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Green Bay Packers: NFC North 2018 summer power rankings

By Brian Sampson

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 16: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers looks on prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on October 16, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 16: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers looks on prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on October 16, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3. Detroit Lions

Unlike the Bears, the Detroit Lions didn’t take a step forward last season. In 2016, they finished at 9-7, a record that was good enough to get them into the playoffs, and in second place in the NFC North. In 2017, they again finished 9-7 and in second place in the North, but this time it wasn’t good enough to get them into the playoffs.

However, they fired their head coach Jim Caldwell and brought in a defensive-minded guy in Matt Patricia from the New England Patriots. Patricia figures to help build the defense up during his tenure.

The Lions immediately upgraded their linebacking corps by signing Devon Kennard and Christian Jones. Both of those guys will be immediate contributors and help Detroit on defense.

On the other side of the ball, Matthew Stafford will be anchoring a lethal passing attack that figures to be a little bit better in the run game. LeGarrette Blount is there to be the thunder to Ammer Abdullah’s lightning.

At their best, they could sneak out 10-11 wins. However, 8-8 or 9-7 is probably more likely again.

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