NFC North
Chicago Bears: 12-5
The Chicago Bears win the NFC North for the second year in a row in our updated predictions. General Manager Ryan Poles brought in a plethora of new faces on the defensive side of the ball, and Caleb Williams likely being way more comfortable in the offense heading into 2026 could also yield better results from that side of the ball.
You definitely still worry about the pass rush, but that doesn't mean the offense and backend of the defense can't be better. Chicago builds on their breakout 2025 season here.
Green Bay Packers: 12-5
The NFC North might shakeout as one of the league's best divisions again. The Green Bay Packers win 12 games in our predictions but come in second place. The Packers do appear to have a lot going for them, but they've been stuck in this 'good, not great' tier for years now. Getting to 12-5 would break them out of the tier a bit, but it'd not be enough to win the division, as this would come down to tiebreakers.
Detroit Lions: 12-5
A trio of 12-5 teams in the NFC North? Yep, and the Detroit Lions get the short end of the stick in our predictions. The Lions going 12-5 would almost certainly mean the defense played a bit better, as we have all seen this offense near the top of the NFL. Despite finishing third in the NFC North here, the Lions should be able to squeak into the postseason.
Minnesota Vikings: 8-9
While it's reasonable to think that the 2025 Minnesota Vikings, a team that went 9-8, could win more games with an upgrade at QB, things don't always work as seamlessly as that in the NFL. The Vikings simply might not have enough wins available to them with the division being as loaded as it is in our predictions.
It's an 8-9, fourth place finish for Minnesota.
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