Can the Green Bay Packers Emerge As a Playoff Team in the Mediocre NFC North?

After overachieving and nearly reaching the Super Bowl in 2007, the Green Bay Packers took a step back and limped to a disappointing 6-10 record last year. What will 2009 bring? A return to postseason glory or another dismal campaign?

Of course, the Packers chances of reaching the playoffs weigh heavily on the strength of their NFC North counterparts.

Parity will once again rule the NFC North, with at least three of the four teams having a legitimate chance of reaching the postseason (sorry Lions fans). The Packers, Bears, and Vikings will all battle for the divisional crown, but it looks like Chicago will be the team left standing.

Here's a breakdown of how each team will fare this season:

Chicago Bears (10-6)

Strengths: The Bears will possess an offense filled with youthful exuberance. While the Packers decided to make a statement through the draft, the Bears did it through the free-agent market.

Chicago pulled off a blockbuster deal in landing Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler in a trade with Denver. Then the Bears added protection for their young gunslinger by signing veteran tackle Orlando Pace.

Running back Matt Forte was a pleasant surprise last season and should improve this year. Cutler will have a steady target to throw to in tight end Greg Olsen. And how dangerous will the speedy Devin Hester be with the rifle-armed Cutler gunning passes to him down field? On special teams, kicker Robbie Gould's leg is reliable.

Weaknesses: The Bears' defense is aging, but they should be stable enough to hold opponents in check. Besides, the offense should put up enough points for them to win. Chicago still lacks a consistent threat at wide receiver.

The Bears will make the playoffs if... they can put up big numbers offensively and their defense doesn't crack too often.

The Bears will miss the playoffs if... Cutler, frustrated by not having a decent wideout to throw to, starts flinging passes into double coverage just to make something happen. Also, the pressure on him to succeed in a bigger market that is starving for a saviour at quarterback could be too overwhelming.

Minnesota Vikings (9-7)

Strengths: The Vikings possess two clear strengths: their defense and their running game.

Last season, Minnesota's D ranked first in stopping the run (76.9 yards per game) and sixth in total yards (292.4 ypg). The Vikings' dominant defensive line racked up 45 sacks, including 14 by defensive end Jared Allen.

Allen got off to a slow start last season, but finished strong. Pat and Kevin Williams anchored the interior line and should be feared this season. Middle linebacker Chad Greenway collected 115 tackles.

Offensively, there's no question who the Vikings are going to feed the ball to, third-year running back Adrian Peterson. Last season, the dynamic rusher out of Oklahoma accumulated 1,760 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a team, the Vikings finished fifth in rushing (146.1 ypg).

Weaknesses:

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