NFC North: Contenders and Pretenders

This year, the NFC North will be just as unpredictable as the NFC South and West, with the NFC East being the most dominate division in the NFL. I am going to give my predictions on the outcome for the teams in the NFC North: the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings - Pretender

Going into Week Three, the Vikings are tied with the Detroit Lions for the worst record in the division (0-2). The coaching staff has just made a change at QB, replacing Tarvaris Jackson with Gus Frerotte, but that should not change much. Frerotte, in his 15th NFL season, has not had substantial playing time since 2005 with the Miami Dolphins.

Minnesota is ranked 24th in points scored and passing yards. The only upside to this offense is, of course, Adrian Peterson, who leads the team to their fourth-ranked rushing offense in the NFL.

The biggest disappointment thus far would be the Vikings defense, who came into this season favored to be the best in the league. Despite the addition of DE Jared Allen, the defense has been lack-luster, recording only two sacks in as many games.

The defense is towards the bottom of the league in yards allowed and pass-yards allowed. As well with the offense, the defense is good at the run, only allowing 82 yards a game.

In the end, Peterson cannot run the team to a winning record and the Vikings will finish at 6-10.

Detroit Lions - Pretender

I think it goes without saying that Detroit is quickly heading downhill. They lost the first game of the season to the Atlanta Falcons, who were starting a rookie QB in Matt Ryan and a new RB in Michael Turner.

Don't let the numbers fool you. Detroit is ranked 14th in points scored and eighth in passing yards. Not bad, right? Wrong. The reason those numbers are good is because they spend the entire second half airing out the ball to make up an overwhelming deficit.

Detroit has the talent on their team, but they just have not been able to pull it together.

Their defense is last in the league in almost all categories, and this in part to the dismantling of the D in the offseason; losing Shaun Rogers to Cleveland and Boss Bailey to Denver, where he joined his brother Champ.

The only thing Detroit should look forward to is playing on Thanksgiving again, because that is the only prime-time game they have. On that day, they should be thankful John Kitna didn't guarantee the playoffs.

Detroit will finish the season tied for last place of the NFC North at 6-10 (I think Detroit and Minnesota will split their meetings).

Chicago Bears - Contender

Yes, I am a Bears fan, and no, I'm not being biased, but they do have a legitimate chance at winning the division. With the offensive line becoming consistently better, allowing only three sacks in two games, and the rushing attack led by rookie Matt Forte, they could pull it off.

Ranked ninth in the league in rushing and 12th at points scored, the offense is looking solid, or should I say consistent. With a healthy core of defenders, the Bears' defense is top 10 in the NFL.

If Kyle Orton can keep playing mistake free at QB, and take a couple of shots down field, and if Matt Forte and the O-line stay healthy, it is possible. The Bears have a decent schedule ahead of them, with the next five out seven games at Soldier field.

One thing to watch for is that Chicago has four more prime-time games against worthy opponents. Also keep an eye on Orton, and don't be surprised to see Rex Grossman on the field at some point.

Look for the Bears to win at least 10 games.

Green Bay Packers - Contender

The Packers are the favorite by far, right? Not so fast. Green Bay has one of the best offenses in the league, being third in points scored and sixth in total yards. However, they are starting the first non-Favre QB in 16 years. Right now, Aaron Rodgers is playing MVP football, with 506 passing yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions, and 117.8 QB rating.

Unfortunately, he is not going to be the MVP, and the teams he plays will only get harder. At 2-0, they have already won two division games, but they were against two of the worst teams in the NFL right now.

I think this week will show what they are made of when they take on the 2-0 Cowboys at home. One other thing is the Packers' suspect defense. They are towards the bottom of the league in most categories and, again, they haven't played very good teams.

I think if Green Bay loses to Dallas this Sunday night, they will come back to reality and realize that the first two games were easy. With all that said, look for the Packers to go 10-6, but they might edge out the Bears and finish at 11-5.

All stats and information used as of Week Three.

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