NFC North stock up, down: Jahymr Gibbs ready to shine, while Jordan Love faces uphill climb

With Week 1 of the NFL season now upon us, here's a look at whose stock is up and down in the NFC North. 

Stock up

Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back: Chandler now holds the backup position once occupied by the Vikings' current starter, Alexander Mattison, but after seeing only six rushing attempts during his rookie year, he can count on an increased role in 2023. Not only will Chandler have more impact in the rushing game, but head coach Kevin O'Connell recently revealed that he'd get the first shot at kickoff duties after the Vikings waived former first-round pick WR Jalen Reagor. The Vikings did add veteran Myles Gaskin to the backfield mix with only five years of experience between Mattison and Chandler. However, that move is unlikely to impact the second-year back's opportunities to succeed. 

Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions running back: Selected 12th overall in this year's NFL Draft, Gibbs will probably be a focal point of the Lions offense this year. However, with newcomer David Montgomery due the bulk of the carries, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson recently teased that the Lions could use Gibbs "in some ways that people don't quite think we might." His senior year at Alabama, Gibbs rushed for nearly 1,000 yards (926). Still, he was also impactful in the passing game, finishing with 44 catches for 444 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 10.1 yards per reception. While the Lions will undoubtedly use his pass-catching skills out of the backfield, Johnson's comments hint at something more unique. Whether that means seeing Gibbs lined up as a wideout, we'll have to wait and see, but there's no doubt the Lions have cooked up something special for the rookie.

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears quarterback: Fields has a golden opportunity this season to change the perception that he's only a threat as a running quarterback, and he appears ready to prove it right away when the Bears take on the rival Green Bay Packers in Week 1. When asked this week by reporters about teams potentially forcing him to beat them with his arm, Fields responded confidently, "That's fine with me." Fields was sharp during the preseason, finishing 5-of-9 for 180 yards and two touchdowns. And with an improved offensive line and a slew of new weapons headlined by WR D.J. Moore, the third-year QB can make a statement with a big day through the air against the Packers, shaking off a stigma while also turning around a disturbing trend. The Bears have lost eight straight to the Packers and are only 3-17 against the Cheeseheads since 2013. 

Stock down

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers quarterback: Entering his first season as the official "guy" in Green Bay, Love may begin the 2023 season with his back against the wall. Aside from the challenge of filling the enormous cleats left behind by future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, Love may have to face the Bears in Week 1 without two of his best weapons on offense. Both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs missed practice on Wednesday with hamstring injuries, potentially creating a massive hole at wide receiver for Love and the Packers. With Watson's and Doubs' statuses for Sunday's opener uncertain, Love may have to rely on 2023 second-round pick Jayden Reed as his No. 1 target. In 2022, no one gave up more points per game (27.2) than the Bears, while only the Houston Texans (379.5), Minnesota Vikings (388.7) and Detroit Lions (392.4) gave up more yards. However, if the Packers are undermanned, Sunday could be an early test for Love to pass. 

Bears offensive line: Before the 2023 season's first snap, the Bears offensive line is already slightly unsettled. Last week, Chicago placed starting left guard Teven Jenkins on injured reserve, creating several potential holes. Chicago traded a 2024 sixth-rounder to the Miami Dolphins for O-lineman Dan Feeney to help fill the void, and there's still a possibility that Cody Whitehair will move back to guard while Lucas Patrick will take over the open spot at center. Only seven starters this preseason had less time to throw on average per dropback than Fields (3.05 seconds). However, with the line already in flux, Fields' time in the pocket might decline even more in Week 1 versus the rival Packers. 

Isaiah Buggs, Detroit Lions defensive lineman:  Despite inking a two-year, $4.5 million contract during the offseason, Buggs has seemingly fallen out of favor in Detroit. Following a spree of now-deleted social media posts, Buggs addressed the issue, revealing he'd be a healthy scratch for the Lions' opener Thursday against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Head coach Dan Campbell said the team based its decision to bench Buggs on the "tape" but added that the DT can work his way back into the Lions rotation. Buggs is the Lions' lead run-stuffer and is coming off career-highs in starts (13), sacks (1.0) and tackles (46). If Buggs hopes to regain his spot, he'll have to play the good soldier for now and wait his turn.