Another on the shortlist for toughest division in the league, the NFC North will again be a hard-fought contest with the Green Bay Packers facing a huge challenge to keep their title.
DETROIT LIONS (4-12)
Ins: RB Reggie Bush, S Glover Quin, DE Jason Jones, DE Ziggy Ansah, CB Darius Slay, DE Israel Idonije, K David Akers, RB Montell Owens, DT C.J. Mosley, OG Leroy Harris, OG Jake Scott.
Outs: OT Jeff Backus, OT Gosder Cherilus, OG Stephen Peterman, LB Justin Durant, DE Cliff Avril, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE Lawrence Jackson, K Jason Hanson, WR Titus Young.
Star Man: Calvin Johnson - Megatron is a beast of a receiver but he badly needs some help on the other side of the field and from a running game the Lions have never quite got going - if they can do that then Johnson can be the difference.
Outlook: It's a big year for head coach Jim Schwartz after just four wins last year and with recognised stars on both sides of the ball. Matthew Stafford needs a solid second receiver to step up alongside Johnson - but the signing of Reggie Bush might help with both that and the ground game the Lions badly need after a string of injured backs.
On defence, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are a gruesome twosome of defensive tackles to rival any in the league, and rookie Ezekiel 'Ziggy' Ansah looks a good prospect at defensive end, but these guys up front will have to play well with worries over the strength of the secondary.
CHICAGO BEARS (10-6)
Ins: LT Jermon Bushrod, TE Martellus Bennett, G Matt Slauson, G Kyle Long, LB James Anderson, LB D.J. Williams.
Outs: LB Brian Urlacher, DE Israel Idonije, LB Nick Roach.
Star Man: Matt Forte - It's a sixth NFL season for Forte, and although Brandon Marshall is Jay Cutler's favourite receiver this dual-threat running back could be the star of the show if he gets a few more balls thrown his way. He is an almost certainty to get 1,000 rushing yards if he plays the full season.
Outlook: A flying start last season was followed by a whimpering finish which cost them a play-off spot and made it just one post-season berth in six years, signalling an end to Lovie Smith's tenure as head coach. Now Marc Trestman has the task of getting the Bears back in the big time and bringing the best out of Cutler.
An expiring contract could spark a surge in Cutler's form, but he has the talent himself and around him - Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte and new tight end Martellus Bennett could shine, and there's also an upgrade in offensive line. If Cutler can be coaxed into playing well the Bears have a chance, but their defence is now starting to age.
Verdict
It's so tough to call this one, with four tough teams and divisional games being such brutal affairs at times. Preference is for the Packers to make it a hat-trick though; they have the best QB, maybe the best in the league, and a talented set of wideouts.
The Vikings should be better for three first-round picks and a veteran receiver in Jennings, but the jury is still out on Ponder. The gap between these three could be tiny but the Lions are backed to just pip the Bears to third with a big improvement from last year.
