Chicago Bears Should Contend Strongly for NFC North Title

With the acquisitions of quarterback Jay Cutler and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, among other offseason moves, the Chicago Bears should be considered a heavy favorite to win a division title in 2009.

The NFL's North Division provided little elite competition in 2008, as the Minnesota Vikings won it with a meager 10-6 record. Luckily for the Vikings, Chicago did not have a passing game or a consistently decent defense.

After the Bears' busy offseason, however, neither Minnesota nor any team in the NFC North will be so lucky, as Chicago has, on paper, changed. However, the Bears are not the only team that has made crucial changes in the offseason.

Minnesota Vikings

It should be no surprise if the Vikings provide a serious challenge to the Bears' division title hopes. They have probably the best team, besides Chicago, in the NFC North.

Minnesota will enter the 2009 season with the sixth-ranked defense in the National Football League despite the four game suspension of defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams for violating the NFL's anti-doping policy. The defense should be at least equally productive this season.

On offense, running back Adrian Peterson carried the load in 2008, as he led the NFL with 1,760 rushing yards. His running proved to be Minnesota's only consistent offensive weapon, as the passing offense ranked 25th in the NFL.

In the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Minnesota selected wide receiver Percy Harvin from the University of Florida. Harvin was recently selected by his new team to conduct the Wildcat formation, giving the Vikings a complementary offensive force along with Peterson.

Green Bay Packers

After finishing 2008 with the NFL's 20th-ranked defense and a 6-10 record, the Packers hired Dom Capers as their defensive coordinator.

With the change in coaching personnel comes a new defensive scheme, as Green Bay will switch to a 3-4 defense. In the draft, the Packers used their two first-round picks to snatch players who could excel in the 3-4 defense, selecting defensive tackle B.J. Raji from Boston College and Clay Matthews from USC.

However, they could not find an experienced outside linebacker. Instead, they will try to convert two-time Pro Bowler Aaron Kampman from defensive end to a position similar to a position in which Kansas City Chief Derrick Thomas excelled: an outside linebacker primarily used to rush the quarterback.

Detroit Lions

What can be said about the only team to finish an NFL season 0-16? Just one thing: it cannot get any worse.

With quarterback Matthew Stafford, the draft's first overall pick out of Georgia, throwing to a potential future superstar in wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the Lions should be able to win a few games. However, one would be understandably shocked if they make any noise in the NFC North race.

Summary

Kampman may have some difficulty with his adjustment to the linebacker position, most likely to the task of covering receivers down field. The Bears' Matt Forte, who led his team in receptions, could easily catch a pass out of the flats and make Kampman's life miserable in Bears vs. Packers matchups.

Without a consistently productive quarterback, the Vikings should have a few troubles against the Bears' defense this season. Peterson will have a hard time running if the Bears stack the tackle box, and his fumbling tendencies could be a problem as Chicago's defense has the proven ability to force turnovers at any given moment. 

If the Bears' offseason changes prove to be productive and they can take advantage of the weaknesses of their NFC North opponents, they will win their third division title in five years.