Since the divisional shift in 2002 that named the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers the NFC North, each of the teams have seen their ups and downs (well, the Lions mostly downs). But 2008 has the potential to see something quite unusual: a division where the champion will emerge with a record no higher than .500. Each team has the possibility of winning the division and going 10-6 or even 11-5, but the number of question marks, or the size of one question mark makes the 2008 season potentially a season worth forgetting for all members of the NFC North. Let's start with the obvious.
Green Bay Packers
The Pack has been led by Brett Favre for 16 years. While Aaron Rodgers shows a bit of promise, anybody thrown into the starting role with zero career starts can hardly be expected to win a division title. While it may happen since Green Bay is so strong in so many other areas, I find it hard to believe anything above 8-8 is in store for the Packers unless Favre recants and comes back for another year. Another problem is running back Ryan Grant, who is still in a contract dispute. If he is unable to be signed, forget 8-8 and pray for 6-10.
Prediction — 8-8, win in tie-breaker
Minnesota Vikings
It looks as though the Vikings have many key elements in place, much like the Packers. With the acquisition of Jared Allen on the defensive front, a new generation of Purple People Eaters seems to be emerging. Fully expect Allen to have a record-breaking year is sacks. With the Kevin and Pat Williams hogging up all of the space, Allen will have an even easier time knocking down quarterbacks than he did in Kansas City. Adrian Peterson is amazing, but unless Tavaris Jackson can step up his game, teams will continue to throw eight or nine guys in the box all game long. If Jackson doesn't perform, Peterson can't perform and if Peterson can't perform, the Vikings will end up losing a lot of games 10-7 or 14-10.
Prediction — 8-8, lose in tie-breaker
Detroit Lions
The Lions had a great start last season. A first half of 6-2 had them set for the playoffs for the first time since the days of Barry Sanders and possibly even a division championship, which they'd been without for 14 years. But poor execution and tough opponents sent the Lions into a tailspin in the second half. The Lions have difficulties here and mediocrity there with very few spots of awesome play. For the Lions, it seems to be a matter of team play, getting on the same page, and executing together. No one stud is going to pull them out of their decade-long playoff drought.
Prediction — 5-11
Chicago Bears
Two seasons ago, the Bears were atop the NFC, losing to the Colts in the Super Bowl. Their defense was the best in the league and their running game made up for the defects of Rex Grossman. Trading Thomas Jones proved to be a very bad move. The defense suffered injuries and seemed to slow down and age in the offseason. And somehow, Grossman got worse. Take all of that and add off-the-field problems and the Bears look like they're in for another mediocre season. Unless Grossman finds a way to play as he did in the first half of 2006, the Bears are going nowhere fast.
Prediction — 3-13
This seems to be one of the hardest divisions to peg a champion in. Due to previous success and steady growth, the Packers have the best chance to win the division. Don't expect Rodgers to ever be Brett Favre, but he seems to be more prepared for success than his neighbor to the west, Tavaris Jackson. The champion of the NFC North hinges upon the play of these two young arms.
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