Who will win the NFC North?

Post columnist Steve Serby breaks down each team and every division in the NFC as part of our 2019 NFL preview:

1. Minnesota Vikings

Coach: Mike Zimmer

2018 record: 8-7-1

O/U wins: 9

Key additions: G Josh Kline, DT Shamar Stephen, K Dan Bailey, C Garrett Bradbury, TE Irv Smith Jr., RB Alexander Mattison

Key losses: DT Sheldon Richardson, G/T Mike Remmers, RB Latavius Murray, OL Nick Easton

First-and-goal: Kirk Cousins, with more play-action, should better earn his $84 million with three-headed offensive brain trust Kevin Stefanski, Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison. RB Dalvin Cook can be a game-breaker if he can stay healthy. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are a formidable receiving duo, and rookie TE Irv Smith Jr. and veteran Kyle Rudolph should complement each other well. First-round C Garrett Bradbury moves Pat Elflein to left guard and should help Cook improve the league’s 30th-ranked rushing attack. The defensive line is loaded with Danielle Hunter, Linval Joseph and Everson Griffin. LB Anthony Barr, who was tempted to play for Gregg Williams, will be together with Eric Kendrick for a fifth season. Pro Football Focus has the secondary led by CB Xavier Rhodes and S Harrison Smith ranked 10th.

Fourth-and-long: Cousins needs to show more nerve and play big in the big games. The O-line remains a long way from elite. The place-kicking remains an issue. Sheldon Richardson leaving for the Browns weakens the interior pressure, and Joseph turns 31 in October.

Serby Says: 10-6. Cousins will be assisted this time by Cook.

2. Green Bay Packers

Coach: Matt LaFleur

2018 record: 6-9-1

O/U wins: 9

Key additions: EDGE Za’Darius Smith, S Adrian Amos, EDGE Preston Smith, G Billy Turner, DE Rashan Gary, S Darnell Savage

Key losses: DL Muhammad Wilkerson, EDGE Clay Matthews, EDGE Nick Perry, WR Randall Cobb, ILB Jake Ryan, CB Bashaud Breeland

First-and-goal: Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have Mike McCarthy to kick around anymore. WR Davante Adams can reach the century mark in receptions again. A-Rod likes slot WR Geronimo Allison, who was plagued by injuries last season, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jake Kumerow. RB Aaron Jones should be a 1,000-yard rusher if he can play more than 12 games. LT David Bakhtiari belongs in the Pro Bowl and C Corey Linsley is emerging on a deep O-line. Jaire Alexander has a chance to be a shutdown corner. Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and first-rounder Rashan Gary should give defensive coordinator Mike Pettine a pass rush. NT Kenny Clark (six sacks) is a stud. Adrian Amos and first-rounder Darnell Savage are an upgraded safety tandem. ILB Blake Martinez is the quarterback of the defense.

Fourth-and-long: How can we be certain that everything will be lollipops and rainbows between Rodgers and his rookie coach LaFleur? LG Lane Taylor gave up eight sacks last season. Tall CB Kevin King has played in only 15 games in his first two seasons.

Serby Says: 9-7. Danica Patrick has the Over.

3. Chicago Bears

Coach: Matt Nagy

2018 record: 12-4

O/U wins: 9

Key additions: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, CB Buster Skrine, RB Mike Davis, WR Cordarrelle Patterson

Key losses: S Adrian Amos, CB Bryce Callahan, RB Jordan Howard, WR Kevin White

First-and-goal: Buddy Ryan would have loved coaching Monsters of the Midway Khalil Mack, Eddie Goldman, Leonard Floyd, Akiem Hicks and Eddie Jackson. Rookie RB David Montgomery is a better fit than Jordan Howard. Elusive, electric Tarik Cohen is a problem. WR Allen Robinson is another year removed from a torn ACL, and WR Anthony Miller can be a red-zone threat. James Daniels is back at center, his natural position, so Cody Whitehair shifts to left guard. All five O-line starters return. Cordarrelle Patterson juices the return game.

Fourth-and-long: QB Mitchell Trubisky, drafted ahead of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, needs to take another leap. Vic Fangio has been replaced as defensive coordinator by Chuck Pagano, no slouch, but Fangio will be missed. Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos will be replaced by Buster Skrine and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, no laughing matter. O-line depth an issue. Can Eddy Pineiro be the answer to place-kicking prayers and make the fan base forget Cody Parkey?

Serby Says: 8-8. It all depends on Trubisky’s development.

4. Detroit Lions

Coach: Matt Patricia

2018 record: 6-10

O/U wins: 6 ¹/₂

Key additions: DE Trey Flowers, DT Mike Daniels, WR Danny Amendola, TE T.J. Hockenson, TE Jesse James, RB C.J. Anderson, CB Justin Coleman

Key losses: S Glover Quin, DE Ezekiel Ansah, G T.J. Lang, CB Nevin Lawson, WR T.J. Jones

First-and-goal: Matthew Stafford played through a back issue last season and should be helped by new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. WR Kenny Golladay is a big, emerging target and RB Kerryon Johnson (32 receptions in 10 games) is in for a bigger workload, especially with Theo Riddick gone, though squatty C.J. Anderson will be asked to keep him fresh. First-round TE T.J.Hockenson is as advertised, a boon to both running and passing games. TE Jesse James is another big target. WR Danny Amendola is a small one. Marvin Jones is the deep threat. Ex-Patriots DE Trey Flowers helps Damon “Snacks” Harrison and Jarrad Davis stuff the run. Mike Daniels adds quality depth to the defensive line. CB Darius “Big Play” Slay should be avoided by opposing quarterbacks. PK Matt Prater can boom ’em.

Fourth-and-long: There is no dominant pass rusher. Davis will miss some time with a high ankle sprain. That will mean more of rookie Jahlani Tavai and Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Slay still doesn’t have a cornerback bookend because Teez Tabor has been a draft bust. Tackles Taylor Decker and Rick Wagner look to rebound from suspect pass protection last season.

Serby Says: 7-9. Happy birthday to owner Martha Firestone Ford, who turns 94 on Sept. 16.

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