CBS Sports predicts final standings for NFC North

The NFC North could be the most wide open division in the NFL in 2023. So wide open that CBS Sports is predicting the Detroit Lions as the division winners.

Aaron Rodgers is gone from Green Bay, the Minnesota Vikings are the reigning champions but could be due for some regression, Justin Fields’ development will dictate much of the Chicago Bears success — or lack thereof — and that leaves the Detroit Lions. CBS has the Lions penciled in as division champs for the first time since 1991. Emphasis on penciled.

Behind what could be a top-shelf offense and an improving defense, the Lions might be the tentative favorites right now. But CBS analyst Will Brinson noted he was ready for his pick to be completely wrong.

The full CBS Sports predicted NFC North finishing order is as follows:

• Detroit Lions (10-7)
• Minnesota Vikings (8-9)
• Chicago Bears (6-11)
• Green Bay Packers (6-11)

“Just like the Jags, the Lions surprised me with how high they finished in my model here. I sort of felt like I’d be down on them and higher on Minnesota and Green Bay and yet … the numbers don’t lie,” Brinson wrote. “Detroit’s got a HUGE game to start the season against Kansas City; I’m more worried about how the Lions recover from that matchup (win or lose) than how they perform in Arrowhead with a pair of huge home conference games looming immediately afterwards.”

The last time the Lions won the division, it was the NFC Central and featured five teams: the current four franchises and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers have a more recent title in the division the Lions play in (1999) than the Lions do. Suffice to say, it’s been a good long while since the Lions have won anything of consequence.

If the Lions don’t win the NFC North, the Vikings have a decent shot to repeat. However, the Vikings likely won’t have as much positive luck as last year. Minnesota was 10-0 in one-score games (eight points or less) until losing to the New York Giants, 31-24, in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs last season. The roster is talented and Justin Jefferson should be in the running for offensive player of the year, but overcoming some of the luck regression will be the big challenge.

Fields taking a big step forward could thrust the Bears into contention. With retooled pass catchers and a talent infusion on the offensive line, Chicago is set up to be feisty and go as far as Fields can take them. The defense should be solid again, too.

The Packers, the franchise that has won the NFC North 12 of the 21 years it has been comprised of the current four teams, are a wildcard post-Rodgers. New quarterback Jordan Love, like Fields, will dictate much of the Packers success. However, an uber-talented defense and strong running game should give Green Bay a solid floor as Love gets his feet wet.

For the first time in a while, all four teams in the NFC North have a realistic path to contend for the division. And for now, Dan Campbell and the Lions are the pick for CBS.