Week 1 of the regular season is here, so it's time for a quick offseason refresher and Week 1 preview for all four teams in the NFC North:
DETROIT
2023 record: 12-5 (division champions)
Week 1 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sept. 8, 8:20 p.m.
2024 strength of schedule: 11th (147-142 opponent record last season)
New faces: CB Carlton Davis III, DL DJ Reader, EDGE Marcus Davenport, G Kevin Zeitler, CB Amik Robertson, CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Key losses: G Jonah Jackson, WR Josh Reynolds, DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Breakout player to watch: WR Jameson Williams
With Reynolds moving on in free agency, Williams takes over the No. 2 role behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and should see his snaps increase significantly. He's dynamic with the football in his hands, and the Lions have one of the best offensive coordinators in the business at getting players the football in space. The entire route tree is part of Williams' repertoire now. He brings another legitimate big-play threat to this offense.
Most significant change: Secondary
Detroit ranked 27th in pass defense last year and allowed the most 20-plus yard receptions. GM Brad Holmes went to work remaking the cornerback room with the trade for veteran Davis, signing the veteran Robertson in free agency, and drafting Arnold and Rakestraw Jr. with the Lions' first two picks in the NFL Draft. It was noticeable in training camp how much more competitive that group was and how they could play a big part in this defense being much better overall in 2024.
Twentyman: Holmes and Campbell have built this into a Super Bowl contending roster. Detroit is young, talented and deep at a lot of positions. Can they take the next step and advance to the franchise's first Super Bowl this season? How big a jump the revamped defense can make will play a big part in determining the answer to that.
View photos of the Detroit Lions' initial 53-man roster heading into the 2024 season.
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 12, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) celebrates after a sack during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 26, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 12, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Michael Niese (62) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (59) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 12, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) before an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 27, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 14, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 26, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 20, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 24, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 24, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
GREEN BAY
2023 record: 9-8
Week 1 opponent: at Philadelphia, Sept. 6, 8:15 p.m. in Brazil
2024 strength of schedule: T-4th (152-137)
New faces: RB Josh Jacobs, S Xavier McKinney, G Jordan Morgan
Key losses: RB Aaron Jones, LB De'Vondre Campbell, T David Bakhtiari
Breakout player to watch: WR Christian Watson
Watson missed eight games as a rookie due to injury but still caught 28 passes for 422 yards and five touchdowns. He is a terrific deep threat with his combination of size and speed, and he's got the quarterback in Jordan Love who can get him the football. Watson led the Packers last season averaging 15.1 yards per reception. It's a young receiver corps in Green Bay with a lot of talent. Watson could be poised for a big 2024, if he can stay healthy.
Most significant change: New defensive scheme
The Packers transitioned from Joe Barry to new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley this offseason. The change to a 4-3 from the 3-4 base scheme the Packers had run for the past 15 years will certainly look much different.
"I think we could be really special," McKinney told ESPN. "I think he's going to allow us to be really aggressive, a defense that can create a lot of turnovers, and just play with our instincts. I think that's the biggest part is just letting everybody have a personality about themselves, doing it obviously within the defense."
Twentyman: I look at the Packers much like I do the Lions. They are a really young roster with terrific skill weapons on offense and if the defense takes the next step, they can be right there among the top teams in the NFC. This Packers roster is clearly the top threat to the Lions repeating as NFC North champions.
MINNESOTA
2023 record: 7-10
Week 1 opponent: at New York Giants, Sept. 8, 1 p.m.
2024 strength of schedule: T-16th (145-144)
New faces: RB Aaron Jones, LB Jonathan Greenard, EDGE Dallas Turner, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, CB Stephon Gillmore, CB Shaq Griffin
Key losses: QB Kirk Cousins, EDGE Danielle Hunter
Breakout player to watch: EDGE Dallas Turner
The second of Minnesota's two first-round picks in this year's draft, Turner has an intriguing combination of speed and power. He's a rookie, so there is going to be growing pains here and there, but his raw talent alone should help him contribute early and often for the Vikings' pass rush.
Most significant change: New-look backfield
This offseason the Vikings brought in veteran running back Aaron Jones to revitalize a Vikings' rushing attack that has ranked in the bottom of the league (29th & 27th) the past two seasons. He brings an explosive element back to that position both in the run and pass game, averaging 4.6 yards per carry in 11 games last season.
Young running back Ty Chandler is on the rise after averaging 4.5 yards per carry for the Vikings last season. That duo has a chance to be pretty good in Minnesota.
Twentyman: The Vikings will go as veteran quarterback Sam Darnold goes. That's just how this league works. It was too bad rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was lost for the year in the preseason so we never got to see how much he could push Darnold for the starting job.
Darnold is a veteran with 56 starts to his credit and he's entering a good situation in Minnesota with a veteran line and terrific skill weapons. The Vikings got younger on defense and should be steady there, so it really comes down to the play at quarterback determining just how good Minnesota can be in 2024.
CHICAGO
2023 record: 7-10
Week 1 opponent: vs. Tennessee, Sept. 8, 1 p.m.
2024 strength of schedule: T-29th (135-154)
New faces: QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze, WR Keenan Allen, RB DeAndre Swift, C Coleman Shelton, S Kevin Byard
Key losses: QB Justin Fields, DT Justin Jones, DL Yannick Ngakoue
Breakout player to watch: DT Gervon Dexter Sr.
The Bears' second-round pick last year had a solid start to his career with 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 12 QB hits. He's generating a lot of buzz in Chicago for the training camp he's had. The Bears are expecting him to start alongside Andrew Billings and be a productive part of their defensive front.
Most significant change: New era at quarterback
Williams has the tools and the talent to be a dynamic playmaker for the Bears, but rookie quarterbacks often face a sharp learning curve at this level once teams start game planning for them. He's in a great situation in Chicago with arguably the best receiving trio in the league in DJ Moore, Odunze and Allen.
Twentyman: Chicago will be a really intriguing team to watch. I like their roster and feel like they can make a significant turnaround in 2024. It all depends on Williams and the kind of play they get from their rookie quarterback.
If he can have the kind of rookie year we saw from C.J. Stroud with the Texans last year, the Bears have enough talent to compete for the playoffs in the NFC. If we see some of the inconsistencies we often do from rookie quarterbacks in this league, it will be an uphill battle.
