important to monitor the depth of the offense for a number of reasons, but especially because, with all but three of his total offensive crop of players at advanced ages, any injury could hit doubly hard. Fortifying the depth of that unit is paramount to Mike’s success. If he does that, we may be talking about Green Bay as a playoff team again.
Projected division finish: 3rd
Minnesota Vikings (Matt)
Last year’s finish: 4th (Division: 2nd)
Outlook: Matt’s previous several years up until last year were somewhat disappointing. A team that showed potential to be a breakout club at times in 2014, his 2015 was set to the now “classic” (I’m old) country song “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.” Finally, Matt arrived, and in grand fashion, getting off to an 8-0 start. Unfortunately for Minnesota, the Vikes faded down the stretch, going 1-3 over the final four weeks (1-2 in division), basically gifting Detroit (Whom the Vikings had a 3-game lead over at one point, and a 2-game lead over at the start of division play) the NFC North crown in the process. Undeterred, Minnesota avenged the regular season loss to Detroit in the First Round, followed by a win over the Saints in the Second Round for the right to face Cecil’s Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, where he fell to the eventual champion in a rout. Returning in 2017 for the Vikings (In more than one way for some) are Andrew Luck (More on that later), Carlos Hyde, Davante Adams, Martavis Bryant (A savvy-long term move), Hunter Henry and a host of other quasi-role players. That unit should be really good, but Andrew Luck’s health and timeline potentially imperil the early going. Defensively, Minnesota has constructed a unit worthy of matching the offense, with a DL of Frank Clark and Marcel Dareus, rookie IDP star Jarrad Davis, C.J. Mosley, Malcolm Jenkins, Earl Thomas, Sean Davis and Jake Ryan. Depth is there as well in numbers, and some potentially high-upside players that could step in and contribute if given the opportunity on their real-life teams.
X-factor: Have some Luck. Without Andrew Luck, this is a very different team. With him, it appears a team ready to make another deep playoff run. The key is getting him back as soon as possible, which for now we know is NOT Week 1 (As Luck was ruled out for that game today). Getting him back in Week 2, say, instead of Week 6 for example (With some prognosticators leaning towards the latter side of that range), is vital to Minnesota’s regular season. Still, if he is able to do that, there’s no reason that this Minnesota team shouldn’t garner Matt his first NFC North title.
Projected division finish: 1st
Remember to watch out for the fourth of our divisional previews, this time the NFC West, which should drop tomorrow. Thanks again guys.