It could be anyone’s division title to take in 2026-2027, as arguably the NFL’s toughest collection of teams will trade blows in the NFC North
By Matthew Serocki | July 12, 2026
The Chicago Bears joined the elites of the NFC in head coach Ben Johnson’s first season at the helm. Caleb Williams dazzled fans with several comeback wins despite average personal stats. Chicago finished 11-6, followed by Green Bay at 9-7-1. Both Minnesota and Detroit finished with a 9-8 record.
The NFC North is the only division that can boast of having every team finishing over .500. To offset that, the entire NFC South finished under .500, with division winner Carolina sporting an 8-9 mark.
Johnson’s departure, compounded with a severe rash of injuries, took the wind out of the Lions’ sails. Green Bay fell short of expectations, as evidenced by a tie with the Dallas Cowboys. The Micah Parsons trade added to optimism, but he was injured soon after the trade.
Both the Bears and Packers made the postseason, with the Bears beating the Cheeseheads in the Wildcard Round. Chicago then fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. With all the changes made in the offseason, who will survive and stand atop the NFC North mountain? The following are predictions for each team’s finish.
1. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (DIVISION WINNER)
Sam Darnold resurrected his career in his one season in Minnesota and O’Connell’s offense. Kyler Murray, a former top pick, was signed with hopes of doing the same. Murray has more gifts than Darnold and may have just needed more stability from an organization.
The Vikings could have won the division with competent play under center for 18 weeks. Despite some inept and ugly play, JJ McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter as the Vikings ended the year on a five-game winning streak. This included wins over Dallas, Detroit, and Green Bay.
The offense should hum provided Murray stays healthy and can pick up the offense rather quickly. Adding Jauan Jennings to the pass-catching group should give Murray another reliable target. Justin Jefferson must have been licking his chops when Murray signed.
Brian Flores’ defense was third overall in total defense (286.2 yards per game) and seventh in points per game allowed (19.6). Having the best defense gives the Vikings a leg up, but the squad did lose safety Harrison Smith (retired), and defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.
With those two on the line, however, Minnesota was 21st against run (124.1), but second against the pass. With stability under center that could lead to more sustained drives, the player losses shouldn’t be as severe.
2. GREEN BAY PACKERS
There’s no question that every game between division rivals will be dogfights. Green Bay split with Chicago, losing to the Bears in overtime in Week 16. The offense will have some weeks where Jordan Love tosses three touchdowns and over 300 yards. It’ll also have games where he throws for under 150 yards but the team rushes for 150 yards.
Getting tight end Tucker Kraft back will do wonders for an offense without a defined top wide receiver. He was having a Pro Bowl season before his injury. The defense was middle of the pack before the Parsons trade, but was obviously better with him in the lineup.
He’ll likely miss close to half of the year, but hopefully be back with Green Bay in the thick of the division race. Despite losing edge Rashan Gary and linebacker, holes were filled with tackling machine Zaire Franklin from the Colts.
The defense will dominate some weeks after finishing 12th overall in total defense (311.8 yards per game. The Packers finished 13th in points per game allowed (21.2), 18th against the run (117.7), and 11th against the pass (194.1).
3. CHICAGO BEARS
Ben Johnson was unapologetic about his dislike for the Packers. The Bears were riding high after winning the division and beating Green Bay in the playoffs. The problem is that they cannot rely on having so many late-game comebacks in 2026.
The offense will still be the strength even after trading DJ Moore to Buffalo. Luther Burden and Rome Odunze will be backed by the one-two punch of Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet at tight end. The running game will lead the offense and open up holes for Williams.
Despite the excitement after last year’s success, much of it will be hard to repeat. The Bears barely beat teams like Las Vegas (25-24), Washington (25-24), the Giants (24-20), and Cincinnati (47-42). Wins over the Packers, Steelers, and Eagles were nice, but those weren’t the best versions of those teams.
The defense will ultimately decide how far Chicago can go in 2026. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safeties Kevin Byard and Jonathan Owens are gone, but they didn’t lead a top-level unit. The defense finished 29th in total yards and 25th in PPG allowed (24.4). Offenses gashed the Bears on the ground at 134.5 yards per game.
Chicago was slightly better against the pass, finishing 22nd. Adding linebacker Devin Bush makes up for Edmunds’ loss. Coby Bryant could help the secondary, but there’s a lot that has to go right again in 2026 for Chicago to repeat.
4. DETROIT LIONS
Detroit entered 2025 with new offensive and defensive coordinators after Johnson took the Chicago head coaching job and Aaron Glenn did the same with the New York Jets. As if that wasn’t enough to overcome, injuries deterred most of Detroit’s season. Most decimated the defense, putting the Lions 14th against the run (114.5) and 20th against the pass (217.4).
Health should lead to more success this year, but the division will be tough yet again. Detroit’s defense has to do better than ranking 24th in PPG allowed (24.3). Chicago was only slightly worse but managed to find a way to the division crown. The offense will lead the way again, even with Isaiah Pacheco replacing David Montgomery.
Getting tight end Sam LaPorta back will help, as will stability with health across the defense. Even with those factors, the rest of the division improved, leaving a small gap between top and bottom.
Matt Serocki is a freelance journalist based outside of Boston, Massachusetts. He’s been an avid NFL and MLB fan for over 35 years, and his favorite teams are the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Washington Commanders.
Matt also writes about professional wrestling for Sportskeeda.
