Why Every Division in the NFC Is Still Up for Grabs

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers

Why they have a shot:

• Aaron Rodgers is playing well. Very well. He's limiting his mistakes and is putting his team in a position to win. I'm not saying starting him and getting rid of Favre was the right move, but it sure doesn't look like it's going to hurt them any.
• The wide receivers are playing well and making Rodgers very comfortable. It's a lot easier for a young quarterback knowing he has great guys to throw to.
• Ryan Grant seems to have gotten figured out a little bit, but he's getting better. He's showing a determination to win and it's paying off for them.

Why they could blow it:

• Is Aaron Rodgers ready to play with the big boys in the playoffs and beyond? We'll see.
• Ryan Grants, while getting better, needs to continue that improvement. If he drops off in production, or even plateaus, that could mean bad things for this team.
• The defense needs to play better against the run. I can think of at least two games this year that they lost because their run defense did not show up.

2. Chicago Bears

Why they have a shot:

• I said during the preseason that Kyle Orton was the obvious choice here. He may not make the highlight reels for any spectacular games, but he does enough to win games. He's a winner, plain and simple.
• Matt Forte makes you forget he's a rookie. He's playing like he's been in the NFL for years. He has great vision and is big enough to get the tough yards.
• This group of seemingly pedestrian receivers are playing like a group that hasn't been told they're not supposed to be good. Good for them.
• Have to give props to the defense. They show up when it counts (just ask an Eagles fan).

Why they could blow it:

• This is not a team built to play from behind. So, if the defense were to have a couple bad games, the offense is not built to get them out of a jam.
• Losing a close game like they did to the Falcons has to hurt. They have to show they can rebound. And for the record, I credit that win to the Atlanta offense, not a strike against the Bears' D.
• Devin Hester is having a decent year at WR. However, his return skills are suffering, like many predicting. That's hurting their special teams greatly, and I don't see that unit winning any games for them this year.

3. Minnesota Vikings

Why they have a shot:

• Adrian Peterson is a freak of nature. That's that.
• Bernard Berrian and Gus Frerotte are getting some chemistry going and are moving this offense right along. They need to keep it up.
• Run defense is still beastly. The Williams brothers are still the best defensive tackle tandem in the league.

Why they could blow it:

• Not enough offensive production is gonna hurt them somewhere down the road, as if it hasn't been detrimental enough already.
• The pass defense is still suspect, as it was last year. They better hope that teams don't just throw out the running game against them, because that's all they can stop.
• They need more pressure on the quarterback. Jarred Allen especially needs to step up.

4. Detroit Lions

Why they have a shot:

• They still have talent left on that offense; they just need to utilize it better than what they have.
• If you really wanted a second reason, you're a Lions fan and I feel sorry for you anyway.

Why they could blow it:

• Dan Orlovsky is not the answer for this team. He proved that when he ran out of the back of the end zone in Minnesota. Drew Stanton has his chance now to make a stake to be this team's quarterback.
• The defense can't stop the run or pass and have given up the second-most points only to the Rams. Yikes.
• They got Rudi Johnson in the back half of his career. He may be done. The poor line play isn't helping either.

How I See This Shaping Up

1. Green Bay Packers (10-6)
2. Chicago Bears (9-7)
3. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
4. Detroit Lions (3-13)

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