NFC North Match-up: Where Washington Stands

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August 1, 2025

by David Earl

Washington’s NFC North Match-ups

Previously I pointed out some key points heading into this season both offensively and defensively, so I won’t go into that detail again here. You can read here the pressure Jayden Daniels faced behind the offensive line, the lack of run game from the running backs, the defensive side of the ball, plus a few more points. The NFC North looks to be a very deep division with the Chicago Bears being probably the biggest wild card of the group. Before I dive into some key matchup points, here are some statistical numbers from the 2024 season from Washington.

Offensively
  • Ranked 6th in points per game at 28.8
  • Ranked 10th in yards per play at 5.7
  • Ranked 6th at yards per rush at 4.8 yards
  • Ranked 6th in completion percentage, at 68.91%
  • Ranked 7th in quarterback rating, at 101.8
Defensively
  • Ranked 22nd in points per game at 24.9
  • Ranked 26th in yards per play at 5.7
  • Ranked 31st in yards per rush at 5.0
  • Ranked 6th in completion percentage at 62.74%
  • Ranked 18th in quarterback rating at 93.4
  • Ranked 8th in sack rate at 7.58%

So, heading into these matchups Washington will hope the moves to improve the rush defense will pay off, as the middle of this defensive front was gashed far too often. While they did appear to take a hit on the pass rush side, the addition of edge rusher Von Miller should help to offset the loss of Dante Fowler. It should also be noted that early in training camp rookie second round pick CB Trey Amos has looked strong especially, in on field adjustments. If Amos can be alongside what appears to be a healthy Marshon Lattimore, then the second year rookie standout will have this coaching staff very hopeful. Of course, it is early and it’s a long camp. With that said let’s look at what Washington will face from the NFC North in the 2025 season.

What Washington’s defense will face offensively will be three top 10 offenses from last season in points per game average in the Detroit Lions (33.1 PPG), Green Bay Packers (26.1 PPG), and the Minnesota Vikings (24.5 PPG). Of these 3 teams, the Vikings could see the biggest setback with second year quarterback J.J. McCarthy and journeyman Sam Howell as Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks. Of course, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and a fully recovered tight end TJ Hockenson will force Washington’s defense to be honest, but it’s the Vikings 24th ranked run game that averages 4.1 yards per carry that will potentially be their Achillies heel. As for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, their offenses are young and explosive. The Lions’ only potential setback will be losing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but I wouldn’t count on that as a major advantage for Washington. The Packers,  behind running back Josh Jacobs, may be the most balanced offense they will face, mixed with an explosive rookie receiver Matthew Golden who adds in both the run and pass game.

The Chicago Bears offense is the ultimate wild card of this group. They ranked near dead last in many of the major offensive categories, but Ben Johnson is one of the best play callers in the NFL and I don’t see a league worst offense this 2025 season. Their additions of guard Joe Thuney, guard Jonah Jackson, and center Drew Dalman revamp one of the league’s worst offensive lines in the 2025 season in pass protection. They allowed a 10.73% sack rate (ranked last) and the consistent pressure allowed resulted in a league 27th ranked 62.37% completion percentage. The improvements up front plus drafting tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden III give the Bears great potential of improvement offensively. Quarterback Caleb Williams will be not only protected well up front and surrounded by plenty of weapons, he will benefit greatly from Ben Johnson, who coaches exceptionally well to his talent. The Bears should round out a division where Washington’s defense will certainly be tested and pushed to their limits.

Washington’s offense, with an improved offensive line and the addition of Deebo Samuel, should hold up well in three of the four matchups with Jayden Daniels leading the way. The Packers, Vikings, and Bears secondaries did not make any real significant upgrades. They ranked in the back half of the league in completion percentage allowed. The Detroit Lions are the one defense that saw the biggest improvement in this offseason. With the return of star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions added Pro-Bowl corner in D.J. Reed and one of the best slot corners in the NFL in Avonte Maddox. Where the Packers may have the most balanced offenses in this division, the Lions present the deepest and most talented team out of the 4 teams. As I alluded to earlier, a change in coordinators could be their only true setback. As the playoff dominance Washington had in Detroit last season, do not allow that to skew your view of this matchup as the Lions are going to be one of the best teams in the entire NFL.

Before I share my potential outcomes, the layout of the schedule will certainly play a role here too. When it comes to the Lions they will be motivated from last year’s playoff loss and playing in Washington won’t come into play for Washington. They lose to the Lions in a game they pull away late in the 3rd quarter winning by at least two scores. The Packers week two will come after a rough divisional matchup against the New York Giants. They will be on the road on Monday night and Jayden Daniels has proven to raise his play on primetime games. This will be a game down to the wire and possibly go into overtime, but the Packers will ultimately prevail holding homefield advantage. The Bears in week 6 on another prime-time game Monday night at home is a wildcard game in my view. The Bears will be much improved as Ben Johnson will have Caleb Williams and this offense beginning to gel around this time of the season. There will be a revenge factor here too from last season, so this is truly a pick-em game here, so I’ll take the home team in Washington for the win. Week 16 they get the Vikings after what I see as a very tough game against the Denver Broncos the week before and head into the following 4 weeks against divisional opponents. The Vikings will go as their quarterback will this week, as their defense is susceptible against the pass plus their rushing offense is league average. Right now, I give the edge to Washington in a very tight close game. In conclusion here are the significant offseason moves from each team thus far.

Detroit Lions:
Minnesota Vikings:
Green Bay Packers:
Chicago Bears: