The NFL Playoff Picture as I See It! Part One: The NFC North

Andrew Elterman by Correspondent Written on May 11, 2009
CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: Members of the Chicago Bear defense including Nick Osborn #79, Dan Bazuin #73 and Matt Toeaina #75 prepare to play against the San Francisco 49ers on August 21, 2008 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.The 49ers defeated the Bears 37-30.  (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Season hasn't even started yet but I'm going to make my predictions now. Starting with the NFC North, I'll give the other winners of the Divisions but the explanations week by week.

NFC North: Chicago Bears(If Vikings don't get Favre) (Bears as Wild Card if Favre goes to Vikings)

The Chicago Bears have improved their offensive line with future Hall of Famer Orlando Pace and made their defense with the addition of Rod Maranali. The Bears defense could not get at their opponents' quarterbacks last season and that led to big gains through the air late in the game as their Linebackers and Corners got tired.

Jay Cutler should also open up the Bears passing game and give them the upper hand in the NFC North. The Bears where for the most part one dimensional as a run strong team as Lovie Smith almost ran Forte to death last season, but the passing game did have its moments like in Atlanta. 12-4!

The Vikings will win the division only if Brett Favre joins their team. The Vikings have an amazing run-stop defense but are missing a quarterback to run their high speed offense.

Adrian Peterson a two-time Pro-Bowl selection gives them an upper hand against most teams but as history has shown, like the Indianapolis Colts, becoming to one dimensional will lead you no where. Brett Favre would h 9-7(w/o Favre) 13-3(With Favre)

The Green Bay Packers are a good team with Aaron Rodgers under center, and will be able to lead their high flying offense but will struggle early this year because of them switching up their defensive scheme and I believe won't be able to get back up after falling near the bottom of the division. 8-8

The Detroit Lions after a 0-16 season will struggle this year and probably next year as they go through a re-building stage. They will make one huge mistake this year and start Matthew Stafford. They will be destroyed by their past mistakes, like Andre Ware and Joey Harrington.

He will struggle at the beginning of the year facing the Saints first, who had the No. 1 offense last year. Then off to Minnesota where he will be crushed by their defense.

Off to Washington where with his broken moral he'll have a decent game only to be brought back down by the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, then a trip to the not-so-friendly confines of Lambue. 2-14

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles. (New York Giants are the Wild Card)

NFC West: San Fransisco (Cardinals as the Wild Card if Favre isn't in Minnesota)

NFC South: New Orleans

AFC North: Cincinnati (Baltimore as the Wild Card)

AFC East: New England

AFC West: San Diego

AFC South: Tennessee (Houston as the Wild Card)

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written on May 11, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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