Power Ranking the NFC North Offenses

The NFC North has two of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL. One has the potential to be very scary, and the other, though it has a long way to go, will still put points on the board.

The Minnesota Vikings are at the low end of the spectrum, but that doesn't mean they lack talent. Adrian Peterson coming back will be huge, whether it is for the full 16 games or just 14 or 12. Peterson is highly motivated, and while his injury might rob him of a step, 75 percent of Peterson is better than most backs in the league.

Christian Ponder was more effective than people give him credit for, and he and wide receiver Percy Harvin will both benefit when Jerome Simpson returns from suspension.

Still, this is a young offense and it will take time to become truly effective on a consistent basis. They'll put some points on the board, though, and are more dangerous than some might expect.

The Bears needed to make a bold move to help Jay Cutler, and so they went out and grabbed Brandon Marshall from the Miami Dolphins and selected Alshon Jeffery in the NFL draft. Both give Cutler big-play weapons he hasn't really had in some time.

The biggest concerns here are the offensive line (who will be left tackle?) and Matt Forte. Michael Bush is good, but he's not as good as Forte. With Forte in camp, this is a much more frightening backfield than with him holding out.

The final two are really close and the difference is very small.

Yes, the Green Bay Packers have the best quarterback in the NFC North, perhaps the league, but I have some questions about the receivers after Greg Jennings.

Can Jordy Nelson repeat as the No. 2? Will James Jones become more consistent? Can Randall Cobb take the next step to becoming a real threat? Will Jermichael Finley rebound from a drop-heavy 2011?

Sure, Ryan Broyles is coming off a bad leg injury, but Titus Young is looking like he heard his career "wake up" alarm go off, Nate Burleson is incredibly consistent and Brandon Pettigrew is as good a tight end as they come.

Oh, and some dude named Calvin Johnson might be good too.

The backfields are almost a wash—neither set is reliable from a health standpoint, and the Packers don't run all that much anyway. If Mikel Leshoure is healed up post-suspension and Jahvid Best can go a week without a concussion, the Lions will be more effective on the ground—but I wouldn't bet my life on either of those things.

In terms of the actual ability to move the chains, the Packers are very, very good. The Lions? Just a bit better.

Now I'm going to hide in a bunker before I get pelted by flaming Cheeseheads.