NFC North preview and predictions: Packers, Lions are Super Bowl contenders

Jared Schwartz previews the NFC North as The Post gives division-by-division breakdowns ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

Coach: Matt LaFleur

2023 record: 9-8 | O/U wins: 9.5

Key additions: S Xavier McKinney, RB Josh Jacobs, G Jordan Morgan, LB Edgerrin Cooper, S Javon Bullard

Key departures: RB Aaron Jones, G Jon Runyan Jr., S Darnell Savage Jr., OT David Bakhtiari

First-and-goal: The youngest team in the NFL last year, the Packers were already ahead of schedule by reaching the NFC Divisional Round. Quarterback Jordan Love became the highest-paid player in NFL history this offseason and can lift Green Bay another level — above the Lions — if he takes another jump in his second year as a full-time starter. McKinney adds star power to the secondary, and Bullard and Cooper enter as immediate impact starters on defense. Jacobs replaces Jones at running back, while Morgan reinforces the offensive line.

Fourth-and-long: With a full year of tape now out there, will opposing defenses begin to figure Love out? He only has one season of success on his résumé. The second cornerback spot opposite Jaire Alexander remains a question, as Eric Stokes has played just 12 games the last two years. A kicker competition means neither is a great option, but neither Anders Carlson nor Greg Joseph even won the job. They signed Brayden Narveson off waivers instead.

Prediction: 11-6. Love shows last year was no fluke, and this young, talented core matures into a serious Super Bowl contender.

AFC South preview and predictions: Loaded Texans set up for deep playoff run

Coach: Dan Campbell

2023 record: 12-5 | O/U wins: 10.5

Key additions: G Kevin Zeitler, DE Marcus Davenport, CB Carlton Davis, CB Amik Robertson, DT DJ Reader, CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Key departures: CB Cameron Sutton, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, CB Will Harris, G Jonah Jackson, WR Josh Reynolds, DT Benito Jones

First-and-goal: One possession away from the Super Bowl last year, the Lions had few holes to fill. Zeitler brings a strong veteran presence to an already elite offensive line. The cornerback group is completely revamped — Arnold and Rakestraw were picked in the first and second round, respectively, and Reader and Davis were signed in free agency. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs — last year’s first-round pick — looks to take a big leap. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and tight end Sam LaPorta are among the best at their respective positions.

Fourth-and-long: So much newness in the secondary presents possible complications. A lack of offensive additions offers the chance of regression. What is the team’s ceiling with Jared Goff as their quarterback?

Prediction: 10-7. As the division improves around them, the Lions come back down to earth a smidgen.

NFC South preview and predictions: Buccaneers, Falcons battle for supremacy

Coach: Matt Eberflus

2023 record: 7-10 | O/U wins: 8.5

Key additions: QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze, RB D’Andre Swift, WR Keenan Allen, S Kevin Byard, C Ryan Bates

Key departures: QB Justin Fields, WR Darnell Mooney, DE Yannick Ngakoue, DT Justin Jones, G Cody Whitehair, C Lucas Patrick, S Eddie Jackson, TE Robert Tonyan

First-and-goal: As the Williams era begins in Chicago, the Bears are the likeliest rags-to-riches candidate this season. Beyond now having what they hope is their game-changing QB of the future in the No. 1 pick Williams, the Bears also added Odunze with the No. 9 pick, traded for Allen and signed Swift in free agency as weapons at his disposal, with DJ Moore already in town. A strong defense keeps the majority of its best talent. They won all four preseason games by a combined margin of 115-47.

Fourth-and-long: How steep will Williams’ learning curve be? Will expectations of immediate greatness get to him? Is Eberflus, who owns a 10-24 record across two years in charge, the right man to lead the team’s new chapter? New offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has a tall task getting so many new offensive pieces to mesh quickly.

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Prediction: 9-8. Hope spreads across Chicago after the Bears finally found the face of their franchise.

Coach: Kevin O’Connell

2023 record: 7-10 | O/U wins: 6.5

Key additions: QB Sam Darnold, QB J.J. McCarthy, RB Aaron Jones, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, LB Jonathan Greenard, DE Jerry Tillery, LB Blake Cashman, CB Shaquill Griffin, LB Dallas Turner

Key departures: QB Kirk Cousins, LB Danielle Hunter, RB Alexander Mattison, WR K.J. Osborn, DE Marcus Davenport, LB D.J. Wonnum, LB Jordan Hicks

First-and-goal: Justin Jefferson is one of the best receivers in the NFL, and fellow wideout Jordan Addison looks to build off an extremely promising rookie season. Jones provides a major upgrade at running back, and there might be three new starters at linebacker.

Fourth-and-long: The Cousins era is over, but the McCarthy era will have to wait. It will be ex-Jets bust Darnold at QB, as McCarthy — the team’s first-round pick — will miss the entire year with a torn meniscus. Darnold owns a 21-35 record as a starter. Already thin on defensive talent, they lost their longtime top edge rusher in Hunter, who had 16.5 sacks last year.

Prediction: 5-12. It’s all about next year, when McCarthy returns. Until then, cover your eyes.

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