NFL Recap: 2020 NFC North Review

With the NFL Draft in the rearview, the next big checkpoint is the start of the training camp. Until then, let’s familiarize ourselves with how each division fared in 2020. Next up: the NFC North.

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2020 NFC North Final Standings

Green Bay Packers (13-3)

Chicago Bears (8-8)

Minnesota Vikings (7-9)

Detroit Lions (5-11)

Both the Packers and Bears made the playoffs out of this division. Chicago lost in the Wild Card Round while Green Bay had a first-round bye, eventually losing in the NFC Championship Game.

Fourth Place: Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions Team Preview

The Lions continue their struggle for wins, with 2020 being no different. The lack of offensive firepower in the wake of Kenny Golloday’s injury made the team a slogging unit all season.

The one emerging offensive player was running back D’Andre Swift, who was second on the team in total yards with 878. Quarterback Matthew Stafford gutted out another complete season but has since been traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for multiple first-round draft picks and Jared Goff.

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Third Place: Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings Team Preview

The 2020 season for the Vikings, while a disappointment, has one bright spot: Justin Jefferson. Jefferson, Minnesota’s first-round pick, had one of the best rookie seasons of any wide receiver in NFL history.

Jefferson finished the year with 88 receptions for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns. Adam Thielen remained a strong receiver next to him, scoring 14 times.

Dalvin Cook continues to be one of the best running backs in the league, rushing for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Minnesota’s downfall was their 0-5 start and poor defense. The hole was too much to climb out of, and the defense, ranked 27th on PFF, couldn’t slow down opposing offenses.

Second Place: Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears Team Preview

Chicago’s 2020 identity was the same as the last few years: a strong defense and a poor offense. The Bears played quarterback roulette for much of the year, switching between Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky.

The inconsistent quarterback play held back this team, bringing them to a mediocre 8-8, somehow good enough for the final Wild Card spot.

The Bears would lose to the Saints in the playoffs, 21-9.

Allen Robinson remains this team’s best offensive weapon. Robinson finished with 102 catches for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns. Running back David Montgomery emerged as a trustworthy option, going for over 1,000 yards and scoring eight times.

Khalil Mack led this menacing defense with nine sacks and three forced fumbles.

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First Place: Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers Team Preview

It was another strong regular season for Green Bay that ended in a playoff loss, this time to the eventual Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to be one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, winning his third NFL MVP award. Rodgers threw for 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns, and just five interceptions – one of the best seasons of his career.

Rodgers was aided by his two offensive stars, Davante Adams and Aaron Jones. Adams hauled in an astounding 115 catches for 1,374 yards and 18 scores.

Jones rushed for 1,104 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Packers were one of the most balanced teams in the league, with a top-ten defense to go along with their number-one offense. Cornerback Jaire Alexander had a breakout year and has emerged as one of the best defensive backs in the league.

Rodgers says he won’t play for Green Bay again – was 2020 the final time we’ll see the Hall of Famer a Packer?

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