NFC North Preview: Are the Vikes Still the Team to Beat?

The NFC North was fueled with excitement going into the 2009-10 NFL season. Three teams had new starting quarterbacks, and the only returning starting QB, Aaron Rodgers, was coming in to only his second season on the job.

What did we learn?

Rodgers is a franchise QB, Favre lived up to the hype, Cutler had nobody to throw to in Chicago, and Matthew Stafford has a chance to be a star.

After an exit in a thrilling NFC Championship against the Saints, are the Vikings still the team to beat, or can another team rise up and take down the reigning division champs?

Here are my predictions for the NFC North.

Fourth: Detroit Lions

Looking at the pure results, the Lions may not seem like they improved much last season. However, Matthew Stafford's injury and willingness to play through it showed the everybody why he was the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Besides a tolerance for pain, Stafford showed off a rocket arm and surprising accuracy. I expect a big improvement from Stafford, who emerged as this team's leader late in the year.

Calvin Johnson had a bit of a drop-off statistically, but this was mostly due to injury and adjusting to a new, rookie quarterback. When he was healthy, he still showcased the physical tools that scouts rave about and will likely be back on track this year.

Nate Burleson is a big addition to the offense and should keep at least some double coverages off of Calvin Johnson. Also, an offensive line anchored by three 10+ year vets including former Pro-Bowler Jon Jansen should provide better protection for Stafford, while allowing newly drafted Jahvid Best to make plays from the backfield.

As far as the defense is concerned, the additions of Kyle Vanden Bosch and rookie Ndamukong Suh on the defensive line will provide a better push up front and limit the time opposing QBs have in the pocket. That will take pressure off an unproven linebacking corps and secondary so they can play more within themselves.

I expect a big improvement from this team. Unfortunately for them, that still means they remain in the cellar of this division, for now.

Record: 6-10

Third: Chicago Bears

Following a very disappointing 2009-2010 campaign, the Bears will look to get back on track in 2010-2011. The city was buzzing after the team traded for Pro-Bowl QB Jay Cutler, but Cutler scuffled without a legitimate downfield threat. Bringing in Mike Martz to coach the offense was a deliberate attempt to rejuvenate Cutler. He should thrive in Mike Martz's pass-happy offense and be able to spread the field a little better in his second year at the helm for Chicago.

Devin Aromashodu showed signs of becoming a potential No. 1 receiver for Cutler to throw to. He seems to have the physical tools and chemistry with Cutler to create a fairly dangerous tandem for opposing defenses to deal with.

The defense looked great at times and old at others, but Brian Urlacher only played in one game. They should rebound well provided their catalyst is back on the field at MLB.  Julius Peppers will command double teams up front, freeing up the rest of the d-line to put pressure on the quarterback.

The on-field product should give the fans just enough to cheer about and the front office just enough wins to give Lovie Smith at least one more year on the job.

Record: 8-8

Second: Minnesota Vikings

Fresh off a Favre mistake from going to the Super Bowl, the Vikings have had yet another offseason of will he or won't he from their indecisive future Hall of Famer.

The funny thing about all of this is that, standings wise, it won't matter if Favre comes back or not, because the Vikings still go home with the silver medal.

Favre had a great season. It was an un-Favre-like year with 33 TDs and only seven interceptions. When you combine that with a great offensive line, running back, and defense, you get a team that probably should have gone to Super Sunday. To bad they missed their chance.

Even if Favre returns, he will have nowhere near the year he did last year. Teams will be gunning for that bum ankle on football's "iron man." Staying healthy will be his main goal, as it should, and his play will suffer a little due to that. 

Without Favre, this team still has enough to finish second, but probably not enough to make the Wild Card.

There is no question about Adrian Peterson's talent, but his ability to hold onto the ball is suspect. If he didn't fix this in the offseason, he has the potential for as many fumbles as TDs. With that being said, his O-Line is still solid and Toby Gerhart will do well to spell him.

The defense will be interesting to watch. Kevin and Pat Williams clog holes up the middle, but another year on those big bodies may make them easier to push around. Jared Allen is still a beast, and the linebackers are sold. Antoine Winfield is the secondary's only standout.

Record with Favre: 11-5

Record w/out Favre: 9-7

First: Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have the team to take home the NFC North title in 2010-2011. This is really a complete team. They are coming off a very good season and improved significantly in the offseason. 

Aaron Rodgers was terrific last year and has proven his worth as a franchise quarterback. He led the team to an 11-5 record and fell just one game short of tying the Vikings for the top spot last year. He had help in the skill positions in stud receiver Greg Jennings and the always solid Donald Driver.

Tight end Jermichael Finley emerged as a major endzone threat. Also, what started the year as a shaky at best offensive line really came together to protect the QB and create holes for an underrated Ryan Grant in the backfield. The front office provided even more beef in the middle by drafting Brian Bulaga, the fantastic OL out of Iowa.

Losing Aaron Kampman to Jacksonville will likely hamper the defense at first, but they definitely have the talent to compensate for his loss up front.

The linebacking corps is one of the best you will find in the NFL with Nick Barnett and A. J. Hawk filling the middle and Clay Matthews patrolling one of the outsides.

The secondary is very deep with two 13-year vets in Charles Woodson and Al Harris at corner backed up by the very capable Tramon Williams. Nick Collins and Atari Bibgy do a great job at their respective safety spots, keeping their opponents' deep balls in check.

The most complete team in the division combined with the best home field advantage in the NFL produce a division winner and legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Record: 13-3