After a thrilling season, the NFL is officially over for another year. So, the team at SportsTips thought it would be a good idea to go through every team in the NFC North, and have a look at the year that was!
Chicago Bears
Another season, another subpar result for the Chicago Bears. The Bears made a big move in the 2021 NFL Draft, selecting Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields to be their franchise’s savior. While there were glimpses of hope from Fields this season, he also ran into some injuries and a position battle with Andy Dalton.
Fields wasn’t the only one who was hit with the injury bug this season, as dynamic running back David Montgomery and Pro-Bowl receiver Allen Robinson both missed a good chunk of time this year. On defense, the injuries were outstanding as well, as star linebacker Khalil Mack also missed most of the season.
“I love the opportunity here with Ryan and Matt. We want to build something special.”
STC Richard Hightower is ready to get to work in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/z2PLOyXs1U
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 17, 2022
Still, the defense was top ten in the fewest yards allowed per game and was third in the fewest amount of pass yards allowed. Even with plenty of injuries, this defensive unit was able to keep the team in games. So with head coach Matt Nagy out, the team hired Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Eberfuls is a defensive mind, so we’ll see if his staff can help Fields evolve in 2022. But if this team can stay a little more healthy next year, they should be able to compete for a wild-card spot.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions once again had a terrible season, finishing 3-13-1 and securing the first overall pick in the forthcoming NFL Draft. Still, these guys looked like they loved playing under new head coach Dan Campbell, so if he can start to get players that fit his system drafted onto the squad, there’s definitely some hope going forward.
The Lions offense was led by former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff who continued to underachieve. Still, the team was pleased to see wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown have a phenomenal rookie season as the fourth-round pick brought in over 900 receiving yards and should only get better.
The @Lions have signed FB @jasoncabinda to a contract extension through the 2023 season.
In 2021, Cabinda was named the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee and became the first Lions fullback to produce a touchdown reception at Ford Field since 2004. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/ssFpAhCrUZ
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) February 17, 2022
While there were some bright spots on offense, Detroit’s defense struggled mightily, surrendering the second-most points per game in the NFL. Campbell is a big defense guy, so you can expect them to be very focused on that side of the ball in the draft.
Still, the Lions will have to be patient going forward, they didn’t win their first game until December during the last season and they play in a division where the other three teams are already playoff ready or on the rise. Still, if they can make some improvement going forward, expect a coach as beloved as Campbell to get a couple more cracks.
Green Bay Packers
Even though there were plenty of controversies, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was able to string together another incredible season, as he picked up his fourth MVP award throwing 37 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards. The Green Bay Packers went 13-4 and captured the number one seed in the NFC.
🏆🏆🏆🏆@AaronRodgers12 wins his FOURTH NFL MVP! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/eC9RrRJQNt
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) February 11, 2022
Along with Rodgers’s MVP season, the team also had a top-ten defense and looked primed to finally return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2011 after so many close calls. Unfortunately, they met the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the playoffs and never got their offensive mojo working, as they fell at home 10-13.
After winning five straight to end the regular season, everything blew up in the Packers’ face come postseason. While head coach Matt LaFleur has been brilliant during the regular season, the team has yet to show they can carry that success over to the playoffs. There will be plenty of talks this postseason if Rodgers will want to continue in Green Bay. He’s 38 and on top of his game, he doesn’t have much time to waste if he wants to win a second Super Bowl.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings had a disappointing 8-9 season, mainly due to a defense that was among the league’s worst units. They gave up nearly 384 yards of offense per game and while Harrison Smith and Eric Kendricks continued to play brilliantly, the team’s leader in interceptions was linebacker Anthony Barr who had three.
On offense, quarterback Kirk Cousins actually had an impressive statistical year as he threw 33 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and over 4,000 yards. The team had other offensive weapons as well in Pro-Bowlers Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson, but they weren’t enough to take the Vikings to the postseason.
A new era of #Vikings football pic.twitter.com/qHuzvB00ja
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) February 17, 2022
The team parted ways with head coach Mike Zimmer and will be bringing in Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell will definitely help maximize this talented offense, but the defense will continue to be a big question mark in 2022.
Still, with big regular-season wins against the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers and close calls against the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers it feels like the Vikings are very close to turning the corner and making a playoff run.
Even though the season has finished, we’ve got you covered with all the latest information on the NFL! We keep you as up to date as possible, so you don’t miss any of the action this off-season.
