Here are my predictions for the NFC North!
1. Green Bay Packers (projected division winners) - The Green Bay Packers have dominated the NFC North to such an extent in recent years, that it is not even funny. Amazingly, the fact that the Lions were far more competitive than many expected, and almost won the division, fighting literally until the last week before bowing to the Packers, actually seems to reinforce this notion of Packers supremacy. Detroit played the Wild Card game, and lost to the Cowboys in Dallas (despite a controversial call). The Cowboys then traveled to Lambeau Field, where they lost to the Packers (despite a controversial call). And the Packers then traveled to Seattle and seemed to be in control, before losing to the Seahawks (despite a controversial call). Green Bay ultimately won the division, even if they just squeaked it out. But in the playoffs, the Packers were a huge factor, while the Lions, predictably, failed to win a single game. Of course, it helps when Aaron Rodgers is your quarterback, who might be the best quarterback in the league right now. Green Bay probably at least should have been playing in last year's Super Bowl. It was a unique set of circumstances that prevented them from getting there, and the Pack have had all off-season to think about it. But Green Bay remains loaded and hungry for another title shot to follow up on the tremendous promise that they showed in 2010. This could be the year that they finally show, once and for all, that the Super Bowl XLV win was no fluke, and it begins with another convincing defense of their division title, which they have won now in each of the last four seasons. Make it five after this year.
4. Minnesota Vikings (projected second place) - The Minnesota Vikings are one of those teams that seem to always be in the revolving door of fortunes. Sometimes, they are able to get access into good fortune, and are one of the better teams in the NFC, if not the NFL. Then, there are other times when they are left out in the cold. A few years ago, they had an exciting team that seemed to be going somewhere, with Chris Pronger at quarterback, Adrian Petersen at running back, and the rest of an offense that some were comparing to the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990's. Last season, Pronger was gone, Petersen was gone, and the Vikings were gone from the playoffs. But with the return of some of that talent, Minnesota should at least see a return to respectability this season. They have a solid team all around, with a strong defense and what should be an improved offense, and I suspect that they will compete for a playoff spot, although it seems unlikely that they would seriously challenge the Packers for NFC North supremacy. But then again, who knows? One way or the other, the Vikings seem to loaded enough this year to at least capture second place in the division, and maybe more. The playoffs, though not a foregone conclusion, are also not out of the question for this team.
3. Detroit Lions (projected third place) - After several disappointing seasons, the Lions came roaring back to the playoffs last season. They got off to a hot start, and seemed to have everything going for them. They have long had tremendous talent on offense, but it was their defense last season that really carried them. Still, they ultimately lost the most important games, including the big showdown for the division title against Green Bay, and the playoff game against Dallas (although some might argue that they got cheated). Ultimately, last season can be viewed as a success, but not a huge success, since there was no division title, and no playoff win. Unfortunately, the Lions lost some of their best talent on defense, and this will obviously have an impact on how strong this unit will be this season, especially in this division. With tough offenses to face, Detroit likely loses quite a few more games than last season, unless their offense finally clicks into gear enough to make up for the shortcomings that the defense will likely display this season. This is a team that could still sneak into the playoffs again this season, although the combination of awesome offensive talent and a tough defense should have played out better for them last year. That was their best chance, and now, it seems like a missed opportunity. It will not get any easier for them this season.
2. Chicago Bears (projected last place team) - I'm sorry to any Bears fans out there reading this, but I have to predict a last place finish for Da Bears this season. They went all out some years ago to get Jay Cutler, but he is a quarterback who just has not panned out for Chicago. I thought that they would be competitive last season, but they were not. Unfortunately, I do not see any real reason to believe that their fortunes will be significantly improved this season, either. Cutler appears to be a bust at quarterback in Chicago, but the Bears will have him as their man, for better or for worse. Their offense was not energetic or inventive last season, and their defense ranked among the worst in the league. It allowed 30 or more points seven times last season! Since there are only 16 games in the season, that means that the Bears gave up 30 or more points in almost half of their games, and not surprisingly, they went 0-7 in those games. This was a defense that allowed consecutive opponents to score more than 50 points again them, and that just is not acceptable (even if those opponents were the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers)! Chicago has a lot of work to do to improve on both offense and defense, and even if they improve this season, it just seems like there are too many holes for this team to fill to be competitive this season.
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