2020 NFL predictions: Who will win the NFC North?

In the past three seasons, three different NFC North teams have won the division. In 2017, the Minnesota Vikings rode a 13-3 record to a division title and an NFC Championship appearance. The following year, the Chicago Bears burst onto the scene with a suffocating defense that led to a dominant 12-4 year. Last season, it was the Green Bay Packers’ turn to take grasp on the NFC North, with a 13-3 record and another conference championship appearance.

It’s the Detroit Lions’ turn to take their seat atop the division, but history has skipped their turn for the past three decades. Even after their 3-12-1 season, some prediction models view the Lions as favorites to win the division. But how is our staff feeling about it?

Here are our pick for 2020 NFC North Champion:

Previously

• Offensive MVP
• Defensive MVP
• Rookie of the Year

Who will win the NFC North?

Chris Perfett: Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are perhaps the best of the terrible teams of this division. Picking up Yannick Ngakoue definitely creates problems for quarterbacks in this division, and they have the tools to stop up the run. Their offense may be floundering a bit, but as long as Dalvin Cook remains healthy they can still keep things competitive. Overall though, they just simply have the fewest flaws compared to the Lions, Bears and Packers.

John Whiticar: Minnesota Vikings

I think the Minnesota Vikings will win the NFC North. They are going all-in this year, and despite trading away Stefon Diggs, the offense remains a serious threat. The defense, meanwhile, just added Yannick Ngakoue. Mike Zimmer is going to do what he usually does and build a great defense. The Packers are a good team, but it feels like they wasted their draft class, opting to build for the future.

Hamza Baccouche: Detroit Lions

Screw it, I’ll drink the Kool Aid. The Lions, but only because every other team will be bad, not because Detroit is any good. This just has the vibe of a year they can sneak in at 9-7 or something of the likes. With the Lions’ luck, they’ll go 8-8 and the Packers or Vikings will sneak in at 8-7-1.

Kyle Yost: Green Bay Packers

Not to keep living in the past, but I was the only staff member to correctly pick the Packers last season. As long as Aaron Rodgers is starting, I think the Packers are much closer to first than third, and 2019 reminded everyone of what this team can be. It pains me to say it, but I see another division title for the cheeseheads.

Mike Payton: Detroit Lions

As time has progressed, we’ve seen every other team in the NFC North get arguably worse while the Lions have gotten arguably better. The Packers will be a challenge, as will the Vikings. But in the end, it’s the Lions that win the NFC North for the first time ever in 2020.

Andrew Kato: Minnesota Vikings

Zimmer’s Minnesota Vikings are going to sack everyone into oblivion. YOU LIKE THAT?

Ryan Mathews: Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions. Book it. Sup, Freezing Cold Takes?

Kellie Rowe: Green Bay Packers

Boy this division is looking wide open at this point. I don’t have the strongest of takes here at this point. If I had to choose, I’d go Packers (and their new right tackle Rick Wagner). I think Aaron Rodgers is out to prove something in his 16th year.

Justin Simon: Minnesota Vikings

I want to say the Lions so badly, but I just can’t do it. I’m going with Minnesota. That said, I think this division is wide open, and any one of the teams could go 10-6 or 6-10 depending on how the season goes. The Lions should have beaten the Packers twice last season. The Bears are in quarterback purgatory. And the Vikings are trying to construct a mini-rebuild while they still can. It’s going to be a fun season in the NFC North.

Jeremy Reisman: Minnesota Vikings

Yes, the Vikings lost Stefon Diggs, Xavier Rhodes, Everson Griffen, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Linval Joseph and Andrew Sendejo, among others. But they’ actually done a pretty magnificent job keeping some of their more crucial defensive pieces on their roster.

Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendrick and Harrison Smith all remain on defense. The Vikings also have a boatload of rookies this year that could make an impact. Oh, and a Yannick Ngakoue is going to fit perfectly in a Mike Zimmer-coached defense.

Offensively, this is still a very dangerous, well-balanced team, even without Diggs. Top to bottom, this is just the most talented roster, and I think they could do much more than just win the division.