It's not how you start, it's how you finish, right? It's a sound philosophy that applies to most circumstances, but starting fast usually results in relevant games in January in the NFL.
The best way to break down an NFL season is by quarters. Much like a football game, quality teams focus on one play, one drive, and one quarter at a time. And while it's fun to predict a team's end-of-year record when the new schedule comes out, it's better to narrow our focus to the first four games of the year.
With that in mind, a fast start could be coming for the Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFC North.
We already predicted the Bears' record after the first four games of the 2022 season, which you can find here. Spoiler alert: we have them at an even 2-2 record.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers begin their season on the road against the Minnesota Vikings before welcoming the Bears to Lambeau Field in Week 2's Sunday Night Football matchup. The Packers travel to Tampa Bay to take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in Week 3 before hosting Mac Jones and the New England Patriots in Green Bay in Week 4.
It's a tough slate of games for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his cast of misfit wide receivers. The Vikings won't be an easy out, and while they should beat Chicago in Week 2, there's a real chance that Rodgers will be staring at a 1-3 record after four games. We'll give Green Bay the benefit of the doubt, they'll win at least one of the non-Bears games, evening their record at 2-2.
Minnesota Vikings
As for the Vikings, they have the Packers at home in Week 1, they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in Week 2, are home against the Detroit Lions in Week 3, and close out the first quarter in a game at New Orleans against the Saints.
Would you be shocked if the Vikings begin the year 4-0? I wouldn't. The Eagles, Lions, and Saints are, at best, average teams. The Packers are the only game Minnesota will likely be underdogs. I don't trust Kirk Cousins enough to bet on him running the table, so we'll go with a 3-1 record for the Vikings.
Detroit Lions
Then there's the Lions, who played better last season than their 3-13-1 record would indicate. They're a tough team, and the additions of Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams in the 2022 NFL draft will pay big dividends this year. Their first-quarter schedule is highly favorable, too, and could lead to Detroit being one of the bigger storylines to begin the 2022 season.
The Lions face the Eagles at home in Week 1, the Washington Commanders at home in Week 2, they're at the Vikings in Week 3, and welcome the Seattle Seahawks in a home game in Week 4.
By my count, that's three very winnable games for Detroit. A 3-1 record is attainable. And if the Lions win three games, they'll end the first quarter tied for first place in the NFC North.
Hot start coming for the NFC North in 2022
Let's summarize. The NFC North, after four games, could look like this: Lions, 3-1, Vikings, 3-1, Packers, 2-2, and Bears, 2-2.
Rodgers remains the undisputed king of the division, but a battle for NFC North supremacy is coming. And it'll kick off in 2022.
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