Minnesota Vikings Look To Rule the North Once More

The NFC North has seen much change over the past two offseasons. Each team has a different starting quarterback than in 2007. Two teams have different head coaches, and the other two have gone through various coordinators.

The one thing that has remained the same is that the division winner has been the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers or the Minnesota Vikings. Sorry Lions fans, but nothing will change this year. And for my money, the Vikings have the best team on paper.

As we all know, championships are won on the field. So, Minnesota seems to be the best team, but an examination of each team's strengths and weaknesses will better determine how the North shall be won.

Fourth-Detroit Lions (3-13)

Strengths- Let's face it, any head coach would be better than a man who went 0-16. Enter Jim Schwartz. Schwartz has been the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, including last year where the Titans were the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

That pedigree will help. Also, Calvin Johnson is an emerging superstar. With more consistent quarterback play, Johnson should be a cinch for 1,500 receiving yards and 10 TD's.

Weaknesses- The Detroit Lions were No. 32 in a lot of categories, but their defense as a whole was the most abysmal part of this team. They were dead last in QB sacks, and they gave up an embarrassing 172.1 yards rushing per game.

Coach Schwartz does not have Albert Haynesworth or Keith Bulluck here to help either. This is a very young defense (with the exception of newly acquired tackle Grady Jackson), so Coach Schwartz will have his hands full.

Prognosis- The Detroit Lions are a long way from being .500, let alone a contender. I believe Jim Schwartz will be a good hire. I just don't believe this is a one year turnaround, as there are just so many pieces to fill.

Plus, nobody got significantly worse in the North, so they should dwell the cellar once more.

Third-Green Bay Packers (7-9)

Strengths- The Packers are slowly buidling a pretty solid defense. They already have had Al Harris and Charles Woodson playing solid at corner. Plus, Aaron Kampman is quickly becoming one of the NFL's best pass rushers.

And with the leadership of middle linebacker AJ Hawk and newly drafter tackle BJ Raji and linebacker Clay Matthews, the Packers could be a top 10 defense soon.

Weaknesses- Aaron Rodgers is not as bad as people believe. He will never be Brett Favre, but he did throw for 4,038 yards with 28 TD's. They also had two 1,000-yard receivers in Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.

That all seems like a strength. Well, the problem is the offense had no balance. Ryan Grant carried the ball for only 3.9 yards per carry, and the Packers often played from behind, helping Rodgers build up gaudier numbers.

Prognosis- The Packers continue to build the defense, but they did not address their two key issues: running back and offensive line. Because of this, Aaron Rodgers will continue to improve, but he will continue to be rushed, and his running game will continue to be obsolete.

Second-Chicago Bears (10-6)

Strengths- There are many. First, Rod Marinelli is no longer the head coach of the Lions. Why does this matter? Because he is back doing what he does best as the defensive line coach for the Bears.

Considering how far off the Bears fell in QB sacks from their linemen, Marinelli will definitely help. Also, Matt Forte had a strong rookie campaign, amassing over 1,700 yards from scrimmage last season.

Oh, and if I forgot to mention, Jay Cutler is the quarterback. Considering this position has not been filled with this caliber of player since Sid Luckman (well, maybe Erik Kramer in 1995, but that's it), the Bears' hopes are high he will make this offense electric quickly.

Weaknesses- Jay Cutler is a Pro Bowl quarterback. The issue is who he will throw to. The Bears are solid with Forte, and the tight end duo of Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen will give Cutler plenty of security blankets.

Devin Hester is not a wide receiver. It is beyond me still how you would take the NFL's best returner (on pace for all-time best) and wreck him by trying to force a receiver turn.

Well, the reason is that the Bears are razor thin at receiver. Rashied Davis, Earl Bennett and the rest of the crew do not exude much confidence from fans.

Prognosis- The Bears will be better with Jay Cutler down the road. However, with a limited number of receivers to throw to and a defense still short in the secondary, it's hard to think the Bears are anything better than a fringe playoff team.

First-Minnesota Vikings (11-5)

Strengths- The Vikings boast the NFL's best run defense, giving up only 76.9 yards per game. They also had 45 sacks as a defense, led by Jared Allen's 14.5 sacks.

Also, the Vikings boasted the league's leading rusher, Adrian Peterson, who went for 1,760 yards rushing last season. Ryan Longwell is a dependable kicker, and with Bernard Berrian to stretch the field, the Vikings have enough in the receiving game to compete now with anyone.

Weaknesses- It is the one thing that is keeping Minnesota from being a legit Super Bowl team: quarterback. At risk of being overly critical, Tavaris Jackson appears lost on the field.

Gus Frerotte was the QB for most of last season, but he finished 28th in passing among starters. They now have added Sage Rosenfels from the Texans to the mix, but he is best remembered for his key turnovers in the Texans' loss to the Colts last season.

Prognosis- The Vikings still have more talent than anyone in the division. If they ever solve their QB issues, the Vikings will be a NFC championship team. Without one, they'll have to settle for a NFC North title.