The NFC North picture was blown up last week when Brett Favre announced his return to the Vikings. With Favre back in the picture it makes the NFC North a lot more intresting. Along with the Vikings you have the Green Bay Packers who are hot off a playoff apperance last year. My beloved Chicago Bears who finished last season strong. Last but not least there is the Detroit Lions who made some offseason moves that could potentially get them out of bottom feeder status. Any way you look at it the NFC North is going to be very,very intresting this year.
Chicago Bears-My favorite team in the NFL made some great offseason moves. They brought in Julius Peppers who is a spectacular defensive end who will contribute right away and running back Chester Taylor who gives the Bears a great 2nd running option. I see Taylor and Matt Forte becoming a pretty dangerous 1-2 punch and I feel like that is an valuable asset for the team. With that newly acquired running talent that could take some of the pressure off of Jay Cutler, who is in make it or break it season. Cutler needs to find his groove this year and I think if he plays well the Bears could do pretty well. The Bears do have some big question marks though most notably how will Brian Urlacher come back from injury. Urlacher is a vital part of the Bears defense and his performance is a big key to success. The Bears biggest weakness by far is offensive line. They did not address in that offseason and Cutler could again be facing a ton of pressure which could seriously effect the team. The Bears are probably the biggest question mark in all of the NFL. This season could go pretty well or could end up being a travesty.
Detroit Lions-The Lions have been the laughing stock of the league for quite some time. They did make some pretty big moves this offseason that will help them out for sure. First in free agency they signed wide reciever Nate Burelson and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. Burelson gives the Lions a legitimate 2nd option at wideout and takes some of the pressure of Calvin Johnson. Vanden Bosch gives the Lions a solid pass rusher as well something they have not had in a long time. Their best offseason move was in the draft when they selected defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh who I think will be an elite player. Matthew Stafford is the player to watch on offense. His play is going to effect what happens for the Lions this year tremendously. Sure Detroit still has it fair share of weaknesses but the future looks bright for Detroit.
Green Bay Packers-The Packers are coming off a great year that ended in heartbreak with their overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs. The Packers are pretty much the same team as last year. The one key loss they did have was defensive end/linebacker Aaron Kampman. Though Kampman made an impact the Packers still have plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball including standouts A.J Hawk and Nick Barnett. Aaron Rodgers should have another good year this year and other key offensive players Ryan Grant,Greg Jennings and Donald Driver should contribute. The Packers are most likely going to be playoff bound this season.
Minnesota Vikings-As everyone on the earth know Brett Favre is back in Minnesota. Favre's presence makes the Vikings a ton better right off the bat. Sure they have talent all over the field but without Favre they probably a 8 win team. That being said who knows how Favre will hold up this year with his bum ankle. In addition to Favre's nagging injury the Vikings have already lost Sidney Rice for the first 6-8 weeks of the year so that takes away Favre's favorite target in the passing games. Percy Harvin is also shaken up currently. The Vikings still have an insanely talented defense that is among the league's elite and that should carry them through their offensive uncertainties.
Predictions for the NFC North:
1.Green Bay Packers(11-5)
2.Minnesota Vikings(10-6)
3.Chicago Bears(8-8)
4.Detroit Lions(6-10)
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