The Analysis Of The NFC North Division

Here's a look at the upcoming 2009 season now that the NFL draft is over.

Today, we will focus on the NFC North.

From my perspective, I've always found, being a Bears fan, that the NFC North intra division games are the most boring games on the schedule.  Why?

The Lions are consistently losers. 

The Packers no longer have Favre, Ron Wolf, and Mike Holmgren and continue to get worse each year.

The Vikings continue to add personnel on both sides of the ball, but are weak at the most important position.  Tavares Jackson  displayed some promise at the end of last season, but he has alot to prove in the NFL.

In Depth:

The Lions went 0-16 last year, and yet IMO, they were NOT the worst team in the NFL. Based on pure speculation, I'd put my money on the Rams.  They only played 2 teams with losing records (49ers & Packers) Their QBs, which consisted of Kitna, Orlovsky, and Culpepper averaged 16.8 points per game and were ranked 27th of 32 teams.   But the defense was a horrific.  Ranked 32 out of 32, they gave up 517 points, or 32.3 ppg.  They gave up 30 or more points 11 times last year.  During the season, the creator of this mess, Matt Millen, resigned.   During the offseaon, the Lions, despite knowledge of the above,  went ahead and revamped the offense. I found Orlovsky to be a promising qb....and Houston promptly signed him to a 3 yr, 9 mil contract.  The Lions promptly drafted another qb, while promotion Culpepper to the starting position.  Conclusion:  This team is going nowhere fast.  4-12 this coming season

The Packers began the 2008 season by trading Favre to the Jets and promoting Aaron Rodgers as a starter.  Good move.  Aaron, who was one of the leaders in throwing TDs, lacks the ability to lead combacks in the way Favre magically used to.  That said, it was injuries to the Packers D that killed this team.   Due to a lack of colorfully characters, a lack of premier talent on both sides of the ball, this team is anywhere from a 7-9 team to a 9-7 team in the coming 2009 season

The Vikings 2008 advanced to the playoffs due to the Bears losing their last game and was immediately knocked out of the playoffs.  They have been aggressive in acquiring talent like Jared Allen.  On the other side of the ball, Adrian Peterson is the most dangerous player in the NFL.  At any point, this RB can score a TD.   Only injuries hold this guy back.

The Chicago Bears made the biggest splash of the 2009 Season by trading two #1 Picks (This year and Next Year) to the Denver Broncos for QB Jay Cutler.  Ironically, the Bears biggest problem in 2008 was defense.  They no longer executed like an elite NFL defense.  In fact, Kyle Orton kept them in several games last season, only to have the defense lose the lead in the remaining moments. Was it personnel?  In my opinion, because 7 above average players had sub par season, I can only conclude that the overall philosophy was incorrect.  Players out of position.   Inability to anticipate the play.  Inability to get to the qb without blitzing.  The Bears have hopefully solved this problem by demoting their DC and hiring Rod Marinelli.  Marinelli is considered one of the best DL coaches in the game, as vouched for by Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice.  On offense, Jay Culter is the 2000 pound gorilla that the bears traded for.   Cutler has a big arm.  His critics contend that he has a losing record and has never won a championship.  To which I respond, "Shaq had the same issues and how many rings does he have in the NBA?"   Denver's Defense gave up 30 or more points 9 times.  No qb in the history of the NFL has had a winning record when the defense gives up that many points.  Cutler's early tenure shows promising of being one of the elite NFL qbs.  He is coming off a pro bowl year and easily makes the Bears the team to beat in the NFL.   Combined with Matt Forte, who had an excellent rookie season, and the two TE Greg Olson and Desmond Clark, the bears offense could become explosive.  Except they have a terrible WR corp.  Devin Hester looks mere mortal at the WR position.  Rashied Davis is nothing more than a slot receiver....and had trouble catching the ball last year.  Jerry Angelo address the WR by drafting 3 players.  Hopefully one of them will stick.

Conclusion:  Look for the Vikings or Bears to take this Division.  I'm picking the Bears to go 12-4 and lose in the NFC championship game.