NFL power rankings: Breaking down the league’s toughest divisions

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 16: Charcandrick West #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Malcolm Smith #53 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 16, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 16: Charcandrick West #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Malcolm Smith #53 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 16, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers shake hands after the game on September 18, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers shake hands after the game on September 18, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

There’s no reason to assume the Green Bay Packers will let go of their hold on the NFC North this season.

Yes, there are some changes on the defensive side of the ball to worry about. But any team boasting quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center remains a power rankings favorite.

The road to the division title could be tougher this year. The Minnesota Vikings have a strong defense, an improved offensive line and one of the NFL’s more promising young running backs, Dalvin Cook.

I’m not overly sold on the Detroit Lions, though. Yes, quarterback Matthew Stafford got paid. Let’s see how that pans out this upcoming season.

Simply put, the Lions won too many close games last year and not by dominant fashion. Keep in mind, too, how everything fell apart down the stretch when Detroit was desperate for a playoff push.

The Chicago Bears won’t be contending this year, although at least the Mitchell Trubisky era will be something for Bears fans to chew on.

Schedule