Bleacher Report: Philadelphia Edition

powered by Bleacher Report

NFC North Predictions for 2009

By (Correspondent) on July 2, 2009

203 reads

0

Previous
1 of 6
Next
CHICAGO - DECEMBER 22:  Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears, the only Bear player elected to the Pro Bowl, waits for the start of a play by the Green Bay Packers on December 22, 2008 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Packers

The NFC North has been the source of much discussion this offseason when it comes to QB's, from Jay Cutler being traded to the Bears after he pouted his way out of Denver, to Brett "I might play" Favre maybe going to the Vikings.

But enough of the QB drama, let's get down to the meat of the matters.

4. Lions: Good news, you can't do worse then 0-16

NEW YORK - APRIL 25:  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands with Detroit Lions #1 draft pick Matthew Stafford at  Radio City Music Hall for the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25, 2009 in New York City  (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Let's be real here, the Lions are going to suck again this year. Even the most die-hard Lions fan knows this.

Jim Schwartz has his work cut out for him, but the good news is they are getting good, young talent at some positions, with Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson, and if Stafford works out, they could start to work on the O-line and potentially have a pretty decent offense in the next few years.

But not this year.

Final Prediction 2-14

Hey, 2 wins is a good thing after going 0-16.

3. Bears: You have a RB, and now a QB

LAKE FOREST, IL - MAY 20: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears participates during an organized team activity (OTA) practice on May 20, 2009 at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Just too bad your defense isn't elite anymore.

Now, don't get me wrong, the Bears' defense is still pretty good talent-wise, but Urlacher, and the rest of the defense for that matter, isn't getting any younger.

The Chicago Bears once-vaunted defense finished in the bottom 3rd of the NFL last year, being ranked only 22nd in overall defense. One of the reasons was due to the offense which has, for lack of a better word, sucked for a long time, leaving the defense out there constantly getting little to no rest in between series.

But the Bears and their fans hope for that to change this season with the addition of Jay Cutler, giving the Bears their first legit QB since Jim McMahon.

The Bears, though, lack something that is almost equally important: a legit WR. Devin Hester is a great talent, but he's just not a WR. I saw the him play this past season when the Bears visited my local team, the Panthers, and I wasn't impressed. Most offensive plays had him basically running deep every play, no route running, just going deep and praying he'll get open.

Final Prediction 7-9

Questions about the rest of the offense outside of Cutler and the aging defense keep me from putting them higher.

2. Vikings: Favre? Really?

MINNEAPOLIS - DECEMBER 28:  Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball in for a touchdown as James Butler #37 of the New York Giants defends on December 28, 2008 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by E

The Vikings look like they have it all for the most part; a rock solid O-line, a super-star RB and great defense. But they lack a QB.

I am a strong believer in never going for the quick fix, especially after experiencing the so-called quick (Keyshawn Johnson) fix that was going to make my team become Super Bowl Champs blow up in my face.

So, Vikings fans, just say no to Favre.

Give your other QB's a chance and if you want to upgrade, wait and do it in next year's draft, which will be loaded with QB's.

Final prediction 9-7

Just say no to Favre.

1. Packers: in the Playoffs without Favre

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 28: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks for a receiver against the Detroit Lions on December 28, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 31-21. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

The Packers were decimated by injuries all over the place last season, but that won't be the cast for the start of this season at least.

If Grant returns to 2007 form, he should propel the Packers over the edge making their offense truly potent.

The defense though is a big question. Dom Capers hasn't been a DC since 1994 when he was one for the Steelers, and I'm not entirely sure how the Packers players will fit in a 3-4 system. But there is talent there, so I like their chances.

Final Prediction 12-4 NFC North Champs

Their offense could be very good this season.

Begin Slideshow
Keep Reading
Flag
Props (0)
This article is

What is the duplicate article?

Why is this article offensive?

Where is this article plagiarized from?

Why is this article poorly edited?

Flag This Article
Crop_45x45
or to post a comment

0 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading comments...
just now posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

NFL

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address

Thanks for signing up.

15 Free Agents Who Killed Their Stock in 2011 Hint: you can use arrow keys to navigate through this channel.