How do the Packers match up with the NFC North?

After an active offseason for each NFC North team outside of the Green Bay Packers, certain matchups that we’re used to seeing every year will look a little different. In some cases, this is a positive change.

Our MVP Aaron Rodgers won’t have to worry about a certain former Detroit Lions player targeting his injuries with his cleats, for example. As a team with Super Bowl aspirations, Green Bay will need to key in on their divisional games to lock in a postseason spot, home field, and an advantageous path to the Lombardi Trophy.

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May 27, 2015; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during organized team activities at the Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears:

The picture above must have been prompted by the request, “Raise your hand if you love to throw interceptions to the Packers!” The Chicago Bears will be the easiest matchup for the Packers this season for the first time in a number of years.

The draft selection of Kevin White scares me a little bit, because it was the smart pick. The Bears needed a receiver to replace Brandon Marshall, who has torched Green Bay in several games. White is a big, physical receiver that the Packers’ young secondary will need to contain quickly in Week 1.

Alshon Jeffrey and Matt Forte will continue to be a nuisance for the Packers and John Fox will make this team far better than they were last year, but I can’t see Green Bay losing either game to the Bears this year.

Nov 23, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes against the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Green Bay Packers win 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings:

I believe the Vikings have massively improved after a great offseason, and a year of NFL experience for Teddy Bridgewater. The return of Adrian Peterson is obviously enormous, as he nearly ran for the all-time single-game rushing record against Green Bay two years ago.

Outside of the AP return, the Vikings brought in Mike Wallace from the Dolphins, and added the top cornerback in the draft with Trae Waynes out of Michigan State.

The emergence of former Packer draft pick Charles Johnson and having tight end Kyle Rudolph back from injury will give Bridgewater plenty of receiving options, something this Adrian Peterson-dominated offense didn’t have in the past.

Defensively, the Vikings quietly had a terrific 2014 season. The young Vikings secondary ranked seventh in pass defense. Harrison Smith has been one of my favorite players to watch since his debut, and last year’s first-round pick, Anthony Barr, is a stud at linebacker.

Minnesota also drafted Eric Kendricks, a promising inside linebacker from UCLA who was talked about by many experts as a potential Green Bay pick.

If Xavier Rhodes and Waynes can be even slightly above-average corners this year and if they can get into the top half in rush defense, I think the Vikings’ defense is a potential powerhouse.

I see the Packers splitting the season series against the Vikings, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Minnesota finishes with a better record than Detroit and makes the playoffs. The Vikings are one of the few teams the Packers will play that can hold them to less than 20 points, and the upside of this Bridgewater-AP offense is scary.

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) gets pressure from Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (95) in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions:

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