NFC North Predictions

[Heyjoe4]

The Eagles SB performance last season makes them the scariest team in the league right now. You hope to catch them when they are not at their best.

Agreed. The Eagles lost some players in FA, but also resigned some of their guys, and had a decent draft. They are scary good and certainly enter the season as the favorite. It's just very hard to win it all two years in a row.

I think the Lions are the favorite this year. Last year their D was decimated by injuries, and Campbell failed in getting them to take the Commanders seriously. They will never look past an opponent again, and I expect their D to be back at full strength. They will be a very tough out.

All that said, I'd like the Packers, behind a rejuvenated Love, to take down the Lions in week one. What an opportunity to set the tone for the season.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

Chicago added the most personnel. By far and away they just went after it in FA and did a nice job in the draft. Love the trade back in Day 2 that was a very smart move. That said Chicago also has the most to prove. It’s also not easy to go explode overnight from a 5 Win season. One thing I’ve learned in this league is it takes more than 1 Coach to only Win 5 games. It takes a community of problems. Once there’s a tangle it takes patience to untangle the knots. It’s too much to ask them to flip to a SB caliber team over an evening. Not impossible but highly improbable. 2026? Ok maybe. 2027 sure. Not to mention I think our Division has a brutal schedule strength. That favors the experienced teams.

All I know is my last coach was O and 18 on the road.......couldn't call a time out to save his life.........and............last season we lost five games on the last player of the game or in overtime so I really wouldn't see it is going 0 to 100 if they improve a whole bunch with a better coach and better game planning and just better everything.......Because Eberflus was a hot stinking pile of putrid gaaaaahhhhhhhbaaaaaaage!!!!!!!

 

[Pkrjones]

Going to be a brutal schedule for almost all of the NFC playoff teams from 2024. Whichever team makes it to the SB will be battle tested & should beat the AFC entrant, imho.

2025 NFL Strength of Schedule Rankings

Our NFL strength of schedule for the 2025 season ranks teams from the hardest schedule (New York Giants) to the easiest schedule (San Francisco 49ers) based on the cumulative 2024 record of their opponents in 2025.

eatdrinkandsleepfootball.com

 

[milani]

The Eagles did lose several good players. DT Milton Williams signed with the Patriots $26mil annual. Josh Sweat was traded out and signed with Arizona at $19m yearly.
Those are 2 dynamic players that left.

The Chargers stole away RG Mekhi Bekton also ON A $10mil annual deal. So Philly signed Matt Pryor from Chicago. Hardly an upgrade on a $1.3M annual deal. That’s the price you pay when you spend your *** retaining your best players. Extended Barkley and Lane Johnson and resigned Goedert at TE. That’s doing everything possible to keep the band together. Sweat played great for them last year that alone is a blow.

Safety Chauncey Gardner Johnson Jr. and CB Isaiah Rogers both signed 9M and $5.5mil annual deals elsewhere. LB Oren Burks went to Cleveland on a modest 2.5mil deal and I’ll give Philly an upgrade with #31 overall Jiihad Campbell at LB over Oren Burks. But honestly Burks has been playing solid and he’s not some Rookie he’s a veteran LB now. Maybe a slight upgrade at LB in 2025, but I doubt it’s that much better.
Then Philly Drafted Andrew Makuba at Safety at the close of RD2. I highly doubt he outplays Gardner Johnson’s loss this season. That’s a hard sell anyway.
Who’s replacing Sweats 60% snap count??? Ojulari? I’m not saying he’s awful but he’s not Josh Sweat not even close imo. Edge took a hit. CB took a hit. Safety took a hit. OG took a hit. I’m not suggesting they’ll fall apart but those cumulative losses outweigh their gains and it’s really not close.

I feared their LB Corp the most. Maybe this year they will not be as quick off the ball. They were such a good read and react defense. Their postseason sack on Stafford when the Rams were on the doorstep to win was probably their biggest play of the season.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The Eagles did lose several good players. DT Milton Williams signed with the Patriots $26mil annual. Josh Sweat was traded out and signed with Arizona at $19m yearly.
Those are 2 dynamic players that left.

The Chargers stole away RG Mekhi Bekton also ON A $10mil annual deal. So Philly signed Matt Pryor from Chicago. Hardly an upgrade on a $1.3M annual deal. That’s the price you pay when you spend your *** retaining your best players. Extended Barkley and Lane Johnson and resigned Goedert at TE. That’s doing everything possible to keep the band together. Sweat played great for them last year that alone is a blow.

Safety Chauncey Gardner Johnson Jr. and CB Isaiah Rogers both signed 9M and $5.5mil annual deals elsewhere. LB Oren Burks went to Cleveland on a modest 2.5mil deal and I’ll give Philly an upgrade with #31 overall Jiihad Campbell at LB over Oren Burks. But honestly Burks has been playing solid and he’s not some Rookie he’s a veteran LB now. Maybe a slight upgrade at LB in 2025, but I doubt it’s that much better.
Then Philly Drafted Andrew Makuba at Safety at the close of RD2. I highly doubt he outplays Gardner Johnson’s loss this season. That’s a hard sell anyway.
Who’s replacing Sweats 60% snap count??? Ojulari? I’m not saying he’s awful but he’s not Josh Sweat not even close imo. Edge took a hit. CB took a hit. Safety took a hit. OG took a hit. I’m not suggesting they’ll fall apart but those cumulative losses outweigh their gains and it’s really not close.

Something tells me the Eagles will be just fine. Siriani is a great HC and Roseman a very good GM.

 

[OldSchool101]

Something tells me the Eagles will be just fine. Siriani is a great HC and Roseman a very good GM.

They’ll be fine but they’ll back up some also. Nobody is completely discounting them they’re a great team. However imo we have a good chance of closing the gap. If our D shows up anything like last season? With moderate to average health I think our Roster is substantial. Like good enough to Win anywhere if we’re playing to expectation. Much of our season will ride on Love and how this revamped OL looks imo. We’ve got too many players that are more primed to elevate over deflate.
Again had we not botched to opening play we were in that Playoff game at their house. They got spotted the ball on play #1 at the GB28. That high powered team scored 15 points across near 4 quarters at Philly. Haf n Co don’t get enough props for keeping us in the game

 

[Heyjoe4]

I feared their LB Corp the most. Maybe this year they will not be as quick off the ball. They were such a good read and react defense. Their postseason sack on Stafford when the Rams were on the doorstep to win was probably their biggest play of the season.

I remember that play, in the snow with the Rams inside the Eagles' 20 I think. Then the Rams started going backwards in the face of that Philly D.

Philly has a great HC, a great GM, and above all, a great organization. Personally I can't stand the Eagles or their fans, but they're the champs until another team steps up. Might as well be the Packers.

 

[Heyjoe4]

They’ll be fine but they’ll back up some also. Nobody is completely discounting them they’re a great team. However imo we have a good chance of closing the gap. If our D shows up anything like last season? With moderate to average health I think our Roster is substantial. Like good enough to Win anywhere if we’re playing to expectation. Much of our season will ride on Love and how this revamped OL looks imo. We’ve got too many players that are more primed to elevate over deflate.
Again had we not botched to opening play we were in that Playoff game at their house. They got spotted the ball on play #1 at the GB28. That high powered team scored 15 points across near 4 quarters at Philly. Haf n Co don’t get enough props for keeping us in the game

I very much dislike reliving past losses. Even so, there is no way that kickoff fumble isn't a personal foul on Philly. I still think Philly wins, they were simply the best team in the NFL, but the Packers put on a good show, on the road.

I'm just taking the emotion out of it. Until someone eliminates, the champs, they're the champs. Philly will be in the mix again at the end of the playoffs this year. If the Packers want to prove they are better, they may get another chance.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

I remember that play, in the snow with the Rams inside the Eagles' 20 I think. Then the Rams started going backwards in the face of that Philly D.

Philly has a great HC, a great GM, and above all, a great organization. Personally I can't stand the Eagles or their fans, but they're the champs until another team steps up. Might as well be the Packers.

I also loathe Philly and their fans.....almost literally human gahbage!!!!

And this was before the double doink.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I also loathe Philly and their fans.....almost literally human gahbage!!!!

And this was before the double doink.

Did the double-doink happen against the Eagles? Oh man, that is insult on top of injury.

I remember the replay facing the goalpost and behind the kicker. The Bears mascot was standing right behind the goal posts. When the ball bounced twice, no good, the mascot held his head and simply fell down to his right. I thought it was hilarious. To a Bears' fan, just another heartbreak from the local team.

I think this is the year things start to change for da Bearz.

 

[milani]

They’ll be fine but they’ll back up some also. Nobody is completely discounting them they’re a great team. However imo we have a good chance of closing the gap. If our D shows up anything like last season? With moderate to average health I think our Roster is substantial. Like good enough to Win anywhere if we’re playing to expectation. Much of our season will ride on Love and how this revamped OL looks imo. We’ve got too many players that are more primed to elevate over deflate.
Again had we not botched to opening play we were in that Playoff game at their house. They got spotted the ball on play #1 at the GB28. That high powered team scored 15 points across near 4 quarters at Philly. Haf n Co don’t get enough props for keeping us in the game

A little competition in their division would help. Washington is a team that has improved. The GMen and Boys have been non-competitive.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

Did the double-doink happen against the Eagles? Oh man, that is insult on top of injury.

I remember the replay facing the goalpost and behind the kicker. The Bears mascot was standing right behind the goal posts. When the ball bounced twice, no good, the mascot held his head and simply fell down to his right. I thought it was hilarious. To a Bears' fan, just another heartbreak from the local team.

I think this is the year things start to change for da Bearz.

Yup

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yup

Ugh that was a tough loss, made worse with the Eagles involved. Sorry Caleb. Even a staunch Packer fan would feel the pain of that kick. We've had some painful missed kicks as well. And then against the Eagles, there was "4th and 26"?

Chicago has had more than its share of misery. Well at least they have a SB ring. Lions and Queens still looking.

The past is the past. Should be one helluva year in the NFC North.

 

[Heyjoe4]

A little competition in their division would help. Washington is a team that has improved. The GMen and Boys have been non-competitive.

Agreed. The Commanders snuck up on a lot of people last year - most notably the Lions. But Daniels is a very good QB and shoed a lot of poise. for a rookie. They had a solid offseason. They won't, or shouldn't, be sneaking up on anyone this year. They will be a tough out.

What a change since scumbag Snyder left town.

 

[rmontro]

Ugh that was a tough loss, made worse with the Eagles involved. Sorry Caleb. Even a staunch Packer fan would feel the pain of that kick.

I was on the floor.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I was on the floor.

I mean, as a Packers' fan, it was sort of hilarious to see the hapless Bears pull off another hapless ending. And if I recall, the kick was shorter than a PAT, so it was less than 35 yards.

For Bears' fans, just another way to get their collective heart broken. Packer fans know the feeling.

But "double-doink"? Makes "4th and 26" feel good by comparison. Those sayings just never go away.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

Don't get me wrong. I think Jayden Daniels is good, but he's a very athletic one read and throw quarterback.
Defenses are going to figure out how to make him uncomfortable......and unless he learns how to progress to his second and third receiver in a timely fashion without getting sacked, we'll see, but I don't think I'm wrong and I think he's in for a sophomore slump....

 

[Calebs Revenge]

I mean, as a Packers' fan, it was sort of hilarious to see the hapless Bears pull off another hapless ending. And if I recall, the kick was shorter than a PAT, so it was less than 35 yards.

For Bears' fans, just another way to get their collective heart broken. Packer fans know the feeling.

But "double-doink"? Makes "4th and 26" feel good by comparison. Those sayings just never go away.

It's was like 43 yards. It's dirty on your floor I bet lol.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

2 words........Ben Johnson.

 

[gopkrs]

Agreed. The Commanders snuck up on a lot of people last year - most notably the Lions. But Daniels is a very good QB and shoed a lot of poise. for a rookie. They had a solid offseason. They won't, or shouldn't, be sneaking up on anyone this year. They will be a tough out.

What a change since scumbag Snyder left town.

I'm not so sure the commanders snuck up on anyone. They just looked very good to me. And they have gotten better this offseason. I'll be very surprised if Daniels has any kind of a slump. He runs a lot so he could get hurt though. And him running is a big reason why they looked good.

 

[OldSchool101]

speaking of the NFC EAST. It appears the Cowboys biggest losses were CB Jourdan Lewis and DE Demarcus Lawrence. Lawrence barely played though last year (12%) so can’t really factor that as much in as far as regression..A Dallas player that might contribute because of Jourdan departure is Shavon Revel in RD3. Had he not missed last season (knee cap) he was likely an easy Top 50 selection. Small sample but he’s a very talented cover CB with great length and very athletic.
Lawrence was replaced with Ezeiruaku. In 2024 alone The Boston College DE registered 21 TFL and 16.5 Sacks. He’s a menace and he’ll show up early.

OG Tyler Booker (#12 overall) is an immediate starter on OL. So that was a sound upgrade for them.

A little competition in their division would help. Washington is a team that has improved. The GMen and Boys have been non-competitive.

The Giants upgraded at QB, Edge and Safety, CB and DL. Abdul Carter, Darius Alexander are formidable draft upgrades on Defense. They signed DE Gholston ($6m) away from Dallas.
Then brought in formidable upgrades with CB Paulson Adebo + Safety Jevon Holland.

Also notable is they completely switched out their QB room with Russell Wilson, Day1 Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston. Then they plugged DL, LB and OL with some modest veteran signings. Last year they felt the absence of their star RB so they signed Skattebo to open RD4. He is only the 2nd RB in Big 12 history to notch 1,500+ rushing and 500+ receiving in a season (2024). He’s likely to get a chance early and often to see how he translates.

Giants won’t finish with 3 Wins that ain’t happening. I suspect they’ll struggle some finding their footing in a good division, but more in the 6-9 Wins category. Russell might not be at prime but he’s still a savvy veteran QB. The East got better around Philly so that helps us some. Intra Division teams are almost always a problem and they become more of a problem with lots of $$ and draft picks thrown into the mix (Chicago/NYG) etc.

 

[milani]

Yup

There have been heartbreakers. The one that still sits in my head is that chip shot the Vikings had on that bitter cold day in Minnesota against Seattle. I still hear Paul Allen shouting " The season can't end this way. " But it did.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I'm not so sure the commanders snuck up on anyone. They just looked very good to me. And they have gotten better this offseason. I'll be very surprised if Daniels has any kind of a slump. He runs a lot so he could get hurt though. And him running is a big reason why they looked good.

Yeah Daniels is gonna be fine. He is a little lean for a running QB, so injury is always a concern, but has great poise in the pocket and progresses well through his reads - pretty remarkable for a rookie. I very much doubt he sees a slump this season, quite the opposite. His receivers are good, and he may not have to rely as much on running.

And if Bears' fans are still feeling the sting of that Hail Mary defeat, well they should encourage all of their corners on the field to stay engaged with the play until it's over. The Bears didn't lose 10 in a row last season by accident.

 

[Heyjoe4]

2 words........Ben Johnson.

2 words - So what?

 

[Calebs Revenge]

Yeah Daniels is gonna be fine. He is a little lean for a running QB, so injury is always a concern, but has great poise in the pocket and progresses well through his reads - pretty remarkable for a rookie. I very much doubt he sees a slump this season, quite the opposite. His receivers are good, and he may not have to rely as much on running.

And if Bears' fans are still feeling the sting of that Hail Mary defeat, well they should encourage all of their corners on the field to stay engaged with the play until it's over. The Bears didn't lose 10 in a row last season by accident.

Yeah...... it's almost like we had the dumbest coach in the league trying to lose on purpose ha ha ha ha ha....