We are in the final stages of the NFL season with still a lot to decide. An astonishing nine teams are still in legitimate playoff contention in the NFC with just four weeks to play. The Full Press team editors for the NFC North sat down to discuss their reactions to the season thus far and their expectations for the quarter pole.
With four weeks left, how do you think the division will shape?
Tyler Kading, Bears: The only real question wth the standings comes in with the second and third spots, as the Vikings are virtually clinched into the top and, likewise, the Bears at the bottom. I think it is highly likely those two spots come down to the last week of the season, as the Packers and Lions face each other. Since I doubt that the Packers will still be in playoff contention, I would be surprised if the Packers risk Aaron Rodgers coming off a shoulder injury, and thus, the Lions take home the victory and the second-place finish.
Matt Urben, Lions: With four weeks left, it is pretty obvious Minnesota has this thing locked up. They have been the best team in the division all the way through the season and I do not see them slowing down over the final quarter of the season.
Jake Schyvinck, Packers: Right now, the Vikings are the class of this division and it is easy to see why. Case Keenum is having his best season as a pro and the defense does not really have a weakness. I see the Vikings finishing around 12-4 and possibly locking up the first seed in the NFC. As for the Lions and Packers, they both need to win out and have some help on the way. The Lions have an easier schedule, but it probably will not be enough. If the Packers win at Cleveland, Rodgers likely returns. But even Rodgers may not be able to navigate this team through three tough games. The Lions and Packers will likely finish around 9-7 and miss the playoffs. The Bears, obviously, are looking forward to building around Trubisky in the draft.
Sam Smith, Vikings: Minnesota has the top spot sewn up and Chicago is clearly whatever the opposite of the class of the division is. What happens in between is going to be fascinating as the Lions and the Packers, against all odds, are still in playoff contention. I do not see either team making the postseason but, despite the tougher schedule down the stretch, I would lean the Packers’ way for NFC North runner-up. Though it may not be advised, Rodgers will return week 15 and win out, but fall just shy of the postseason.
Who has been the biggest surprise, positive or negative, through 75% of the season?
Kading: To me, the biggest surprise has been the Vikings offense. I thought they were going to be better than many did coming into the season, but even I could not have expected this out of the Vikes. Adam Thielen has proven himself as a top-five receiver in the league, and Keenum looks like a Pro Bowl quarterback. They’ve also supplemented the loss of star rookie running back Dalvin Cook incredibly well, with both Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon playing like quality starting running backs.
Urben: The surprise has to be Keenum. I think the rest of the division felt like the Vikings would surely fall apart without Bradford. Instead, they have absolutely thrived under the Keenum to where he is almost a dark horse MVP candidate.
Schyvinck: The most surprising player this season is certainly the play of Keenum. After Sam Bradford went down early in the year, Keenum stepped in with low expectations. Keenum has starred for the Vikings this season and propelled them to a 10-win season thus far. His 16 touchdowns and five interceptions are plenty for the Vikings at quarterback. What has helped most is the continued development of Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
Smith: I will fall in line with everyone else and say Keenum. Only once in his career has Keenum signed with a team to be the starter and that was last year as the stopgap to Jared Goff. He is a 29-year-old journeyman; those are not supposed to turn into franchise quarterbacks. But Keenum has shown to be one due to his remarkable pocket presence and crisp efficiency. What is more, he is not at all a game-manager. He takes his shots and succeeds on a lot of them.
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