5 Bold Predictions For The NFC North In 2024

The NFL season is almost here, and the NFCNorth looks like it’s going to be a competitive division again with a ton of storylines.

Jordan Love’s Green Bay Packers and Jared Goff’s Detroit Lions are expected to compete for the NFC North crown, but the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have plenty of storylines also with two rookie quarterbacks.

Let’s take a look at five bold predictions for the NFC North in 2024.

J.J. McCarthy Doesn’t Start a Game

The Vikings should be in good shape long-term with J.J. McCarthy under center, but he isn’t going to start in a game this season.

The Vikings have made it clear they are going to be smart with McCarthy and not play him unless they believe he’s ready for the NFL.

Plus, the Vikings have themselves a good insurance policy in Sam Darnold.

Darnold hasn’t lived up to expectations in the NFL, but he also hasn’t had the type of talent that surrounds him with the Vikings. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson and company are going to elevate the play of Darnold, and the Vikings will be comfortable with him starting the whole season.

Chicago Bears Make the Playoffs

The Bears have only made the playoffs three times since 2006, but that number will increase this year.

The Bears have learned their lessons from the mistake with Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields, and now they have surrounded Caleb Williams with playmakers. Keenan Allen and DJ Moore are quite the dynamic duo and they are going to help Williams adjust to the NFL.

Chicago’s offense is going to find a ton of success, and that will lead the club to the playoffs.

Luke Musgrave Finishes Top 5 in Tight End Receiving Yards

Luke Musgrave’s stats didn’t jump off the page as a rookie, but he showed some flashes, and he will be even better this year.

In his debut campaign in 2023, Musgrave caught 34 passes for 352 yards and a touchdown. The Packers will use him as more of a focal point of the offense this year, and he could finish second on the team in terms of receiving yards.

Musgrave is going to have a huge year.

Lions Win the Super Bowl

Maybe it’s not all that bold after the season th Lions had last year, but this really feels like the year they can get over the hump.

This Lions offense is talented, and Goff has proven that he can win during the playoffs. The defense at times last year with inconsistent, but the offense made up for it.

N’Keal Harry Leads the Vikings Tight Ends

TJ Hockenson is working his way back from an ACL injury and it’s unclear when he’s going to be back this season. Meanwhile, N’Keal Harry just made a position change from wide receiver, and it’s a perfect change for him and the Vikings.

Harry is a big-bodied receiver who is going to find success when he’s matched up against defensive backs. He is going to shock many and lead the Vikings tight ends in receiving yards.

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