'football 301' Predicts Nfc North Win Totals – And There Will Be Many – Between Caleb Williams' Bears, Jahmyr Gibbs' Lions, Jordan Love's Packers And Justin Jefferson's Vikings

A season after each team won at least nine games, the NFC North appears wide open again in 2026. On the latest episode "Football 301," Nate Tice and ESPN's Mina Kimes broke down each team's impact players and X factors and ultimately predicted each team's win totals.

Spoiler alert: Lots of wins.

"All four teams can win it … all four teams could make [the] playoffs, could be wild-card teams," Tice said. "I think there are three playoff teams coming out of this division."

Here's a recap of their insights, organized by team:

Detroit Lions

Win total Projections:

• Nate Tice: 10-7

• Mina Kimes: 11-6

Even with offensive line troubles and coaching shakeups, Detroit still fielded a top-10 offense and won nine games in 2025 — but that was good for last in a loaded division. Tice is high on newly hired offensive coordinator Drew Petzing calling plays with a slew of weaponry now at his command.

"The crowd went mild after that signing, but I applaud," Tice said. "I was that meme, the DJ on the balcony with 3 people dancing … I was one of the people dancing down there."

Play Yahoo's new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now!

Minnesota Vikings

Win total Projections:

• Nate Tice: 10-7

• Mina Kimes: 9-8

The J.J. McCarthy experiment is over, or at the very least tabled for now, so enter Kyler Murray. That arrival paired with former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith's run scheme has Kimes excited.

"It's a run game that makes a lot more sense with this quarterback," Kimes said. "And actually this quarterback adds something to that run game that we didn't see in Miami, which is a genuine dual threat out of the pistol and the gun."

Chicago Bears

Win total Projections:

• Nate Tice: 10-7

• Mina Kimes: 10-7

Both hosts are bullish on the Bears' offense, powered by quarterback Caleb Williams, head coach Ben Johnson, and a loaded skill group — even after some notable departures. The big question is whether the defense can improve enough to support a potential division winner.

"The Chicago Bears' defense is not the monsters of the Midway," Tice said. "They're the minions right now."

Green Bay Packers

Win total Projections:

• Nate Tice: 9-8

• Mina Kimes: 10-7

Jordan Love, Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft return to pace a potent offense. But the defense remains a concern, particularly until Micah Parsons can return from ACL and meniscus tears. The defensive superstar is aiming for a Week 6 return on "Sunday Night Football" against the same Cowboys team that traded him a year ago.

"It's all gonna hinge on [Parsons]," Kimes said. "He is truly the X factor."