5 burning questions in the NFC North
The NFC North could be wide open for the 2020 NFL Season. We take a look at five questions which hang in the balance.
5. What is the mood of Aaron Rodgers?
It’s logical to start here with both the NFC North and Green Bay Packers. Last year, the cheeseheads won the division at 13-3 and went to the NFC Championship Game before being trounced by the San Francisco 49ers. Instead of improving the roster around All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the front office drafted his replacement, Jordan Love.
Does this fuel Rodgers to have the best year of his career, or is there bitterness and acrimony in the air? If it’s the former, the NFL should be terrified. It’s the latter, it could divide the team.
Want $250 to bet on NFL futures?
4. Will Matthew Stafford stay healthy in Detroit?Â
In two of the last three seasons, Stafford has been hurt for significant chunks of time. However, when he’s been healthy, he has still been one of the better quarterbacks in the league. Last year, Stafford was on pace to eclipse 5,000 passing yards before missing the final six games of the campaign due to back surgery.
Should Stafford stay on the field for 16 games, Detroit has another weaponry to beat some teams and remain competitive in the NFC North.
3. Can Justin Jefferson replace Stefon Diggs?
This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings sent receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for myriad draft picks, including a first-round choice. To replace Diggs, Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman selected LSU’s Justin Jefferson with said first-rounder.
Jefferson comes off an incredible year with the national champion-Tigers, notching 1,540 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. It won’t be easy taking over as a starter on a team with expectations, but Jefferson must if the Vikings want to make the playoffs again.
2. Who is the starting quarterback for Chicago?
Choose your fighter: Nick Foles or Mitchell Trubisky?
Read: Barred From Canada, Blue Jays Talking To Pirates About Sharing Facilities
Foles came over from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade this winter, costing general manager Ryan Pace a fourth-round pick. Meanwhile, a few months later, Chicago declined Trubisky’s fifth-year option, making him a free agent after this season. It seems those two facts point towards Foles being the starter, but should he falter in camp, Trubisky may have the opening needed.
1. Are the Packers going to regress?
This is the biggest question and then some. Many felt the Packers overachieved considerably at 13-3. If they did, the division becomes a wide-open race. If not, Chicago and Minnesota become prime challengers while the Lions are the darkhorse.
Green Bay has the best quarterback which typically tips the scales, but as alluded to above, he could come with issues this season.
