NFC North Predictions: Vikings Lead with Defense

Most Significant Newcomer: Matt Forte, RB - Forte should step right in and throw for over 3,000 yards and 25 touch... No wait, the Bears are sticking with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton at quarterback. Forte will catch 70 passes as the team's deep thre... Wait, the Bears apparently do not need to replace Bernard Berrian either. Oh yeah, Forte is going to be thrown to the wolves as the Bears' Week 1 starting running back. Obviously, especially with Cedric Benson's on and off the field issues, each of these positions needed upgrades. The 2,000 yard rusher out of Tulane will definitely get touches in 2008. Unfortunately, Cedric Benson missed the memo about starting players not breaking the law and getting cut in between the simulation run and the preview post date. So, Forte's numbers were originally 873 total yards and six touchdowns. Adding all of Benson's numbers from the simulation would give him 1,658 total yards and 11 touchdowns.

Biggest Strength: Special Teams - Robbie Gould and Devin Hester help to form the most dynamic special teams in the league. The linebacking corps is also strong on the field; but its public contract disputes and increasing cap numbers are just as much a part of the problem with this team.

Most Exploitable Weakness: Offense - A schedule that features teams like the Rams, Falcons and Lions (twice) is the only reason why the Bears' offense does not come in last in the league. The Titans' or Dolphins' receivers may actually be more intimidating than Marty Booker, Mark Bradley, Brandon Lloyd, Earl Bennett and Marcus Monk. Why does this team keep stockpiling tight ends?

Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Earl Bennett, WR - He is the prototypical possession receiver on a team full of possession receivers (is Greg Olsen the biggest deep threat on this team?), but his hands may be the best of the group, and the team needs young players it can sell to the fans. The projections give him 29 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns, yet it could easily be more than that if the Bears abandon the Marty Booker bandwagon in favor of the kids.

Closest Game: Detroit (Week 9) - Splitting with Detroit may not be considered a great feat, but the Bears need this win if they want to prove they are not one of the worst teams in football - and getting worse.

Fantasy Notables: Rex Grossman (32) 1,520 yards, 9 TDs, 8 INTs; Kyle Orton (33) 1,455 yards, 10 TDs, 7 INTs; Matt Forte (40) 873 total yards, 6 TDs (*before Benson's release); Marty Booker (56) 55 receptions, 622 yards, 4 TDs; Desmond Clark (12) 40 receptions, 554 yards, 3 TDs; Greg Olsen (23) 31 receptions, 363 yards, 2 TDs; Robbie Gould (5) 29/29 XPs, 33/43 FGs

Projected 2008 Results:

Click here to view a schedule of 2008 NFL previews, and to see others that have been posted. The other previews on BleacherReport can be found below:  

AFC East

Browns-vs-Steelers-110608" target="_blank" title="AFC North">AFC North

Chargers-Lead-the-Pack-130608" target="_blank" title="AFC West">AFC West

AFC South

NFC East

NFC West

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