Saturday, August 13, 2016

NFL Team-by-Team Preview - NFC North

Chicago Bears

2015 Record
6-10-0
2015 Divisional Standing
4th NFC North
Head Coach
John Fox

2015 Top Passers

  • Jay Cutler - 15 games, 64.4 completion percentage (cmp%), 3659 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs, 92.3 passer rating
  • Jimmy Clausen - 2 games, 57.5 cmp%, 184 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 58.8 passer rating

2015 Top Rushers

  • Matt Forte - 898 yards, 4 TDs, 4.1 yards/attempt (y/a), 1 fumble lost
  • Jeremy Langford -537 yards,  6 TDs, 3.6 y/a, 0 fumbles lost

2015 Top Receivers

  • Alshon Jeffery - 54 receptions, 807 yards, 14.9 avg, 4 TDs, 190 yards after catch (YAC)
  • Marquess Wilson - 28 receptions, 464 yards, 16.6 avg, 1 TD, 191 YAC
  • TE Martellus Bennett - 53 receptions, 439 yards, 8.3 avg, 226 YAC

2015 Top Defensive Performers

  • LB Christian Jones - 86 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss (TFL)
  • LB Shea McClellin - 81 total tackles, 2 TFL, 1 forced fumble (FF)
  • CB Kyle Fuller - 55 total tackles, 2 INTs
  • LB Lamarr Houston - 42 total tackles, 1 TFL, 8.0 sacks

2015 Notes

  • RB Matt Forte signed with the Jets
  • Offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod signed with Miami
  • DE Jarvis Jenkins signed with the Jets
  • LB Shea McLellin signed with New England
  • LB LaRoy Reynolds signed with Atlanta
  • TE Martellus Bennett was traded to New England

2016 Draft Results

RD 1, no. 9
Leonard Floyd
OLB
Georgia
RD 2, no. 56
Cody Whitehair
G
Kansas State
RD 3, no. 72
Jonathan Bullard
DE
Florida
RD 4, no. 114
Nick Kwiatkowski
ILB
West Virginia
RD 4, no. 124
Deon Bush
S
Miami
RD 4, no. 127
Deiondre’ Hall
CB
Northern Iowa
RD 5, no. 150
Jordan Howard
RB
Indian
RD 6, no. 185
DeAndre Houston-Carson
S
William & Mary
RD 7, no. 230
Daniel Braverman
WR
Western Michigan

Free Agent Pickups

  • QB Brian Hoyer signed from Houston
  • QB Connor Shaw claimed off waivers from Cleveland
  • C Ted Larsen signed from Arizona
  • T Bobby Massie signed from Arizona
  • Offensive lineman Amini Silatolu signed from Carolina
  • T Mike Adams signed from Pittsburgh
  • LB Danny Trevathan signed from Denver
  • LB Jerrell Freeman signed from Indianapolis

2016 Schedule

Week
Date
Opponent
My Guess
1
9/11
@ Houston
L
2
9/19
Vs Philadelphia
W
3
9/25
@ Dallas
L
4
10/2
Vs Detroit
W
5
10/9
@ Indianapolis
L
6
10/16
Vs Jacksonville
L
7
10/20
@ Green Bay
L
8
10/31
Vs Minnesota
W
9
Bye
Week

10
11/13
@ Tampa Bay                  
L
11
11/20
@ New York Giants
L
12
11/27
Vs Tennessee
W
13
12/4
Vs San Francisco
W
14
12/11
@ Detroit
L
15
12/18
Vs Green Bay
L
16
12/24
Vs Washington
L
17
1/1
@ Minnesota
L

2016 Outlook

  • The Chicago Bears continued their run of sub-.500 seasons in 2015 by going 6-10.  However, there were some bright spots on the rosters as QB Jay Cutler played quite well when he was able stay on his feet as he was sacked 29 times last season.  The Bears also have a group of talented wide receivers, led by Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White.  For the Bears to take advantage of this talent, they need to do whatever they can to protect Cutler.  They attempted to remedy this by drafting G Cody Whitehair in the 2nd Round and signing two free agents to help bolster the line.  The Bears' defense was better last season, led by their secondary and the front seven looks to be stronger this season by drafting LB Leonard Floyd in the 1st Round and signing to more linebackers who look to start.  I think the Bears will repeat their record of 5-11 but will have a better on-field product.

Detroit Lions

2015 Record
7-9-0
2015 Divisional Standing
3rd NFC North
Head Coach
Jim Caldwell

2015 Top Passers

  • Matthew Stafford - 67.2 cmp%, 4262 yards, 32 TDs, 13 INTs, 97.0 passer rating

2015 Top Rushers

  • Ameer Abdullah - 597 yards, 2 TDs, 4.2 y/a, 2 fumbles lost
  • Joique Bell - 311 yards, 4 TDs, 3.5 y/a, 0 fumbles lost

2015 Top Receivers

  • Calvin Johnson - 88 receptions, 1214 yards, 13.8 avg, 9 TDs, 285 YAC
  • Golden Tate - 90 receptions, 814 yards, 9.0 avg, 6 TDs, 525 YAC
  • RB Theo Riddick - 80 receptions, 697 yards, 8.7 avg, 3 TDs, 628 YAC

2015 Top Defensive Performers

  • LB Stephen Tulloch - 107 total tackles, 8 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 FF
  • LB Josh Byrnes - 82 total tackles, 5 TFL, .5 sacks, 1 FF
  • S Glover Quin - 67 total tackles, 4 INTs, 1 FF
  • DE Ezekiel Ansah - 47 total tackles, 3 TFL, 14.5 sacks, 4 FF

2015 Notes

  • WR Lance Moore signed with Atlanta
  • G Manny Ramirez signed with Chicago
  • DE Jason Jones signed with Miami
  • DE Darryl Topp signed with New Orleans
  • LB Travis Lewis signed with Minnesota
  • DB Isa Abdul Quddus signed with Miami
  • WR Calvin Johnson retired
  • DB Rashean Mathis retired
  • Released LB Stephen Tulloch
  • Released RB Joique Bell

2016 Draft Results

RD 1, no. 16
Taylor Decker
OT
Ohio State
RD 2, no. 46
A’Shawn Robinson
DT
Alabama
RD 3, no. 95
Graham Glasgow
C
Michigan
RD 4, no. 111
Miles Killebrew
S
Southern Utah
RD 5, no. 151
Joe Dahl
G
Washington State
RD 5, no. 169
Antwoine Williams
LB
Georgia Southern
RD 6, no. 191
Jake Rudock
QB
Michigan
RD 6, no. 202
Anthony Zettel
DT
Penn State
RD 6, no. 210
Jimmy Landes
LS
Baylor
RD 7, no. 236
Dewayne Washington
RB
Washington

Free Agent Pickups

  • RB Steven Ridley signed from the Jets
  • WR Marvin Jones signed from Cincinnati
  • WR Anquan Boldin signed from San Francisco
  • WR Jeremy Kerley signed from the Jets
  • WR Andre Roberts signed from Washington
  • WR Andre Caldwell signed from Denver
  • TE Cole Wick signed as an undrafted free agent
  • G Geoff Schwartz signed from the Giants
  • DE Wallace Gilberry signed from Cincinnati
  • DT Stefan Charles signed from Buffalo
  • LB Jonathan Bostic acquired in a trade with New England
  • LB Jerry Franklin signed from New Orleans
  • SS Rafael Bush signed from New Orleans
  • CB Darrin Walls signed from the Jets
  • S Tavon Wilson signed form New England

2016 Schedule

Week
Date
Opponent
My Guess
1
9/11
@ Indianapolis
L
2
9/18
Vs Tennessee
W
3
9/25
@ Green Bay
L
4
10/2
@ Chicago
L
5
10/9
Vs Philadelphia
W
6
10/16
Vs Los Angeles
W
7
10/23
Vs Washington
W
8
10/30
@ Houston
L
9
11/6
@ Minnesota
L
10
Bye
Week

11
11/20
Vs Jacksonville
L
12
11/24
Vs Minnesota
W
13
12/4
@ New Orleans
L
14
12/11
Vs Chicago
W
15
12/18
@ New York Giants
L
16
12/26
@ Dallas
L
17
1/1
Vs Green Bay
W

2016 Outlook

  • During the offseason, the Lions hit the free agency market hard, signing six new wide receivers alone.  They also had ten picks in this year's draft and used it to strengthen their offensive and defensive lines.  Their offensive line was an issue last year as Matthew Stafford was sacked 44 times and the team did everything possible to make sure that Stafford stays more upright this season.  Detroit will also have to overcome the loss of top wide receiver, Calvin Johnson, who retired during the offseason.  To combat this loss, the Lions signed Marvin Jones, Anquan Boldin, and several others and look to replace Johnson's production by committee.  On defense, the Lions look to be solid up front, after DE Ezekiel Ansah took a major step forward last season and the team draft DT A'Shawn Robinson with their 2nd Round pick in the draft.  The Lions will be competitive all season long and could contend for a playoff spot if Stafford can find chemistry with his new receivers and if the new offensive line pieces gel together.  I see the Lions going 7-9.

Green Bay Packers

2015 Record
10-6-0
2015 Divisional Standing
2nd NFC North
Head Coach
Mike McCarthy

2015 Top Passers

  • Aaron Rodgers - 16 games, 60.7 cmp%, 3821 yards, 31 TDs, 8 INTs, 92.7 passer rating

2015 Top Rushers

  • Eddie Lacy - 758 yards, 4.1 y/a, 3 TDs, 2 fumbles lost
  • James Starks - 601 yards, 4.1 y/a, 2 TDs, fumbles lost

2015 Top Receivers

  • James Jones - 50 receptions, 890 yards, 17.8 avg, 8 TDs, 211 YAC
  • Randall Cobb - 79 receptions, 829 yards, 10.5 avg, 6 TDs, 417 YAC
  • TE Richard Rodgers - 58 receptions, 510 yards, 8.8 avg, 8 TDs, 224 YAC

2015 Top Defensive Performers

  • S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix - 100 total tackles, 1 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 FF
  • S Morgan Burnett - 68 total tackles, 4 TFL, 2 FF
  • CB Demarious Randall - 58 total tackles, 1 TFL, 3 INTs
  • LB Julius Peppers - 37 total tackles, 2 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 2 FF

2015 Notes

  • QB Scott Tolzien signed with Indianapolis
  • FB John Kuhn signed with New Orleans
  • WR James Jones signed with San Diego
  • LB Andy Mulumba signed with Kansas City
  • DB Casey Hayward signed with San Diego
  • DT B.J Raji retired

2016 Draft Results

RD 1, no. 27
Kenny Clark
DT
UCLA
RD 2, no. 48
Jason Spriggs
T
Indiana
RD 3, no. 88
Kyler Fackrell
OLB
Utah State
RD 4, no. 131
Blake Martinez
ILB
Stanford
RD 4, no. 137
Deal Lowry
DE
Northwestern
RD 5, no. 163
Trevor Davis
WR
California
RD 6, no. 200
Kyle Murphy
T
Stanford

Free Agent Pickups

  • QB Ryan Williams signed from Cincinnati
  • QB Joe Callahan signed as an undrafted free agent
  • RB Brandon Burks signed as an undrafted free agent
  • FB Alstevis Squirewell signed as an undrafted free agent
  • TE Jared Cook signed from St. Louis
  • C Jacob Flores signed as an undrafted free agent
  • DE Tyler Kuder signed as an undrafted free agent
  • DE Brian Price signed as an undrafted free agent
  • LB Larentee McCray signed from Denver
  • P Peter Mortell signed as an undrafted free agent

2016 Schedule

Week
Date
Opponent
My Guess
1
9/11
@ Jacksonville
W
2
9/18
@ Minnesota
W
3
9/25
Vs Detroit
W
4
Bye
Week

5
10/9
Vs New York Giants
W
6
10/16
Vs Dallas
W
7
10/20
Vs Chicago
W
8
10/30
@ Atlanta
W
9
11/6
Vs Indianapolis
W
10
11/13
@ Tennessee
W
11
11/20
@ Washington
W
12
11/28
@ Philadelphia
W
13
12/4
Vs Houston
W
14
12/11
Vs Seattle
L
15
12/18
@ Chicago
W
16
12/24
Vs Minnesota
W
17
1/1
@ Detroit
L

2016 Outlook

  • The 2016 Green Bay Packers are going to very good, once again and will most likely compete to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.  They'll get WR Jordy Nelson back this season after missing all of last year with a torn ACL.  Nelson will certainly be a spark in the Packers' offense to go along with Randal Cobb and Devante Adams.  They also have a slimmed down Eddie Lacy and James Starks in the backfield to help balance the offense.  The offensive line will need to do a better job of protecting Rodgers this season, however, as he was sacked 46 times last year, and the team goes the way he goes.  Green Bay's defense was in the top half of the league last season and if it can maintain the status quo, the team as a whole will be in good shape.  I see them going 14-2.

Minnesota Vikings

2015 Record
11-5-0
2015 Divisional Standing
1st NFC North
Head Coach
Mike Zimmer

2015 Top Passers

  • QB Teddy Bridgewater - 16 games, 65.3 cmp%, 3231 yards, 14 TDs, 9 INTs, 88.7 passer rating

2015 Top Rushers

  • Adrian Peterson - 1485 yards, 4.5 y/a, 11 TDs, 3 fumbles lost
  • Jerick McKinnon - 271 yards, 5.2y/a, 2 TDs, 0 fumbles lost

2015 Top Receivers

  • Stefon Diggs - 52 receptions, 720 yards, 13.8 avg, 4 TDs, 300 YAC
  • TE Kyle Rudolph - 49 receptions, 495 yards, 10.1 avg, 5 TDs, 211 YAC
  • Mike Wallace - 39 receptions - 473 yards, 12.1 avg, 2 TDs, 157 YAC

2015 Top Defensive Performers

  • LB Eric Kendricks - 92 total tackles, 5 TFL, 4.0 sacks
  • S Andrew Sendejo - 74 total tackles, .5 sacks, 1 INT
  • CB/S Terence Newman - 62 total tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INTs
  • DE Everson Griffen - 44 total tackles, 5 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 1 FF

2015 Notes

  • WR Mike Wallace - signed with Baltimore
  • DB Josh Robinson - signed with Tampa Bay
  • DB Robert Blanton - signed with Buffalo

2016 Draft Results

RD 1, no. 23
Laquon Treadwell
WR
Ole Miss
RD 2, no. 54
Mackensie Alexander
CB
Clemson
RD 4, no. 121
Willie Beavers
G
Western Michigan
RD 5, no. 160
Kentrell Brothers
ILB
Missouri
RD 6, no. 180
Mortiz Bohringer
WR
Schwabisch Hall (GFL)
RD 6, no. 188
David Morgan III
TE
UTSA
RD 7, no. 227
Stephen Weatherly
LB
Vanderbilt
RD 7, no. 244
Jayron Kearse
S
Clemson

2016 Free Agent Pickups

  • RB Jhurell Pressley signed as an undrafted free agent
  • TE Brian Leonhardt signed from San Francisco
  • G Alex Boone signed from San Francisco
  • T Andre Smith signed from Cincinnati
  • OLB Emmanuel Lamur signed from Cincinnati
  • CB Melvin White signed from St. Louis
  • S Michael Griffin signed from Tennessee

2016 Schedule

Week
Date
Opponent
My Guess
1
9/11
@ Tennessee
W
2
9/18
Vs Green Bay
L
3
9/25
@ Carolina
L
4
10/3
Vs New York Giants
W
5
10/9
Vs Houston
L
6
Bye
Week

7
10/23
@ Philadelphia
L
8
10/31
@ Chicago
L
9
11/6
Vs Detroit
W
10
11/13
@ Washington
L
11
11/20
Vs Arizona
L
12
11/24
@ Detroit
L
13
12/1
Vs Dallas
W
14
12/11
@ Jacksonville
L
15
12/18
Vs Indianapolis
L
16
12/24
@ Green Bay
L
17
1/1
Vs Chicago
W

2016 Outlook

  • The 2015 Minnesota Vikings surprised a lot of people by winning the division last season. Their goal this year will be to prove that last year was no fluke and that they can take another step forward in development and compete with a Packers team that has Jordy Nelson again.  QB Teddy Bridgewater needs to take another step forward as a passer and increase his TD output, especially with his young, uber talented wide receivers.  Their rushing game will be strong again, with AP proving, once again, he's a top 5 back in the league.  On defense, their strength comes from their linebacker group, which is relatively young and very skilled.  The team will need a boost from their secondary to help them win tight games this season, especially because it will most likely take more than 10 games to win the division this season.  I have the Vikings going 8-8, largely the product of a better division and playing tough out-of-division opponents.
  • Edit (8/31): Teddy Bridgewater suffered an injury during practice on Monday, tearing his ACL and dislocating his knee, and appears to miss the entire 2016 season.  I have to alter my expectations of the team and see them only going 5-11 now.  
*all information and statistics are from espn.comrosterresource.com, and  pro-football-reference.com.

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