NFC North Preseason Predictions

All week we’ve been presenting our preseason predictions, and this beautiful, albeit extremely early, Friday morning, we have, for you, the NFC North:

Chicago Bears

Tim: 7-9 (3^rd NFCN)

Luckily for QB Jay Cutler, there’s very little chance that he can have more interceptions from last year. With Mike Martz taking over the offense in 2010, there will be less miscues, and hopefully more production. I also like the addition of former Viking third-down specialist Chester Taylor to backup Matt Forte. I like the Bears this year, but I think the defense still has holes that should prove costly in what will be a competitive division race this season. At best, I see Chicago at 9-7, definitely not play-off bound this year.

Dan: 7-9 (3^rd NFCN)

Operation Jay Cutler enters its second year as the Bears look to stay competitive in a tough NFC North. I admit, I was a big fan of Cutler last year and I still am going into this season. Cutler's numbers weren't exactly bad last year either: 3,666 yards (sign of the Devil?) and 27 TDs (8th in the league). The only real problem was that he also threw 26 INTs. We know that Cutler will throw the ball a lot and we know that it will not always find the hands of his teammates. Nobody doubts his physical gifts but he will need to make smarter passes if they want to contend in the division. Adding Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor makes this team better and look for Matt Forte to try to revert back to his rookie year form. I like the Bears this year but don't think they're good enough to compete with the likes of the Packers or Vikings.

Detroit Lions

Tim: 5-11 (4^th NFCN)

There’s something about liking bad teams, which I attribute to being a Baltimore native and being an Orioles fan for so long. You just want to root for them. Anyhow, I have an immense amount of faith in the Lions’ front seven this season. They looked excellent in the preseason, and I expect that they’ll be turning some heads. There isn’t enough depth on the better part of the team for playoff hopes just yet, but the Lions of the 1950s will have their triumphant return soon, guided by the arm of second-year QB Matthew Stafford.

Dan: 4-12 (4^th NFCN)

Detroit has been stocking up on high 1st round picks for years. Is this the year they put it all together? In short, no. In long, noooooooooooooooooooooo. But this will be an improved team from last year's 2-14 club. I was not a fan of Matthew Stafford when he was at Georgia and didn't think he should be a #1 overall pick. However, I think his skillset is right for this team. He's got a huge arm and is a tough SOB. He has returning targets Calvin Johnson (who has the potential to be the best WR in the league) and Brandon Pettigrew along with new guys Nate Burleson and Tony Scheffler. The team also drafted Jahvid Best who looks to start the season as the top running back and, once Kevin Smith returns from his ACL injury, Detroit will have a nice running back duo. This looks to be the best offense Detroit has had in recent memory. The problems lie with the defense. #2 overall pick Ndamukong Suh will make them better but there are too many holes, a fact that good quarterbacks (Rodgers, Favre, Cutler) will be able to exploit. Give it another year or two and I think Detroit breaks out of the cellar. Until then, expect flashes of greatness but nothing too consistent.

Green Bay Packers

Tim: 11-5 (1^st NFCN)

The only worry I have on this team is the ability of the offensive line to keep star QB Aaron Rodgers upright for most of the season. Also, cornerback depth is an issue with Al Harris out for at least six weeks. Back to the OL, though, if they do keep Rodgers on his feet, he’s going to do some great things. Remember that slaughtering of the Colts a couple weeks ago? Yeah… that wasn’t even all starters. Also, for Dan’s sake I will mention that TE JerMichael Finley is poised to have a real breakout year. Another 4,000+ yard season should be easy enough for Rodgers with the same offensive players coming back. You know what? I will go so far as to say the Packers are my NFC pick to play in the Super Bowl this season.

Dan: 14-2 (1^st NFCN)

It's tough to find a flaw in Aaron Rodgers' quarterback play. In two years as a starter, all he has done is throw for over 4,000 yards consecutively (the first quarterback in history to open a career by doing so). In fact, his stats over the past two years are jaw dropping. 8,472 yards, 58 TDs, 20 INTs. For comparison, here's Peyton Manning's first two years as a starter: 7,874 yards, 52 TDs, 43 INTs. Long story short, Rodgers is damned good. What remains to be seen is how the rest of the team steps up this year, particularly the pass defense. CB Al Harris is on the PUP list and DT Johnny Jolly is suspended for at least the season. If the Packers' defense can frustrate the quarterback, then this team will be fine. The Packers look primed to make a deep playoff run this year.

Minnesota Vikings

Tim: 11-5 (2^nd NFCN)

Brett Favre, the old Silver Fox himself, just completed the 285^th start of his NFL career. Consecutive start, that is. At forty years old, Favre didn’t look sharp in his first full game since losing the NFC Championship back in January. He is the key to success in Minnesota, but without WR Sidney Rice, things don’t seem like they’re clicking yet. However, the defense and the monster RB Adrian Peterson can carry enough games together to maintain the Vikings’ winning days. If it doesn’t happen in 2010, I can’t see the Vikings having a chance like this again. Next season, the murmurings of McNabb’s availability this spring should be abound in Vikings territory.

Dan: 11-5 (2^nd NFCN)

Stop me if you've heard this before. Brett Favre has a great season and announces his retirement afterwards. The legend of the Favre is well known and he is a definite Hall of Famer. But can Favre lead the team to the Superbowl? I say... ehhh. This team definitely has all the weapons (returning 21 starters from last year) but there are simply too many question marks. Favorite target Sidney Rice is on the PUP list and it remains to be seen if he will even play this year and second favorite target Percy Harvin is always a question mark with his migrane problems. The secondary is in disarray and the starting cornerbacks look to be constantly changing. Basically, there are too many questions here for the Vikings to win the championship. Expect a good year, but not a repeat of last year.