Sometimes you have to love when a plan works out. Today we will be looking at the NFC North and there just happens to be some big news regarding two of the teams within the division. We’ll get to that in just a bit but let’s do a quick recap of last season in the division.

2016 saw a hotly contested race for the division crown in the NFC North. A Week 17 Sunday night showdown between the Packers and Lions would determine who would take the division and host a Wild Card game. Green Bay ended up finding another gear in the postseason before running into a buzz saw in the form of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game. Meanwhile, Detroit was unceremoniously eliminated in the Wild Card round.

A new year presents a potentially three-way dance for supremacy in the NFC North. Green Bay and Detroit are poised for another duel but it could be the Minnesota Vikings who have the last laugh. The six games between these three teams are worth circling on your calendars right now. Who will end up as the kings in the North? Let’s look at the tale of the tape in today’s “No Huddle.”

Green Bay Packers (last season: 10-6)

We all know the story in Green Bay. As long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the Packers will always be a contender. Last season Rodgers produced one of the best statistical stretches ever by a quarterback to vault the Packers just one game shy of the Super Bowl. It took an MVP-type effort from Rodgers to alleviate a laundry list of injuries in the backfield.

Since we all know what this passing attack will be with all of the key cogs healthy, it’s the backfield that raises the questions for Green Bay heading into 2017. Due to all of the injuries a year ago, Green Bay was forced to convert receiver Ty Montgomery into a running back.

While it could have been a temporary solution, it seems as if the Packers are committed to Montgomery as the lead back at the outset of the season. Montgomery did flash some potential as a runner, but really showed his value as a versatile threat in the passing game. However, if Montgomery continues to have problems in pass protection like he did last season, one of the rookies could see the field sooner rather than later. Reports indicate that Jamaal Williams will get the first crack as the backup to Montgomery.

Over on the defensive side of the football, the Packers have to embrace a bend but don’t break style of football. With the offense as proficient as it is, the Packers defense really just needs to string together a few stops per game to win ball games. The health of Clay Matthews and Nick Perry will be a huge factor for Green Bay. If both players can stay on the field, this defense will have a chance to keep the Packers on their winning ways.

Potentially the biggest concern for the Packers has nothing to do with the players on the field, but with coach Mike McCarthy. Over the years, the Packers have had some issues with letting teams hang around when they get ahead. McCarthy has gained a reputation for taking the foot off the gas pedal, which has hurt the Packers in some regard. A killer instinct in the gameplan could be the difference for Green Bay being a Super Bowl contender or falling short once again in the postseason. The NFC North is theirs to lose, but with Rodgers at the helm a Super Bowl victory is always the ultimate goal.

Detroit Lions (last season: 9-7)

Last season was a tough finish for the Lions. After an 8-2 run through October and November, Detroit lost their final three regular season games and blew a chance to win the division. While Detroit clinched a playoff berth, a Super Bowl run was far from being in the cards.

Similar to the Packers, there really hasn’t been a lot of change heading into the 2017 season. Detroit has essentially doubled down on their current roster. The biggest indication came yesterday as the team agreed to a record-setting contract extension with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Now the highest-paid player in the NFL, Stafford will be under a ton of pressure to perform.

This offense has a ton of potential around Stafford, and should be the foundation the Lions. Golden Tate and Marvin Jones each had great stretches of games, but finding a balance between the two was a problem. One would be a focal point while the other kind of faded into the background. So far it looks like offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter might have the formula to prevent that being an issue again. Tight end Eric Ebron could be a vital target in the red-zone but is already dealing with a hamstring injury. Luckily the Lions may have found a solution to Ebron’s continued injury problems in rookie receiver Kenny Golloday, who flashed a dominant skill-set for the red-zone in training camp (potential fantasy sleeper).

Detroit’s running backs will another key part of this offense. Theo Riddick clearly has a role as a third down and receiving back. The Lions will turn to Ameer Abdullah in order to have some form of balance for this offense. Abdullah has flashed some big playmaking ability, but injuries have hampered his progress since his rookie season. A sustained ground attack will be a much-needed dimension for this offense.

Why does this offense need to be efficient and effective? Detroit’s defense was atrocious last season, specifically against the pass. You would think that improving this area would have been a priority this offseason, but that was not the case. The only notable improvements were made along the defensive line. However, that doesn’t solve this problem if that pass rush doesn’t improve on the 26 sacks from a year ago.

The bend, but don’t break philosophy only works when you can do that with consistency. Detroit was content to let teams hit underneath passes, but often times were burned by big plays. Unfortunately, this formula isn’t adding up to any form of success on defense.

Despite having a potentially great offense, a sub-par defense could prevent this team from reaching the postseason for a second consecutive season. The Lions were able to eek out wins by less than a touchdown frequently last year. Unfortunately, that is not a trend that carries over year-to-year. Don’t be shocked if that trend ends up working against the Lions in 2017.

Minnesota Vikings (last season: 8-8)

It’s tough to say that a team that finished 8-8 essentially had a lost season. Unfortunately, Minnesota’s upward trajectory under coach Mike Zimmer hit a major roadblock in 2016. Numerous injuries on both sides of the football prevented the Vikings from taking the next step towards becoming a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

A better way to figure out just how bad things got last season is to go through the list of players who weren’t injured, especially on offense. Teddy Bridgewater’s freak knee injury forced the Vikings to make a last minute trade for Sam Bradford, who will once again lead this offense. Adrian Peterson is no longer the focal point of this offense as he left for New Orleans in free agency. While that seems like a big loss, it actually might free this offense help them find a more suitable identity.

Drafting running back Dalvin Cook may be the first step in figuring that out. Despite falling to the second round, Cook was a first-round talent who flashing homerun ability at Florida State. He has taken the reigns as the top running back, leaving free agent addition Latavius Murray in a short yardage role. Both will face the pressure of improving this rushing attack, which struggled mightily last season.

If Cook and Murray are able to get the ground game going, that will allow Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph to thrive in the passing game. The other factor will be the offensive line, which was hampered by injuries and poor play by the backups. Sustained play in the trenches will be the most important factor for this offense.

Minnesota getting any kind of offensive production will be music to this team’s ears because their defense is ferocious. The Vikings quietly put together a young core of players that have this unit in a position to be the best defense in the NFL for the next five years. They can rush the passer, stop the run, and create havoc for opposing offenses. This defense isn’t quite the “Purple People Eaters” just yet, but they are very close. Don’t be surprised if Minnesota’s road to the postseason is paved by a top-three defense.

If there is one team that can make the jump back into the postseason in the NFC, the Vikings are at the top of the list. Health is a major concern given the problems of last season and depth is still a bit of an issue. However, given the talent on this team a Week 16 matchup against the Packers in Lambeau Field will likely determine the outcome of this division.

Chicago Bears (last season: 3-13)

To put it quite simply, the Bears are in a pretty bad spot heading into 2017. Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffrey are no longer on the team, so this roster is now in a full rebuilding stage. It will be hard to see this team vastly improving on its 3-13 record from a year ago.

Prior to the third preseason game, we were keenly watching the quarterback battle in Chicago. Mike Glennon signed a big contract to be the starter, and then the Bears moved up to the second spot in the draft to take UNC quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The plan seemed to be that Glennon would be locked in as the starter this season with Trubisky getting a “redshirt” rookie season as the backup. However, the rookie has played well and Glennon looks less than impressive.

However, the devastating knee injury suffered by Cameron Meredith over the weekend should be a sign that coach John Fox needs to stay true to the original plan. Right now, there is no point throwing Trubisky into the fire with a shorthanded offense. This receiving core is in shambles right now after losing their top target for this season (and potentially part of next year). Kevin White and Kendall Wright will have to step up in a big way to get this offense going this year.

Running back Jordan Howard needs to be the focal part of this offense after finishing last season with the second-most rushing yards in the league. Unfortunately, its tough to get expect similar results this season with a depleted passing attack. We’re going to learn a lot about Howard in 2017. If he can find similar success, the Bears could have a superstar to build around.

The bright spot this preseason has been the defense, which looked strong through the first three exhibition games. A stingy defense will certainly go a long way to masking some of the potential problems of this offense. The real test for this defense will come right away with a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Ultimately, this team probably won’t be a pushover but are teetering very close to the edge of a totally lost season.

That’s it for me today. I’ll be back tomorrow with a look at the AFC North. Follow me on Twitter @thereal_jmooney, subscribe to Shooting the Moon on WordPress, and go like the Shooting the Moon page on Facebook.