This season is full of interesting plots with old faces in new places, the Brett Favre saga, and off-season hold outs. These story lines will most certainly have an effect on the outcome of certain teams season's. Injuries have ravaged certain teams, and might open some doors for some clubs to pass the teams that are considered superior in rankings. This post is about the NFC North.
NFC NORTH:
1. Green Bay Packers-
Offense: Well most of us have heard of about or seen the tremendous offensive play of the Packers in the preseason, and this might be the team who comes out with the top offense by the end of the year. Aaron Rodgers entered the NFL's group of elite QBs last year with his stellar performance last year and is looking to cement that status even further this year. He has fabulous weapons in WR Greg Jennings and TE Jermicheal Finely. They will need the offensive line to be much better in order to be the top contender, but I don't see that as being a major problem in the end. This offense is poised to make a Superbowl run.
Defense: The Packers defense is outstanding, it is probably the most complete defense in the league. Star linebackers like Clay Mathews and a D-Line that features run stoppers like Cullen Jenkins and B.J. Raji are valuable assets to this defense, but perhaps the scariest part of this defense is their secondary, led by last years Defensive MVP, Charles Woodson. It is a physical and well coached secondary that can shut-down opposing QBs with great coverage. The overall physicality of this defense makes it one of the best.
Season Result: The Packers have the makings of a Super Bowl team. They'll finish 12-4 or 13-3, and are my top pick to be NFC Champs.
2. Minnesota Vikings-
Offense: Favre was amazing last year, but unfortunately for him blew what I think was his last opportunity to get a ring with that pick he threw in the NFC Championship last year. Keeping him out of retirement was great for the Vikings, but losing his favorite target, Sidney Rice, for half the year might of capped his maximum effectiveness for this year and will be detrimental to this offense.They will be forced to rely on All-Pro RB Adrian Peterson, which is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as he's cured his fumblitis.
Defense: There is no doubt that the Vikings have one of the best D-Lines in league with DEs Jared Allen, Ray Edwards and the Williams Wall in the middle. Their linebackers are definitely a tremendous asset to this team BUT......... the secondary leaves much to be desired. Questions at safety along with injuries across the board make it a favorable match-up for opposing QBs and will probably be their weak spot all year.
Season Result: I think the Vikes will be 10-6 with their schedule. They will be in the hunt by the end of the year if Favre and A.P. stay healthy.
3. Chicago Bears-
Offense: Can Mike Martz salvage the Jay Culter trade and turn him into an upper echelon QB again? Maybe. It hinges on Cutler's maturity and whether he can handle Martz's risk-reward style. But another major question is will the slew of younger receivers in Chicago be able to step up to the plate for Cutler? Another maybe. Bottom line, to me Chicago's offense is not convincing enough to be a serious contender for the play-offs.
Defense: This Bear's defense is certainly an interesting one. The addition of Julius Peppers automatically makes it better, but will it be enough? It depends on if Tommie Harris and Brian Urlacher can bounce back as the anchors this defense. If they can, then this could turn out to be a pretty good group. The secondary is solid, they finished 13th last year against the pass and I'm looking for them to get better with another year and another pass rusher in the group (Peppers). The D might end up keeping this team alive.
Season Result: Chicago's offense could prove me wrong, but the only way I see them making it is if Jay Cutler steps up. This team will finish 8-8.
4. Detroit Lions-
Offense: This offense might be the most under-rated in the league. A young team with a good O-line and talented players, they have potential to put up big numbers and maybe challenge the Bears for the #3 spot in this division. WR Calvin Johnson Jr. is their best player, and will get more chances to show it now that teams can't just focus all their defensive strength on him. And that's because the Lions have added key playmakers like WR Nate Burleson, TE Tony Scheffler, and promising rookie RB Jahvid Best. Matthew Stafford will have fun this year.
Defense: This was the worst defensive unit of 2009. It hasn't gotten too much better, but key offseason acquisitions make it slightly more respectable. Rookie Ndamukong Suh and veteran DE Kyle van Dan Bosch revamp a weak D-Line, but the loss of Ernie Sims, and the condition of the secondary still make this unit weak. The will start without the man who is arguably their best defensive player and definitely their best player in the secondary, Louis Delmas. The defensive will hold this team back for sure.
Season Results: I can realistically see the Lions winning 6 games on offense alone. But the defense will hold them back. Lions 6-10.
Stay tuned, next post will be on the AFC North!
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