NFC North 2021 NFL Preview: Super Bowl or bust for Rodgers, Packers?

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers discusses what why it's "title town, championship or disappointment" mentality for he and his teammates heading into the 2021-22 NFL season.

The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams in the lead-up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 9.

Today, we look at the NFC North. (Teams are listed in the order in which we believe they’ll finish in the 2021 standings.)

GREEN BAY PACKERS

2020 record: 13-3, lost to Buccaneers in NFC Championship

Roster additions: WR Randall Cobb, CB Eric Stokes (drafted 29th overall), C Josh Myers (62nd overall), G/OT Royce Newman (142nd overall), OT Dennis Kelly, LB De'Vondre Campbell

Roster subtractions: G Lane Taylor, C Corey Linsley, OT Ricky Wagner, LB Christian Kirksey, DT Montravius Adams, DT Damon Harrison, RB Jamaal Williams

The good news: Aaron Rodgers is back! It wasn't exactly the easiest of off-seasons for the Packers or their fans. With the exception of, apparently, Rodgers himself, this was a summer of stressing over whether the MVP quarterback would, in fact, be back at Lambeau after the draft-night bombshell that he no longer wanted to play in Green Bay. Rodgers is coming off his third MVP season, which saw him tally 4,299 yards and hit a career-high 48 touchdowns while tossing only five interceptions. His favourite target, Davante Adams, is back and so is RB1 Aaron Jones, while management gifted their QB his old pal Randall Cobb. Changes along the offensive line could make for a few early-season stumbles, but a strong defence will take some pressure off Rodgers & Co. and looks poised to take this team far.

The bad news: Aaron Rodgers is back... *clears throat*... for now. The QB's reworked contract essentially sets the stage for a departure next off-season, which means it's entirely possible we're about to witness Rodgers' Lambeau swan song, with perhaps some painful days waiting on the horizon. Can he go out on top? What a parting gift that would be. In the meantime, let's all try to enjoy the ride.

2021 prediction: 12-5; Rodgers leads Green Bay to the Super Bowl. (Oh, the drama!)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

2020 record: 7-9, third in NFC North; missed playoffs

Roster additions: WR Dede Westbrook, C Mason Cole, DE Stephen Weatherly, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Sheldon Richardson, CB Patrick Peterson, CB Mackensie Alexander, S Xavier Woods, LB Nick Vigil, OT Christian Darrisaw (drafted 23rd overall)

Roster subtractions: TE Kyle Rudolph, OT Riley Reiff, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, DT Shamar Stephen, LB Eric Wilson, CB Mike Hughes, S Anthony Harris

The good news: The Vikings' toughest opponent last season was the injury bug, which seriously hindered the defence and made Minnesota's life miserable on that side of the ball. This year brings a fresh start for the strong group, and a clean bill of health for star defensive end Danielle Hunter, who missed all of 2020 after undergoing neck surgery.

The bad news: With the defence looking strong, and the return of offensive stars like Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen, these Vikings are a very complete club. However! Kirk Cousins is still the QB, and that should still give people pause. Cousins has shown his ability to put up solid numbers in the regular season, but hasn't given fans or management -- or, as we've seen at times, even his own teammates -- much reason to believe he's the right guy to take this team deep into the playoffs. There's a limit to this club's potential.

2021 prediction: 10-7, lose in wild card matchup

CHICAGO BEARS

2020 record: 8-8; snuck into playoffs but lost to Saints in wild card

Roster additions: QB Justin Fields (drafted 11th overall), QB Andy Dalton, RB Damien Williams, TE Jesse James, OT Teven Jenkins (39th), OT Elijah Wilkinson, CB Desmond Trufant, LB Christian Jones, DT Angelo Blackson, OLB Jerry Attaochu

Roster subtractions: QB Mitchell Trubisky, WR Anthony Miller, OT Charles Leno, OT Bobby Massie, CB Kyle Fuller, CB Artie Burns, CB Buster Skrine, S Tashaun Gipson, KR Cordarrelle Patterson

The good news: Justin Fields is the future, and that should make Bears fans really excited. After watching Chicago struggle to find their guy, starting a rotating cast of QBs over the last several seasons, it's possible we could see some much-needed continuity at the position. No one should be happier about that than Allen Robinson, who has an opportunity to finally catch a pass from a true QB1. Can Fields instantly turn this team around? Probably not. The offensive line is weak, and his weapons aren't exactly plentiful, but if Fields can show potential, the Bears finally have the go-ahead to build something strong and sustainable.

The bad news: Looks like we'll have to wait for Fields to play, as the Bears stay true to their decision to start Andy Dalton in Week 1. We've already heard the boos rain down on Dalton in pre-season (unfairly, of course) as Chicagoans want to see Fields take the field. The worst thing the Bears can do is replicate last season's QB carousel, but with Dalton, Fields, and Nick Foles in the mix, that sort of feels like a possibility -- especially considering the Bears face the third-toughest schedule in the league.

2021 prediction: 7-10; a step back in the standings doesn't phase Bears fans because Fields is legit

DETROIT LIONS

2020 record: 5-11, missed playoffs

Roster additions: Head coach Dan Campbell, QB Jared Goff, OT Penei Sewell (drafted seventh overall), DT Levi Onwuzurike (41st), RB Jamaal Williams, WR Tyrell Williams, TE Josh Hill, TE Darren Fells, DE Charles Harris, DT Michael Brockers, LB Alex Anzalone

Roster subtractions: QB Matthew Stafford, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Marvin Jones, WR Danny Amendola, RB Adrian Peterson, RB Kerryon Johnson, TE Jesse James, CB Desmond Trufant, CB Justin Coleman, CB Darryl Roberts, S Duron Harmon, G Joe Dahl, G Oday Aboushi, C Russell Bodine, DE Everson Griffen, DT Danny Shelton, LB Jarrad Davis, LB Christian Jones, LB Reggie Ragland, K Matt Prater

The good news: This guy is your new head coach:

The bad news: The not-so-fun side of a rebuild is the tear-down, which is what Lions fans already know all too well. A downgrade at QB (Jared Goff) and a dearth of offensive weapons for him isn't exactly a recipe for many wins, and watching former franchise face Matthew Stafford thrive in L.A. won't make things any easier. But with this rebuild comes an identity and a culture shift, and that's half the battle. Hopefully it sticks this time.

2021 prediction: 4-13; Campbell & Co. build up confidence (and a strong O-line) in Detroit

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