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The hit HBO show “Game of Thrones” that racked up a record 32 Emmy nominations became such a cultural force that it even unintentionally spawned a slogan for one of the NFL’s most tradition-rich divisions.“Defend the North” was a familiar mantra for the mythical characters in the vicious drama. That might as well be the theme of this season for the Chicago Bears Aaron Lynch Jersey , who became NFC North champions last year for the first time since 2010 behind a ferocious defense led by All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack.The Bears were the league leader in turnovers forced and points allowed and ranked third in sacks and yards, the biggest reason they went 12-4 in coach Matt Nagy’s first season. Mack, acquired in the blockbuster trade with Oakland eight days before the 2018 opener, is back to headline the unit along with fellow Pro Bowl picks cornerback Kyle Fuller, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and safety Eddie Jackson.The Bears have plenty of defensive company in this division, though.The Minnesota Vikings, who stumbled to an 8-7-1 record after reaching the NFC title game, kept their deep, experienced group intact for coach Mike Zimmer’s critical sixth year on the sideline. Hey, they even use a wintry, “Game of Thrones”-style pregame hype video in the build-up to kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium.Sure, the Green Bay Packers are still quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ team. Their biggest offseason move was to hire Matt LaFleur as their new coach, hoping to have found the NFL’s latest under-40 offensive mastermind. They used free agency to find three new starters on defense Kevin White Color Rush Jersey , however, including signing safety Adrian Amos away from the Bears. One source of optimism for a turnaround in Titletown from a 6-9-1 finish starts with the acumen of defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who stayed on staff after the changeover from the fired Mike McCarthy.Don’t forget the Detroit Lions, either, despite their 6-10 record in 2018. They’ve begun their second year under coach Matt Patricia , the defensive coordinator for two Super Bowl-winning teams with New England, with a spruced-up front four. They picked up former Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers in free agency and ex-Packers defensive tackle Mike Daniels, a 2017 Pro Bowl pick who became a salary cap casualty, right before training camp.With the Bears (third), Vikings (fourth) and Lions (10th), the NFC North sported three of the top 10 defenses in the league last season in terms of yards allowed. Here’s a closer look at the NFC North quartet in 2019:NEW BOSSThe Bears again ought to be difficult to advance against, with offensive disrupters well established at each of the three levels even if they can’t maintain their torrid takeaway pace of 2018 with 27 interceptions and nine fumbles recovered out of 19 fumbles forced. Chuck Pagano replaced Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator after Fangio took the step up to become Denver’s coach.“We understand what the expectations are. It’s really change the changeable, accept the unchangeable https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Riley-Ridley-Jersey , right? And remove whatever’s not good,” Pagano said.Assuming more progress by quarterback Mitch Trubisky and running back Tarik Cohen in Nagy’s creative scheme, the position that could make or break Chicago’s chance of repeating as division champion for the first time since 2006 is kicker. For now, that person is Eddy Pineiro. He emerged from the drawn-out competition to replace Cody Parkey, who infamously missed a 43-yard field goal in the one-point loss at home to Philadelphia in the playoffs.ON THE REBOUND?The Vikings have failed to finish with a winning record twice in five years under Zimmer (7-9 in 2014 and 8-8 in 2016), and they followed both flops with a division title the next season. They’ll lean on Zimmer’s proud, seasoned defense to try to extend that trend, with all but one starter returning. This group has become so tight-knit that linebacker Anthony Barr couldn’t bring himself to leave in free agency, reneging on a verbal agreement with the New York Jets after a sleepless night in March.The offense under quarterback Kirk Cousins disappeared down the stretch last year. Zimmer’s first remedy was to hire former Denver and Houston coach Gary Kubiak as an offensive adviser. Cousins has a new center, Garrett Bradbury, and a dynamic tight end, Irv Smith Jr., thanks to the first two rounds of the draft. Ultimately David Montgomery Jersey , Cousins must produce more of those clutch performances in critical games that his NFL resume has so far lacked.“I’m pretty much a .500 quarterback in my career so far, and I don’t think that’s where you want to be,” Cousins said. “That’s not why you’re brought in or why people are excited about you.”QUENCHING FOR THE QBRodgers has entered his 15th season and his 12th as the starter in a new system under LaFleur, who was the offensive coordinator for Tennessee last year. While the once-potent offense in Green Bay has not been nearly as dangerous in recent seasons, the onus falls just as hard on Pettine’s defense to help the Packers return to the playoffs after a rare two-year absence.They signed pass rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith along with Amos in free agency, and they used first-round draft picks on outside linebacker Rashan Gary and safety Darnell Savage.“It’s just a different feel on that side of the ball,” Rodgers said. “I feel like there’s a little more juice.”TAKE IT AWAYThough the Lions lost seven of their last 10 games last season, the defense finished strong with a total of 27 points allowed over the final four games. Premier run stuffer Damon Harrison Sr. will have Daniels and Flowers on either side, a strengthened front that ought to help the Lions improve upon their second-worst-in-the-league total of 14 turnovers forced last year, and give quarterback Matthew Stafford more support.“It’s going to be scary to see what they can do. From a back-end standpoint, that’s exactly what you want,” said free safety Andrew Adams, one of several additions to the secondary. “We’re all licking our chops.”PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:Vikings https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Jim-Mcmahon-Jersey , Bears, Packers, Lions The schedule will be out tomorrow, so until then, let’s speculate"The NFL schedule will be released tomorrow.The Chicago Bears followed up that announcement with the news that single-game tickets will go on sale immediately after at 8:30 p.m. CT: We already know that the Bears will open their centennial season against Green Bay on Thursday, Sept. 5 but the rest of the schedule will be unveiled on the NFL Network and ESPN at 8 p.m. leaked throughout the day Wednesday.The Bears, coming off their best season in eight seasons and one of the expected contenders for Super Bowl LIV, will likely be on prime-time a lot.I know many Bears fans prefer those comfortable and familiar noon Central kick offs, but that isn’t the reality when the team is good and filled with eight returning Pro-Bowlers and league-wide stars such as Khalil Mack and Eddie Jackson.The Bears will likely have the maximum number of prime-time games, although some will likely be subject to flex scheduling, as well as the network “protection” they can place on certain games to save them from being flexed.Last year ten teams had five prime-time games scheduled when the schedule was released.Since we already know one, I will take a look at four more possible prime-time match ups and just for you-know-what and giggles I’ll take a stab at whether it will be a Thursday, Sunday or Monday night match up.vs. Dallas CowboysThis is easy to predict. Five of the last six meetings between these squads came in prime-time and the Cowboys are always a favorite of the prime-time schedule makers. With both teams coming off playoff appearances this has Sunday Night Football written all over it.vs. Kansas City ChiefsThis one is a little tricky. I could see this one being coveted for a 3:25 p.m. CT kick off on CBS with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo calling the action but I think seeing Matt Nagy go against his mentor Andy Reid Walter Payton Color Rush Jersey , as well as 2017 NFL Draft picks Mitchell Trubisky and Patrick Mahomes duke it out is too good not to put on prime-time. This would be a hyped Monday Night Football game in late October or November.at L.A. RamsLast season’s Week 14 meeting was a clash of the NFL’s elite and ended up being a tough, hard-nosed old school football game in a cold Chicago. I think there is enough national curiosity to see how the Bears would’ve fared in LA in the postseason and now see if the Rams can compete against a very elite defense after having a dud Super Bowl against the Patriots. This is a great Sunday Night Football match.at Philadelphia EaglesThree of the last four regular season meetings between these teams occurred in prime-time, save for the dismal John Fox-led squad against the rolling Carson Wentz squad in 2017. It nearly goes back to four of five if you consider the 3:25 p.m. slot as primetime games, since those regularly end up the most-watched games of the NFL weekend. With a close playoff loss hanging over the Bears and questions about if Carson Wentz can get it done for Philly, this game has enough intrigue to be a Monday night game.Other options: The Bears have played on Thanksgiving three of the past five seasons (2014, 2015 and 2018) so it isn’t out of the realm that they would end up playing at Detroit again or against another opponent in the late slot.The Bears and Vikings have met in prime-time in each of the last three seasons. The question is, do the schedule makers want to put Kirk Cousins back into prime-time after watching him wilt so much under the lights? It’s certainly possible, because the Vikings are in ‘win-now or else’ mode and should still be a good team.The Saints and Bears have played two of their last five meetings in prime-time and haven’t met in prime-time since 2014. This would be a good match up at Soldier Field on a Thursday or Sunday night.Finally, the Bears and Giants have a long and storied history. I don’t think there are enough expectations for New York to justify giving them a coveted Monday or Sunday night slot against Chicago, but I could see an early season Thursday night game.How many prime-time games do you think the Bears will have? Which opponents will it be?