Week One NFC North Power Rankings

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The NFL season is finally upon us, and while many of you may have thought you got rid of me, I am making my triumphant return. Making the return with me is my NFC North Power Rankings, and with all the media jumping on the NFC North's bandwagon early in this 2009 NFL season, it should be an entertaining 17 weeks.

Let the madness begin.

1. Minnesota Vikings (0-0)

Lets be honest folks; the North champions from last season did nothing to hurt themselves this offseason. They brought in a Hall of Fame quarterback (he will not be named throughout the article, trust me), and the draft's most dynamic athlete to top off an already talented squad with a top-five defense and the league's best running back in Adrian Peterson.

To pick against them in this division would seem almost laughable—this coming from a Packers' fan.  

Sure, head coach Brad Childress is about as imaginative in his play calling as an infant with a headset, but he doesn't really need to be. Handing off to No. 28 doesn't take imagination—just give it to him and watch him go. Childress' main worry should be how to get rookie Percy Harvin involved, however, because his speed and playmaking ability could become special if given the chance.

And while the Vikings do lack a true number one receiver, this roster is talented enough top to bottom to cover for that. Chalk up 11 wins for the Vikings, but let me make this disclaimer: Minnesota would win 11 games with Tavaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, or the Unnamable at the helm. This pick isn't about the quarterback. An easy schedule, a scary defense, and Peterson's legs get them there.

2. Green Bay Packers (0-0)

I went back and forth on this several times. We all know how great the Packers played this preseason. In the first three games, the Packers' number ones made their oppositions'. Green Bay looked like it was playing at a different speed then everyone else, and Aaron Rodgers looked like he might be worthy of MVP consideration this season. 

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. It still was the preseason—and now it's over. Everyone is back to 0-0, and Green Bay still has a lot to prove coming off their 6-10 disaster last season. 

I like what the defense has shown so far. The attacking style of defense is something Packers fans aren't used to, and that's a good thing. The days of Bob Sanders and his back on your heels style defense are long gone. I'd expect the Packers defense to be better, but don't expect the Pittsburgh Steelers quite yet. It's going to take some time. 

Rodgers is the real deal though. What kind of stat line is out of the question for him? 4000 plus yards and 35 passing touchdowns really don't seem like much of stretch this season. Put down 10 wins for the Packers and a wild card berth.

3. Chicago Bears (0-0)

I struggled with the Bears too. Everyone is raving about the arrival of Jay Cutler and Orlando Pace, but I'm still not sold on Chicago. I think that defense could struggle this season, and Brian Urlacher definitely isn't getting any younger. At this point in his career, I'd confidently give him the label of overrated. 

Cutler scares me too. He has almost nothing to work with in terms of receivers save tight end Greg Olson, and the attitude problems that Cutler has previously shown could resume in the Windy City. 

However, Cutler and running back Matt Forte make a formidable duo. Forte had a monster 2008, but time will tell how the arrival Cutler will affect the productivity of Forte. Pace should solidify Cutler's blindside too, but truth be told Pace has been injury prone late in his career.

In the end, there was just too many question marks in Chicago for me to have them over the Packers. I still think Chicago will be an eight or nine win team, but they will be on the outside looking in come playoff time. 

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