Christmas is a time of wonder; a time of joy; a time of wishing; a time of giving. While I, nor Santa, can give each NFL team what they need this year, there's certainly no question as to what the fans are wishing for. So for Christmas 2015, let's take a look at what every NFC North fanbase -- the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions -- is wishing for this year.
Packers:
Super Bowl.
Obviously, that's the first thing any Packers fan would want right now, but is it realistic? That team has sparcely looked like a contender over the past two months after starting the 2015 NFL season 6-0.
Some wishes that would make a lot more sense these days include some help for Aaron Rodgers. That could take a lot of forms, starting with the offensive line. How long has it been since Rodgers had a great offensive line? Well, forever, because he's never had one since he took over for Brett Favre. There were times when the line was passable, but right now it's atrocious. They can't pass protect worth a damn, and the run blocking is so inconsistent. Sadly, when they do run block well, what do the running backs do?
Fumble. So that's another thing Packers fans certainly want: running backs who can hold on to the dang ball.
Speaking of holding onto the ball, how about some receivers who can catch? Davante Adams is a joke. Richard Rodgers isn't all that much out of the tight end spot. Other than Randall Cobb and James Jones, when they have time to run routes and actually do it effectively, there's not much hope. Jared Abbrederis, anyone?
Vikings
A playoff victory.
Right now, things are looking pretty good for the Vikings. At 9-5, they have probably the most complete and consistent team in the division. Despite still being down a game to the Packers, Minnesota has the most promise behind a stout running attack, smart quarterback play, group of young and explosive receivers and the best defense in the NFC North by a mile.
However, the Vikings haven't won a playoff game since 2009. It's not enough to just get there; they need to win at least one game to consider this a successful season. They don't want to become the Cincinnati Bengals with this young team on the rise.
Bears
A defense? Some health? An offensive line? A kicker?
There are quite a few wishes for this Bears team. The coaching staff is excellent, and about the only thing that gets an A for this season.
This staff took a team that was expected to be a bottom dweller in 2015 and turned them into -- almost -- a wild-card contender. Obviously, after faltering the past couple of weeks because of some missed field goals and a now-struggling defense, they're 5-9 and no longer in the hunt. But, the fact that they were in it at all and competitive nearly every game this season is majorly impressive.
Ultimately, though, this team needs to fill a lot of holes this offseason. So the biggest wish could be for GM Ryan Pace and company to hit on as many free-agent signings and draft picks as they did last offseason. If he does, then the Bears may actually make the playoffs in 2016.
Lions
Um, yeah.
Not sure where to start with this team. Like the Bears, they're also 5-9, but Detroit got there in a very different way.
Starting the year 1-7 was brutal. Expected to at least contend for a playoff spot at the beginning of the year, they were basically out of the race by Week 8. The loss of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley has played a huge role in their defensive dominance that they displayed prior to this season declining. Even offensively, though, they've taken a huge step back. The offensive line has regressed and the run game has been putrid all year long.
If you're a Lions fan, though, your biggest concern and wish at this point of the season has to involve the GM search. Detriot has been longing for a good general manager for decades, and it's about time they find one.
