Here is part three of eight NFL previews. This division is not as tough as the previous two, but it isn't easy. A lot rides on what happens with Brett Favre. Rumors suggest that he may land with Chicago or Minnesota. I am writing this article assuming Brett Favre stays retired and does not join any of these teams.
1. The Green Bay Packers. Last Season: 13-3. Off-season Grade: B+ Predicted Record: 13-3
The Packers most significant loss is Brett Favre. One of the top quarterback to ever lace them up is gone and the team still has a good chance to go deep into the playoffs. They also lost Bubba Franks, Koren Robinson, and Corey Williams. Franks isn't a big loss because he was second string behind Donald Lee. Robinson was released so that tells you how much the Packers really wanted him. Corey Williams is a significant loss, but is replaceable. The Packers drafted an average wide receiver in Jordy Nelson, a good quarterback in Brian Brohm, and a talented CB in Patrick Lee in this years draft. The team also picked up a good number of role players in free agency. They already had the stars, but now they have begun to build around them. Look for Green Bay come February, because they have a good chance of getting to the Super Bowl.
2. The Minnesota Vikings. Last Season: 8-8. Off-season Grade: A Predicted Record: 12-4
The Vikings had a great off-season. They got one of the best defensive ends in the NFL in Jared Allen and shored up their iffy secondary by picking Tyrell Johnson in the second round and acquiring safety Madieu Williams. They added depth at linebacker with the acquisition of Derrick Pope. The defense should be scary good in 2008. On offense they brought veteran quarterback Gus Frerotte in to help out Tarvaris Jackson and signed Bernard Berrian. Berrian is a very good fit for this offense and should put up excellent numbers this coming season. They picked up a good backup for Matt Birk by drafting John Sullivan in the sixth round. They are now deep at every position and should be very successful this season and have a shot in the playoffs.
3. The Chicago Bears. Last Season: 7-9. Off-season Grade: C+ Predicted Record: 6-10
I was happy to see that the Bears drafted a running back. Matt Forte is good enough to rush for four yards per carry and do a little of what Cedric Benson could not. It will open up the passing game and give Grossman a chance. I would have liked to see them go for a quarterback like David Carr or Byron Leftwitch, but I get a sense that they will draft a quarterback next season. The defense will be itself and the season basically rides on Forte. I like the possibilities if they can get a good quarterback in the draft or a quarterback that would be released by Green Bay, but I just don't see them returning to be that team that won the NFC a couple seasons ago. If they get that quarterback they could be a 9-7 or 10-6 team, but right now the schedule is too difficult for them to compete.
4. The Detroit Lions. Last Season 7-9. Off-season Grade: B+ Predicted Record: 4-12
The Lions did lot of good things this off-season, but with their youth, they aren't ready to make a serious run at the playoffs yet. I like the pickups of offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, running back Kevin Smith, and defensive back Leigh Bodden. They got a lot better even with the losses of Shaun Rodgers and Fernando Bryant. If they avoid injuries and another major slump they could be a decent team. The rest of this division is too tough for them to fly up and catch us all by surprise with a division crown, but the Lions could be very good in a year or two. The team's schedule is way to stacked. All but two or three of their games are against playoff caliber teams. The end of the season is going to be awful when they go against Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Minnesota, Indianapolis, New Orleans, and Green Bay.
The NFC North could be competitive with the East as the best division in the NFL this season. The season of the Bears rides on the production of Matt Forte and if hes not good, the team may not be good. Watch for this division to be very tough in 2008.
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3 months ago
Nice preview Hudson. As a Bears fan, an 8-8 record would be right where I believe they are capable of playing. I am happy they didn't sign Carr or Leftwich, considering Grossman and Orton are just as miserable...I agree as well about the competition this division will have due to the fact all the teams are pretty much even and have always played close games.
3 months ago
There is no way the Packers will/would trade Brett Favre to either the Vikings, or the Bears.
from 3 months ago
If Brett Favre contacts the team about returning, the team is forced to do one of two things. Invite him back or release him. The team cannot afford his salary and may very well release Favre.
3 months ago
As a Bears fan, I would love 8-8 and that would really make me insanely happy. However, I don't see how you have every team in the NFC North at a .500 record or better. I can't say I have read the other previews yet, that will be coming within a few moments of ending this comment, but I hope you have a few bad teams pegged correctly. If Grossman/Orton does good, then the season will be terrific, probably 10-6, if he does bad, something more like 4-12 is in the cards because we can't score with an unproven back as our only offensive weapon. I don't see how 8-8 is happening, but it's your prediction and opinions go to the person writing. Also, I can't see 9-7 for the Lions, they aren't going to be good.
2 months ago
As a Vikings fan I know this team will go as far as Tavaris Jackson's progress.
If we only had a good QB, the Super Bowl would be within reality.
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