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Chicago Bears: 5 Reasons they’re NFC North sleepers in 2018

By Cody Williams

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /
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2. Questions throughout the division

Most people look at the NFC North heading into the 2018 season and see one of the strongest divisions in the league. That’s a fair assessment, which would obviously make the Bears’ chances of emerging as a sleeper much less likely. However, it’s also not a foregone conclusion that the Packers, Vikings and Lions will be as great as many seem to be writing them in to be.

In the case of the Packers, the return of Aaron Rodgers is obviously a huge plus for them. What’s more, their offense added weapons this offseason and could be devastatingly good. However, this is also a team with some issues. The offensive line has question marks following recent departures and injuries that have plagued them. Meanwhile, the defense is going to be relying heavily on young players to step up, which is always a tricky proposition.

Moving on, the Vikings were a game away from the Super Bowl last season and did nothing but upgrade at quarterback by signing Kirk Cousins in free agency. Yet, who is to say that Cousins will immediately upgrade the team as a whole? There is a rapport that must be built between a quarterback and his offense, and that could well take some time. Thus, it’s not a certainty that Minnesota immediately is even better than they were a year ago.

As for the Lions, there is hope that new head coach Matt Patricia will be able to turn things around and get them over the hump. As with Green Bay though, there are still questions about the overall talent of this Detroit defense. What’s more, the offense is going to look different — likely with more focus on the run game — than it has in year’s past.

All of this is to say that the rest of the NFC North has high upside with the chance for every team to be in the playoff mix. However, you shouldn’t discount the notion that these teams also have the chance of things going not-according-to-plan, thus opening the door for the Bears.

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