Green Bay Packers Steal Back the NFC North In 2024

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Elite quarterbacks come out to play in the NFC North, but the Green Bay Packers have so much more. They steal back the division in 2024.

Prepare for the intense sports debate that only sibling rivalry can conjure. Seesaw Sports, where Dan Salem and Todd Salem throw down on the NFL, MLB, NBA and more. Only on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate sports.

 

If there is any division in the NFC where it seems like every team is at least pretty good, it is the NFC North. Of course, we know how expectations like that can lead us astray. Nevertheless, all of Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, and Chicago won at least seven games a season ago and look primed to duplicate such success.

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The Lions finished on top of this quality group by a comfortable margin in 2023. It does not feel like they have a comfortable lead anymore, because those quality opponents have gotten even better. The Packers are a young team improving by the day. The Bears overhauled their roster with an influx of skill at the most important positions. Even Minnesota, taking a step back on paper, has a roster built to compete. With more talent than feels appropriate, who wins the NFC North in 2024?

 

NFC North Division Preview

 

Todd Salem – Green Bay Packers Back On Top

Detroit’s strength is obviously on the offensive side of the ball. An elite offensive line is surrounded by numerous talented skill players and a veteran quarterback who knows how to operate this scheme. The defense has made additions but still feels lacking. It didn’t prevent this group from winning 12 games last year, but unless Terrion Arnold becomes a star right away, I think it will hold them back from repeating.

So, if the Lions are falling back to the pack (and to The Pack), surely Chicago is everyone’s darling to replace them. The argument is easy to make. The Bears added difference-makers at nearly every level of offense and defense, led by Caleb Williams at QB. But I remain a skeptic. 

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For one, some of the difference-makers this team added are over the hill or, at least, on the backside of their primes. Keenan Allen and Kevin Byard stick out as sore thumbs with their best years behind them. Then there are the big names who may have more name cache than actual production. D’Andre Swift and Tremaine Edmunds haven’t quite lived up to their potential, but are being treated as elite additions. Then there’s the fact that Chicago still has the worst offensive line in the division. The group has upside if it can stay healthy, but it remains behind the rest of its North peers.

If all the new players and returning players reach their potential, sure, Chicago could roll to a division title. There is that much talent in-house now. But I’m not expecting such an outcome. To me, Green Bay is the ascending champion.

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The Packers have all the pieces with a deep pass-catching corps, new back Josh Jacobs, newly minted Jordan Love, pass rushing, a play-making safety, an elite cornerback, and youth up and down the roster to develop further. This franchise obviously already saw enough in Love to turn the future over to him, and I believe it. He is the best QB in this division.

Minnesota seems to be lacking a sure answer at QB, at least for this season, and that has to hold them back. Interestingly, everything else speaks to a team trying to compete: elite pass catchers, veteran offensive line, free agent additions at running back and pass rusher. I don’t love the defense overall, but this isn’t a bad team. Unfortunately, it is probably still the worst team in the NFC North, as all three teams ahead of it could be looking at double-digit wins in 2024.

1. Green Bay
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Minnesota

 

 

Dan Salem – Lions Still Great

Talk about some serious disrespect for the team that farted away its Super Bowl berth last season. The Detroit Lions look to be much the same team as last year, with the added experience of a deep playoff run. Perhaps that is the problem. Detroit has nothing new to prop them up heading into 2024, but they don’t need it. I’m not worried about the Lions defense and I know the offense will win them many games. It’s a tight race at the top of the NFC North, but Detroit steals the division title.

Where we agree is in Green Bay, because the Packers will be very good once again. They aren’t going to surprise anyone this season, but Green Bay has gotten better which keeps them right there and in the double-digit wins category. I’m not in the camp that’s gushing over Jordan Love, but he’s definitely good, which is more than most teams can say about their quarterback. The running game worries me, because Jacobs falls into the category of backside of his career. That said, this is a playoff team and the Packers will fall just short of winning the division.

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I’m not ready to give Chicago any sort of credit or benefit of the doubt. They surprised me last season with just how bad they were, especially on defense. Justin Fields can be good, but he’s been cast aside for Williams, who can become good. I’m not expecting fireworks in week one from Williams. Most quarterbacks, especially ones from USC, have NFL growing pains. Even if he manages to have a great rookie season, I don’t see it being nearly enough to elevate the Bears above the .500 mark. This team is still a year away from competing.

Last but not least are the feisty Minnesota Vikings. Sam Darnold has another shot to win a starting QB job and the Vikings certainly have enough weapons for him. They also have competition at quarterback, meaning this is a rebuilding year for Minnesota. They have too much talent to bottom out, but it’s hard to imagine the Vikings winning more than six games. The competition in the NFC North alone is too tough. They pull up in the basement.

1. Detroit
2. Green Bay
3. Chicago
4. Minnesota

 

Meet our Writers:

Dan Salem is Lead Editor and Co-owner of BuzzChomp. He’s an award winning Actor, Director and Producer. Visit M Square Productions for his film work, or get lost in his old-school comedy on Pillow Talk TV. You can follow him on X, TikTok and Instagram. His latest film ‘Alone’ is now on Amazon.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer and Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also a champion of fantasy football and fantasy baseball, dominating leagues for over two decades. Comment below on his unfiltered opinions.

Green Bay Packers Photo Credits: marca.com and espn.com via Getty Images

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