Friday 8 September 2017 16:50, UK
For the new NFL season, we preview all eight divisions...
Here, we kick things off with the NFC and AFC North, plus at the foot of the page we give you the chance for you to take our personality quiz to determine which of the teams you should support...
Don't worry, if none float your boat here, there are seven other divisions to try!
Head coach: Jim Caldwell
Key man: Matthew Stafford. The ninth-year man remains the cornerstone of the franchise now Calvin Johnson is something of a distant memory. He has a solid receiving corps, including the livewire Theo Riddick from the backfield, and could well get close to 5,000 yards passing as the Lions look to improve on last year's playoff one-and-done performance.
Major additions: The Lions needed to improve on defence and, on the face of it, appear to have done so. The biggest addition could well have come through the draft, with linebacker Jarrad Davis set to step in as a starter from day one now DeAndre Levy has moved on. Pass-rusher Cornelius Washington, linebacker Paul Worrilow and corner DJ Hayden will also play major snaps.
Last season: 9-7 (lost to Seahawks in NFC Wildcard Round). The Lions looked like one of the league's better teams in the middle of the season, at one point winning eight out of nine games, but their defence went to pieces at the end of the season and that carried into their playoff defeat.
Prospects: In one word - bright. Stafford has some added offensive line protection and if Ameer Abdullah can stay fit, they could have a running game to back him up as well. But just as last year, much will depend on the Lions defence. Much will be needed from Davis, and the loss of defensive end Kerry Hyder to a preseason injury is a big blow. If the Lions can replace him, they are a genuine contender to the Packers' division crown.
Prediction: 1st (11-5)
Head coach: Mike McCarthy
Key man: Aaron Rodgers. He's right at the top of the argument for NFL's best quarterback for many reasons. Composure, arm, running ability, decision-making are all right up there and should he go down injured, the Packers would find it nigh-on impossible to replace him. In fact, possibly only one current NFL starter (Tom Brady) could come close to doing so, he's that good.
Major additions: Rodgers has a very handy new target in the form of tight end Martellus Bennett, and he could be a massive red zone presence for the Packers. But their run game was disappointing last year and it is asking a lot for rookie Jamaal Williams to come in and produce straight away behind presumptive starter Ty Montgomery, himself a converted receiver. Their defence will need to replace pash rushers Julius Peppers, although his best years were probably behind him anyway, and Datone Jones, but rookie Kevin King is a handy defensive backfield addition.
Last season: 10-6 (lost to Falcons in NFC Championship Game). Something of a curate's egg. The Packers were awful during the middle of the season, losing five out of six games before reeling off six straight wins to snatch the division. They produced heroics in their playoff win over the Dallas Cowboys but ultimately their porous defence would cost them the chance to go to the Super Bowl when they simply couldn't stop Matt Ryan in the NFC Championship Game.
Prospects: They are the favourites for another divisional title, which would be a sixth in seven seasons, but their rivals could well be even closer than last year. The Packers need to find a ground game pretty sharpish to stay ahead of the Vikings and Lions, and while their offence has few holes, the same cannot be said on defence, which looks still to need significant improvement and a touch more youth.
Prediction: 2nd (9-7)
Head coach: Mike Zimmer
Key man: Defensive co-ordinator George Edwards. If the Vikings are to challenge the Packers for the NFC North crown, Edwards will have to at least match last season's numbers when the Vikings ranked third in yards allowed and sixth in points allowed per game on defence. Their young linebacking corps, including stars in the making Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr, has the talent to be one of the best in the league.
Major additions: Tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers are their main free agent additions so their improvement could come down to rookies, most notably running back Dalvin Cook. The record-breaker from Florida State has the small job of replacing possible Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson, but early signs are that he could become a special NFL player. He will complement another free agent signing, former Raiders starter Latavius Murray.
Last season: After losing QB Teddy Bridgewater to a serious knee injury before the season even started, Bradford came in and served up five straight wins to open the season. But they would come back from a week six bye and win only three more as too many close games ended in narrow defeats, including key losses in weeks 12 and 13 by only two and three points with the division on the line, as they stuttered to an 8-8 finish.
Prospects: The Vikings were only two games off the title last season, despite losing eight of their last 11, and it could be just as close 12 months down the line. The Vikings have added some offensive explosion in the form of rookie running back Dalvin Cook and Sam Bradford quietly had a very efficient first season with the franchise, helped out by the unexpected production of wide receiver Adam Thielen. But defence is always going to be the Vikings' strength and it would not be a huge surprise if they prove to be the best in the NFL.
Prediction: 3rd (9-7)
Head coach: John Fox
Key man: Jordan Howard. Rookie running back Howard impressed last season in a dreadful Bears team, piling up more than 1,600 all-purpose yards and giving the Soldier Field faithful something to be positive about.
Major additions: The Bears gave free agent quarterback Mike Glennon a big-money deal, although that could well turn into a one-season pact after they traded up to land North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky in the draft. Kendall Wright and Markus Wheaton join a paper-thin receiving corps while Prince Amukamara and Quintin Demps boost a defence that could spend a lot of time on the field.
Last season: A forgettable 3-13 season ended with some Bears fans celebrating the retirement of now un-retired Jay Cutler. Howard did show signs of being a potential franchise building block but that was about all as even their re-tooled defence could do little about affecting the wins and losses columns.
Prospects: You would expect a little bit of improvement for the Bears this season but they have a tough schedule outside the division and if Howard has a sophomore slump, there is every chance three wins could be tough to find. But this team might not be too far away as their defence is decent enough and Trubisky has already started to put pressure on Glennon with his preseason performances.
Prediction: 4th (2-14)
