Next I will Preview the NFC North division. A division that is competitive but has been
dominated by the Green Bay Packers. But
games have been very exciting, the Detroit Lions are surging back with a promising
future, the Bears are always tough defensively, and the Vikings are trying to
find their way period.
Green Bay Packers: The
Packers in 2011 look at times unstoppable, but also at times they also couldn’t
stop anybody. The defense gave up just
about as many points as the offense put up.
But when you have Aaron Rogers arguably the best QB in the game right
now, your chances are always good so they can get another super bowl, but only
if they fix a defense that finished last in total defense a season ago. The
season before that the Packers defense finished 5th in total
defense, and won the Super Bowl. SO that just proves true that defense wins
championships.
Prediction: The Packers
will once again win their division with ease.
But will not win 15 games do to their defense. The defense will improve but will have to out
score just about every opponent like the season before, that will only take
them so far especially against teams that have great defenses.
Result: 12-4 with first week bye in playoffs
Detroit Lions: What can I
say about this team; they have had a big turnaround these last few seasons.
Going from not winning a game at all (first time in history), to making the
playoffs. This only means one thing the Lions are poised to really cause some
problems in their own division let alone the whole league. This team has become a very good all around
team, with a few key pieces missing. The
defense went from being at the bottom of the league (08-09 32nd) to
making good progress to getting that great defense (2010 21st 2011
23rd). The offense under
Stafford has made great leaps and bounds to really become a force in the
NFC. In 08 they were 30th, 09
26th, 10 17th, and 11 5th. Only behind New Orleans, New England, Philly,
and Green Bay. They will be a force
period. They just have to get over the hump of Green Bay and keep getting
better on defense.
Prediction: The Lions
will be a force as I stated above, but they still have a few things, a few
kinks, to work out that can benefit them.
One they need to lose the bad boy attitude that gives them the wrong
image. But they will go far in the playoffs how far only time will tell.
Result: 10-6 wild card
berth.
Chicago Bears: The Bears
will always be a tough team defensively, but offensively they are very
inconsistent. They have some good not
great people in certain places. But if
the offense can’t keep the defense fresh and off the field your great defense
becomes a good defense, a good defense becomes a poor defense. So their flaw is the offense. If this team can’t turn the offense around
and make plays, then defense will become a non-factor always on the field.
Prediction: The bears
will finish third in their division again, maybe winning nine games this
season, but I don’t expect really anymore than that this season. They will miss
the playoffs again. Fix the offense, and it will be and get better.
Result: 9-7, and in the
mix of the last wild card playoff spot
Minnesota Vikings: The
Vikings, what can we say? They are in
limbo, a few years ago they were riding high but not are rushing to get their
identity back. So running they will do. But the Vikings may need to find a
better plan. Vikings went from being on
top of the division in 2008 & 2009, to taking a very slow decent into the
basement of the division. A rookie QB a
season ago in Ponder, he did ok. But ok
will not be enough, the passing game will have to come alive in order to get
the offense and running game back on track.
For the last four seasons the Vikings have stayed steady in total offense,
but they will have to improve a little more. The defense, which has been the
lifeblood of this team, had its worst season in four seasons in 2011 finishing
around 21st. after finishing in the top ten from 2008-2010. So this
team needs to find a way out of limbo. They have nice long way to go.
Prediction: I would say
the Vikings will finish last but will post at least 2-3 more wins from the
season before, which they will make progress and hopefully they can stay on
that path.
Result: 6-10 missing the
playoff.
