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NFC North
Current Odds to win division, per Betonline.ag
Key Free Agency Additions: Bringing in: Sammy Watkins WR, Jarran Reed DT. Bringing Back: De’vondre Campbell LB, Rasul Douglas CB, Robert Tonyan TE
Strength of Schedule: 22nd hardest per CBSsports
Key takeaways:
- Need for true Number 1 receiver
- Too much on Rodgers shoulders
- Learning curve for young receivers may take time
- -170 is a fade with Vikings upside
It is going to be a very interesting year for the Packers. Losing arguably the best receiver in the league (Davante Adams) to the Raiders, has left their receiving corps mediocre at best. For a lot of teams this type of loss would be detrimental to an organization. However, when you have the back-to-back league MVP as your QB it doesn’t sting….as much. Rodgers will still be able to elevate the talent around him and be successful. A big question to be answered is 1. Will it be sustainable and 2. Are the packers going to still bring in another Free Agent WR?.
We know their defense can get up in big moments especially with their environment at home, their running game is exceptional with one-two punch of Jones and Dillon, but the receiving game has taken a step back. It is a passing league and top guys such as Watkins, Cobb, and Lazard have always been great complimentary players in their own right. Packers are hoping to see strides be made sooner than later with drafted rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. It will take time to build that relationship with Rodgers and also be able to handle the pressure that comes with it. Packers will be competitive, Rodgers will be great, but I say fade the Packers long-term this season.
Projected Record: 10-7
Key Free Agency Additions: Bringing in: Jesse Davis G, Za’Darius Smith OLB, Nate Hairston CB, Austin Schlottmann G, Jordan Hicks LB, John Mundt TE, Harrison Phillips DT, Chandon Sullivan CB. Bringing Back: Patrick Peterson CB
Strength of Schedule: 20th hardest per CBSsports
Key takeaways:
- New Coaching Hire=immediate success
- Cousins has to have best season of career to win
- Defense will be better
- +225 is great value long term
It is a new season in Minnesota and hopefully a different result. FINALLY Mike Zimmer got the boot and the Vikings bring in Kevin O’Connell (previously OC for Rams) to “right the (long)ship”. Last season we saw the Vikings go 8-9 with an offense that constantly struggled and never reached it’s full potential correlated to the talent on paper. A coaching change was needed, and what better than the OC who just won a Super Bowl utilizing some of the best offensive talent in the league. Time will tell if Kevin O’Connell was the missing piece to jump start this sputtering offense, but I love the direction/potential.
Despite the primetime story lines Cousins has been rather solid and an above average QB in the league during his time in Minnesota (stat wise). He has a lot of upside but his career records do not indicate that what-so-ever. Cousins has only eclipsed double digit wins one time in his entire career going 10-6. A lot of close games last year that could have swung the other way came down to coaching inefficiencies and high scoring shootouts. Defensively the Vikings loaded up during free agency getting key players to impact the starting line up now, especially at linebacker and in their secondary.
The changes the Vikings have made this offseason I think have ultimately made them a better team. For them to win this division they have to get to at minimum 11 wins and that is something Cousins has never done in his career. I am a believer in the talent in this team and what Cousins is capable of. The value is there for the Vikings to make a push here and for the Packers to take a step back this season.
Projected record: 11-6
