NFL Power Rankings: Examining the Deepest Division in Football
The NFC North has the exquisite makeup to be unequivocally the best and deepest division in football this season.
Sure, the NFC East has a fine trio of teams and a Washington Redskins club that's now led by Robert Griffin III instead of John Beck or Rex Grossman, but I'm not buying into the hype.
The New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys will be good, but the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions will be better.
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The Minnesota Vikings should improve about a disastrous 2011 season, as well. The addition of Matt Kalil will go a long way in the maturation process of Christian Ponder.
Let's take an in-depth look at the ultra-competitive, supremely talented NFC North.
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The Packers were stunned in the second round of the playoffs, but it shouldn't have come at such a big surprise based on the way their secondary played all season and the skill in the Giants' receiving corps.
Green Bay intelligently addressed the skill in their defensive backfield by drafting Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward in the first round of this year's draft.
At 5'11'' and 194 pounds, he has good size to play against bigger receivers and has a great deal of athleticism. Most importantly, he's an instinctive ball-hawk, as he snagged 13 interceptions in his last two seasons with the Commodores. Nobody better for Hayward to learn from than Charles Woodson.
Nick Perry adds a much-needed Clay Matthews complement, and has the size and natural ability to become a fine pass-rusher at the next level. The defense can only get better from their dismal 2011 performance.
We know how dynamic they are on offense, thanks to reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. His group of receivers are stellar and Jordy Nelson's on the verge of morphing into a household name this year. Coming off their disappointing end to an otherwise stellar 15-1 campaign, the Packers will be looking to prove their legitimacy as a true Super Bowl contender.
10. Chicago Bears
The Bears were a sound 7-3 club before Jay Cutler and Matt Forte went down with injuries. Though Forte's battling through a bitter contract dispute right now, I'd be shocked if his holdout extends to the regular season.
He's one of the more under-appreciated yet multi-faceted backs in the NFL.
Cutler's a fine thrower of the football, but has lacked premier talent at wideout during his tenure with the Bears.
Now that he's reunited with Brandon Marshall and has the menacing Alshon Jeffery, he'll flourish.
On defense, Shea McClellin infuses some much-needed youth to the front seven and should have a quietly productive 2012 playing alongside Julius Pepper and Henry Melton.
Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs have become the elder statesmen of the team, but they're still a formidable linebacker tandem that plays the game with unparalleled wit and a fierce explosion to the ball.
Chicago's a well-rounded club that'll be competitive nearly every week this season.
11. Detroit Lions
Where to start with these Lions?
So much talent at so many positions. In 2011, we witnessed what Matthew Stafford is capable of when he stays healthy, and Calvin Johnson, well, he's otherworldly.
Remember when Chris Carter said he was only elite in video games and not in real life?
Yikes.
Titus Young's a quality slot option and Ryan Broyles, if fully recovered from his knee injury, can be electric from that position, as well.
I'd like to see a bit more from the running game, but heck, in today's game, the passing game is king. They addressed their offensive line by selecting Iowa's Riley Reiff in the first round of this year's draft. While Reiff isn't a stonewall left tackle, he's sound in all areas and has a considerable amount of upside.
On the defensive side of the football, Ndamukong Suh, despite all his supposed anger issues and dirty play, is a disruptive force in the middle.
Fourth-round pick Ronnell Lewis should wreak havoc off the edge with Kyle Vanden Bosch and third-round pick Dwight Bentley will see significant time on the field in 2012.
An explosive club just entering its prime.
15. Denver Broncos
16. Dallas Cowboys
17. Buffalo Bills
21. New York Jets
23. Tennessee Titans
24. Oakland Raiders
26. Seattle Seahawks
27. Cleveland Browns
28. Miami Dolphins
29. St. Louis Rams
Yes, right now, I couldn't justify placing the Vikings any higher than this. That doesn't mean I think they'll be atrocious for the entire 2012 season.
Matt Kalil will become Christian Ponder's new best friend as his blindside protector and Jairus Wright should create mismatches playing with Percy Harvin in that bubble-screen role for Minnesota. Harrison Smith wasn't my favorite safety in the draft, but he's brings intelligence and reliable tackling to a safety position that was thoroughly victimized last year.
John Carlson was a bit pricey in free-agency, but it was worth it. Young quarterbacks need steady tight ends they can rely on over the middle and in checkdown situations. Carlson can be that guy for Ponder. Don't forget Kyle Rudolph, either.
The return of Adrian Peterson will obviously be a key to their 2012 campaign, but I think the Vikings will surprise people in 2012 and play tough against their division rivals.
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