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2015 NFL Preview: NFC North
By: Staff Writer - StatFox
Published: 8/27/2015  at  3:10:00 PM
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2015 NFL Preview: NFC North

With only two divisions left to preview, we’ll now take a look at the NFC North:

CHICAGO BEARS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 5-11
ATS Record: 7-9
Over/Under: 8-8
Points Scored: 19.9 PPG (23rd in NFL)
Points Allowed: 27.6 PPG (31st in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 95/1

2015 Preview:
New head coach John Fox has brought the key offensive coaches over from the Broncos, including coordinator Adam Gase and offensive line coach Dave Magazu. Magazu ran a blend of zone and gap blocking in Denver, a mix he has used going back to his time in Carolina. Matt Forte is the clear feature back, though his consistently shaky pass-protection could force him off the field in some passing situations. In Denver, Gase had a wide-open playbook because he had Peyton Manning. He’ll likely have to dial things back a bit with Jay Cutler, a “see it” guy as opposed to one who anticipates windows opening. Gase will likely employ a lot of quicker timing routes to get the ball out. Only the Saints and Falcons allowed more yards than the 377.1 per game Chicago allowed in 2014. The 2015 Bears will switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 base under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who spent the previous four seasons in the same position with the 49ers.

DETROIT LIONS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 11-6
ATS Record: 8-9
Over/Under: 5-12
Points Scored: 20.1 PPG (22nd in NFL)
Points Allowed: 18.0 PPG (3rd in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 45/1

2015 Preview:
Head coach Jim Caldwell and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi brought a more controlled, balanced attack to Detroit last season, and it looks like they’ll continue to trend in that direction after drafting mauling guard Laken Tomlinson and RB Ameer Abdullah in the draft’s first two rounds. It’s a versatile scheme that uses a lot of gap blocking, and with Joique Bell recovering from knee and Achilles injuries, Abdullah has a chance to take the lead back role. Lombardi made sure quarterback Matthew Stafford was reined in a bit last season, but this offense still relies heavily on Stafford’s ability to throw the deep ball. Calvin Johnson, when healthy, often just freelances downfield looking for a chance to make a play. Golden Tate is used in more of a catch-and-run role, taking advantage of all the single coverage. Assuming Eric Ebron has a better grip on the playbook, the Lions will likely create more opportunities for him. Detroit signed DT Haloti Ngata, which will at least somewhat lessen the blow of losing DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. The team will rely more heavily on DE Ezekiel Ansah and a secondary that finished tied for third in the NFL in interceptions last season.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 13-5
ATS Record: 10-7-1
Over/Under: 12-6
Points Scored: 29.7 PPG (2nd in NFL)
Points Allowed: 22.1 PPG (t-14th in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 13/2

2015 Preview:
The Packers ended up having one of the league’s more balanced offenses, due in large part to frequently protecting leads in the second half. They go heavy on zone blocking, especially inside zone runs that play to Eddie Lacy’s combination of patience and power—Lacy will have a monster workload again this year. Offensive coordinator Tom Clements is now calling plays and quarterback Aaron Rodgers will have plenty of say over what they do. It’s a West Coast offense that frequently works the ball outside the numbers. They’ll use Randall Cobb out of a variety of spots, including the backfield. Davante Adams was often used as more of a decoy outside in three-receiver sets, but he’ll be in for a much larger role with Jordy Nelson tearing his ACL during the preseason. The Packers tied for seventh in the NFL in interceptions last year. While they lost a pair of corners—Tramon Williams and Davon House departed as free agents—the rest of the unit remains pretty much in tact. That includes a pair of talented young safeties in Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-9
ATS Record: 10-6
Over/Under: 6-10
Points Scored: 20.3 PPG (20th in NFL)
Points Allowed: 21.4 PPG (11th in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 30/1

2015 Preview:
Offensive coordinator Norv Turner planned on building this offense around the power running game and Adrian Peterson in Year 1. Those plans obviously fell through after Peterson’s nearly season-long suspension. Now he’ll use him heavily in a scheme that skews toward a lot of gap blocking and banging between the tackles. Turner’s offense takes downfield shots off play-action. Charles Johnson emerged as Teddy Bridgewater’s favorite target in the second half of last season, working deep on the perimeter. Mike Wallace gives them another field stretcher on the other side of the field, which would open things up for Kyle Rudolph. Although the Vikings were one of only eight teams with fewer than 20 takeaways in 2014, the team did show an ability to get to the quarterback, finishing tied for ninth in the NFL with 41 sacks. The Vikes have promising young talent in OLB Anthony Barr, CB Xavier Rhodes and rookie CB Trae Waynes.


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