NFC North Predictions for 2023: Vikings roar while Lions cower

1st Place in the NFC North

Minnesota Vikings

• Final Record: 12-5
• Division Record: 5-1

Listen, if it truly seemed like the Minnesota Vikings are going to tumble back down to Earth this year after winning 13 games last season, I'd be the first person to agree with this thought. But the Vikings might actually be better than the team they had out on the field in 2022.

Minnesota replaced an aging Adam Thielen with a first-round rookie in Jordan Addison, who put on a show during every training camp practice this summer. The Vikings parted with one of 2022's least efficient running backs in the NFL in Dalvin Cook, and they appear to be leaning towards utilizing a more physical rushing attack.

Kirk Cousins (you know, that guy everyone likes now following his appearance in Netflix's "Quarterback" docu-series this summer?) gets to work with the same play-caller and run the same offensive scheme for the second year in a row for the first time since he was with Sean McVay in Washington.

Cousins also gets to throw to the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year in superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson, who just signed on to continue being one of his quarterback's favorite targets for the next few seasons.

On the defensive side of the ball, Minnesota doesn't have a very high bar to clear to be regarded as better than last year's unit. The Vikings' defense is now night and day compared to last season, with new defensive coordinator Brian Flores implementing an aggressive scheme that is going to make the opposing quarterback's life miserable with all the pressure that will be sent his way.

Lastly, this might not seem as obvious, but Kevin O'Connell now having a full year under his belt as Minnesota's head coach is significant. O'Connell should be even more comfortable in his role as the cool and collected leader of the Vikings, and this should have a positive impact on the team's chance for success this season.