Once summer arrives, every NFL aficionado alter their preparation. It is no longer usual sun tans and partying for the exotic, but analysis and ton of film breakdown. This year has been quite the experience. Since Philly's Super Bowl win in February, the chaos that has ensued in the following months have not only raised eyebrows, but already have fans and pundits predicting a dramatic shift in the landscape of football. Analysts yearly project one team that goes worst to first and Teams that finish last in their divisions are hoping their time in purgatory is over, and their search of another Jayden Daniels would yield a Championship game. It is not always peaches and creams. However, this article will indicate why these three teams will actually have it all peaches and creams after an offeason of change in-division and within the organization as training camp begins. This is a projection of two teams who propped their divisions last season but are best bets in their respective conferences to win the division this season than many think.
1. CHICAGO BEARS
A general view of the Chicago Bears logo prior to the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 23, 2025 in
A general view of the Chicago Bears logo prior to the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 23, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
BIGGEST OFFSEASON ADDITION? Ben Johnson, Head Coach
BIGGEST OFFSEASON SUBTRACTION? Caleb Williams sacks
In 2024, Caleb Williams got sacked 68 times, 16 more than the next Quarterback, CJ Stroud. He lost 466yards from sacks, almost 60yards more than CJ. His 208 yards per game ranked seventeeth, his 20 TDS ranked joint fifteenth. His pressure to sack rate was 28.2%, but the most damning was his self sack score, a high 1.5. Only Will Levis and the injured Deshaun Watson ranked lower. In a summer where books are being released about Williams' desire for a QB whisperer, he got his in Ben Johnson. He attended Johnson's unveiling and the former Detroit Offensive Coordinator has brought the calvary. Pro Bowl calibre big men, Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman have arrived in the trenches. It provides Williams with the sort of protection he lacked last season. The addition of Thuney particularly helps him on the Left side, a place where he seemingly got pressured on frequently. His synchronization with Dalman on quick snaps and snap counts will be perfected in camp, as both get accustomed to the cadence in the offense. Johnson's high powered Detroit offense scored 70 touchdowns last season. Many believe Williams is a better quarterback than Goff and should see more output. It is why Chicago are a team that would likely win the NFC North.
Head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears looks on during the Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 09, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears looks on during the Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 09, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Detroit's summer of change has seen them lose two coordinators and some assistant coaches to boot. All eyes are now on Jared Goff, who has had the luxury of stability most of his career. He had Sean McVay in Los Angeles and Ben Johnson to date in Detroit. Can he raise his game? or will the naysayers pile on and justify that trade and their belief that he still is not the guy who the team wins 'because of' and not 'with'. While Frank Ragnow's retirement has sent shockwaves through the system, there are many who believe Aidan Hutchinson can keep the levels up, especially with former Eagle, Avonte Maddox arriving to bolster the defense. However, this is the most vulnerable the Lions have been since their transformation to the BRAND NEW LIONS and the doubt has never been higher. A messed up 2 minute drill cost the ineffective Bears in one of two meetings with the Lions last season, with Ben Johnson, that series is split at 1-1. In fact, with Johnson in charge in Detroit and their elevation to a top team, the Lions have not had a scoreless half of football since a 38-6 beatdown by the Baltimore Ravens, Week 7, 2023. The Bears are in for good times on offense for sure!
Johnny Mundt #86 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball after a reception in the second quarter of the game against the
Johnny Mundt #86 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball after a reception in the second quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Many would count Minnesota and Green Bay as the rightful heirs to Detroit's throne, but both have issues of their own. The Vikings are going with a rookie quarterback who has to justify he is the best bet over Sam Darnold who got 14 wins, while Green Bay does not have a wide receiver 1 yet. In fact, the most sizzling bit for the Packers is now the creeping question over the stability of Jordan Love to produce consistently and not yo-yo through the season. Chicago barely lost to Green Bay in their first meet via a blocked field goal, while bar the 30-12 beatdown by the Vikings, it took overtime for the Vikings to get them in their first meeting after Williams self-sabotaged. The gap between Chicago and the two above them isnt as wide as the record reflects. Their wide receiver skill group would arguably be second best in the division with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen (if he resigns) and Olamide Zaccheus ahead of the Lions and behind the Vikings. The ageless Marcedes Lewis is still a servicable pass-catcher behind no1 tight end, Cole Kmet. It looks like fool's gold, but the Bears have a genius on the sideline, and that can never be underestimated. This is the year Caleb Williams begins his pursuit of Tom Brady, and it begins with a division win.
2. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
A general view of the New England Patriots logo prior to the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 23, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
A general view of the New England Patriots logo prior to the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 23, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
BIGGEST OFFSEASON ADDITION? Mike Vrabel, Head Coach
BIGGEST OFFSEASON SUBTRACTION? A glaring lack of talent
The hiring and firing of Jerrod Mayo encapsulated the year that was in New England. Mayo's tenure may have promised so much, but it delivered so little. The reasons were not far fetched, the Patriots, once the embodiment of excellence, lacked everything. The talent at receiver was a disaster, there were no viable pass-catchers outside of Tight End, Hunter Henry. Their running back, Rhamondre Stevenson had more catches than five wide receivers on the roster. loosely, there was nobody to throw to. The season ended so early, Maye was inserted as a starter in October, a year earlier than planned. The protection was an unmitigated disaster. They ranked second to last in points, first to last in total yards and were bottom 7 in every tangible offensive metric bar rushing yards and attempts. The foundation for a good offense is there, and with Mike Vrabel and his work in Tennessee, it would be hard to see how that rushing offense does not get better (even though Stevenson is no Henry). However, Vrabel can coach. What many consider a soft schedule should also help in this context. Last season New England's opponents ranked bottom 10 on the average in every metric bar passing yards. In division, they went 2-4 last season, with Vrabel, that record definitely gets better. The NewYork Jets**** have a Quarterback who they hope gels with their newly paid wide receiver. It feels more like building blocks in the Big Apple. The Miami Dolphins are so difficult to grade on a curve. Their moves this offseason give little to make anyone believe they will unseat the Buffalo Bills. It leaves the Pats, whose acquisition of Milton Williams and Carlton Davis to their Defensive line and secondary make them a nightmare. He is taking charge of a team in a different situation to when he played and when he coached the Tennessee Titans, but why then is there a worst to first projection?
Head coach
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Pats have the third easiest strength of schedule. Only four of their opponents made the playoffs; In-division opponents, Buffalo, AFC north rivals **Baltimore**and **Pittsburgh**and NFC's Tampa Bay. Mack Hollins and Steffon Diggs are reputable receivers. The former is particularly an undervalued and underappreciated big body receiver. His last appearance on the field was 73yards and a touchdown for the Bills against the Chiefs. Forget the talk of earthing, he is a solid number 2 to have behind Diggs. He will be required to be number 1 at times too. Diggs, coming off an ACL has some catching up to do. He has elevated quarterbacks at all his stops. From Minnesota, to Buffalo and Houston. There are few recievers who work the field like he does. The team boasts an all pro cornerback room and vicious linebackers who can aid the pass rush up front. That run game, that elevated passing game and defense scream division winner. Maye is New England's answer to Josh Allen. Both, good runners with fantastic arm strength. Do not be shocked that Maye's Pats dethrone Allen's Bills.