Lions Packers and Bears Oh My

The NFC North is one of the easier divisions to figure out on paper. The Bears are clearly one of the most talented teams in the conference and are poised to make another run at the title. Barring a rash of injuries or a complete implosion by Rex Grossman the Bears will be in the playoffs, the real competition in the NFC is for the wild cards and this division has some competitors.

Minnesota Vikings
2006 Finish 6-10
2007 Schedule Strength 18th
Games against playoff teams 7
Key Addition: Adrian Peterson
Biggest Question: Tavaris Jackson
The NFL's #1 rush defense returns stout DT Pat Williams and a tandem of strong corners in Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin who allow for a larger committment to the run by Safety Darren Sharper. Defense will not be the issue for th Vikes as long as they keep their front 4 healthy and can generate a pash rush. The questions lie on the other side of the ball. Last year was a transition year in more ways than one. Minnesota attempted to integrate a new coach and quarterback and begin to rebuilding that started with the exodus of Randy Moss and ended with the departure of Culpepper which was calculated to eradicate the bad taste left by the love boat incident. I have no idea whether Tavaris Jackson can or will succeed, don't be distracted by that point, it is not what the season is based on. As any good coach will tell you, a successful team, whether playing in a dome or in the weather, must be able to run and stop the run. The Purple People can clearly stop the run and the season will turn on whether they can run. Boasting a potentially devastating left side of the line with Steve Hutchinson flanked by Bryant Mckinnie and anchored by Matt Birk at Center. With that line and FB Tony Richardson leading the way, Adrian Peterson should be able to make his mark in his rookie year. If Peterson can gain 1000 yards and the Jackson can manage the games who is to say they can't improve 2-3 games which would put them right in the thick of the wild card picture.

The Lions
2006 Finish3-13
2007 Schedule Strength 14thGames against playoff teams 7Key Addition: Tatum BellBiggest Question: Shaun Rogers
The Lions have become one of the sexy pics of the year. Everyone will go on and on and on about the successes of Mike Martz' offenses and the weapons this offense possesses after what seems like a decade of first round picks spent on wide receivers. With the likes of Kevin Jones, Tatum Bell, Roy Williams, Mike Furrey and Calvin Johnson, John Kitna has a plethora of weapons to choose from to help reach the 10 win benchmark he set during the preseason. The Lions will move the ball and score points, Tatum Bell will keep defenses honest and Martz will use a lot of the 3 wide receiver sets Az Hakim, Torry Holt and Ike Bruce made so famous in the Greatest Show on Turf days. Bell's quick cut and downfield training from Denver will make him a perfect fit in this offense. Kitna is capable but little else, he can manage the game and make the smart throws. If he can steward the offense into keeping turnovers down the Lions will have a chance at the wild card. The season will be determined on the back of Shaun Rogers and his ability to reach his potential in stuffing the run. Ernie Sims is a monster in waiting on the outside and will make an impact. Overall I don't think they can raise their win total by 7 like Kitna predicted but this is a team on the rise. They may just be one year away, and with a young team, if they can add a vet or two at the right postion maybe they are a contender in 08.

The Pack
2006 Finish 8-8
2007 Schedule Strength 23rdGames against playoff teams 7Key Addition: Brandon JacksonBiggest Question: Can they replace Ahman Green?
The Pack are back. The Pack remind me of the Bronco team that beat them to give Elway his championship. Farve, like Elway at that time, just isn't the same, but the team no longer revolves around him. This team is built on a strong defensive foundation. They are the best defense you can't name a player on. (other than maybe AJ Hawk) Lead by Aaron Kampman this is a fierce, improving defense that will help restore the black and blue image to this division. With a committed Charles Woodson and Al Harris manning the corners they can cover the likes of almost anyone. If they can get quality yards out of Jackson or Morency they will be dangerous. The only obstacle is their schedule. They play the up and down NFC East and the AFC West. The problem is, they have to go to Denver, KC, Dallas and St. Louis. If Farve catches some lightning in a bottle they can make noise. 9-7 may be enough to get in the playoffs and then anything can happen in a division without a dominant team.

Da Bears
2006 Finish 13-3
2007 Schedule Strength 31st
Games against playoff teams 7
Key Addition: Gregg Olsen, Adam Archuleta
Biggest Question: Rex Grossman; Cedric Benson

As long as Lance Briggs can start hiring a car service they should be ok on defense. This is as good a defensive team as there is in the NFL. They boast a tremendous array of talent from Briggs to Urlacher to the ever opportunistic Mike Brown to the underrated Charles Tillman. This team wreaks havoc on d and is choc full of playmakers. Offense is the dilemma. Can Rex improve to become a consistent quarterback, can Cedric Benson make a smooth transition to every down back and can they get enough production out of their receiving corps. Don't overlook the addition of Olsen who will provide Grossman with a nice comfortable safety valve in the middle of the field and should boost the qbs confidence. The Bears certainly have enough to represent the NFC in the big game, the big question is how much does Rex improve and can he do just enough not to screw up the team. Week 1 should be a good indicator as the Bears travel to San Diego. They have the benefit of a benevolent schedule maker with KC Dallas Denver and New Orleans at home.