2011 NFC North Predictions: Chicago Bears Struggle After Winning the Division
After winning the division two consecutive years, the Minnesota Vikings fell to the bottom of the NFC north in 2010. The Chicago Bears won the division last season but would lose to the division runner-up Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship game.
The Packers would follow that up with an improbable Super Bowl victory after losing 15 players to injured reserve during the regular season. A healthy team in 2011 will make the Packers the favorite to win their first division title since Brett Favre was the quarterback.
It could be interesting to see who will emerge as the team behind Green Bay. Chicago appeared to have a fairy-tale season last year after struggling in 2009. The Lions finished the season winning their final four games and the young talented roster has the city of Detroit optimistic for the first time in more than a decade. Minnesota went the wrong way in 2010 and will try to re-emerge as a consistent division threat.
Here are early rankings for the black and blue division.
1. Green Bay Packers, Predicted Record: 13-3
1 of 4
Biggest Strengths: Quarterback, Linebackers
Aaron Rodgers can make every throw and outside of Mike Vick, is the best running quarterback in the league. Clay Mathews became a defensive MVP in just his second season and the team also has Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk, which makes the group one of the best in the league.
Biggest Weaknesses: Running Back
The Packers' run to the Super Bowl is so amazing considering they never really had a running game. Brandon Jackson won’t be back and James Starks will never be anything better than a good backup. Ryan Grant will return and is solid but he lacks explosiveness and doesn’t strike fear in any good defensive team.
Etc.
The Packers will only lose three games all season and will win the NFC North. One of the losses will be against a division rival, but they will still run away with the division.
Donald Driver’s best years are behind him but it won’t matter with the return of one of the best tight ends in the game, Jermichael Finley. The Packers also got stronger in the draft with first-round tackle Derek Sherrod and second-round wide receiver Randall Cobb will be another weapon for Rodgers alongside Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson.
2. Detroit Lions, Predicted Record: 10-6
2 of 4
Biggest Strengths: Receiver, Defensive Line
Calvin Johnson is sitting on a huge season and I think it will happen in 2011 whether Matt Stafford or Shaun Hill is throwing it. Brandon Pettigrew is emerging as one of the game’s best tight ends; his 722 yards was seventh-best among tight ends.
Ndamukong Suh is the best rookie defensive lineman since Kevin Williams. You throw in Kyle Vanden Bosch and first-round draft pick Nick Fairley and you possibly have a top-five defensive line.
Biggest Weaknesses: Defensive Backs, Running Back
Alphonso Smith had five interceptions this season but the Lions could still use some help in the defensive backfield. Jahvid Best is a good pass-catching running back but the Lions didn’t produce much on the ground, ranking No. 23 in rushing.
Etc.
It is hard to really give the Lions a 10-win season because they are the Lions, but they have nice pieces that could make them into a playoff team in 2011. It is still hard to judge what kind of quarterback Matt Stafford will be but Shaun Hill proved last season that if Stafford can’t go, he is capable of leading this team to wins.
If the Lions don’t win at least eight games this season, then I will conclude that they never will—at least not in this decade.
3. Minnesota Vikings, Predicted Record: 8-8
3 of 4
Biggest Strengths: Running Back, Defensive Line
If Adrian Peterson would have gotten any blocking last season, he would have rushed for 1,500 yards. I have watched every game of his career and I will never argue that he isn’t the best running back in the game.
The defensive line will lose Ray Edwards and possibly Pat Williams to free agency but it doesn’t hurt them as much as people think. Why? Because they still have Jared Allen and Kevin Williams, two of the best at their positions. Allen had a slow start last year but still finished with 11.5 sacks. A healthy Williams will still make the defensive line one of the game’s best.
Biggest Weaknesses: Offensive Line, Defensive Backs
The offensive line was brutal last year. Brett Favre was killed because the line couldn’t protect him. Bryant McKinnie has the talent to dominate at times but is inconsistent and can look horrible. John Sullivan was injured last season but the center gets pushed around and makes Vikings fans wish Matt Birk was still here.
Anthony Herrera is a hard-working guard but he can’t block any above-average defensive tackle. Phil Loadholt had a disappointing sophomore season after a great rookie year. Steve Hutchinson is a future Hall of Fame guard but is starting to look old.
The defensive backs, outside of Antoine Winfield, were terrible last season. The team really missed Cedric Griffin opposite Winfield and the safeties were unproductive. Getting a healthy Chris Cook and Griffin should make the unit better but the team needs a playmaking safety.
Etc.
The Vikings are not a bad team and last season’s struggles can be attributed to one of the craziest seasons any NFL team has ever had (Favre sexting and streak, fired coach, roof collapsing).
The team has some very talented players under the age of 30 with Peterson, Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice, Allen and Chad Greenway, but they need more depth at positions and they have to get younger. This will be a better team in 2011 but are probably a year or two away from being a legitimate top-five team again.
A lot will depend on how first-round quarterback Christian Ponder progresses. If he can develop into a worthy No. 12 selection, then the team will be a contender again soon.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. Chicago Bears, Predicted Record: 6-10
4 of 4
Biggest Strengths: Linebackers, Return Game
Lance Briggs is as consistent as they come and is still in his prime. Brian Urlacher had a bounce-back season and appears to be back to his Pro Bowl form. Devin Hester also had a bounce-back season in the return game with three touchdowns. Danieal Manning is also very good in returns and should be healthy again next year after being somewhat slowed by injuries in 2010.
Biggest Weaknesses: Offensive Line, Receivers
The offensive line got better as the season moved along but they were still terrible. Jay Cutler was sacked 52 times, more than any other QB in the league. The Bears took a positive step in getting better in this area by drafting offensive lineman Gabe Carimi in the first round, who could be an upgrade at either tackle or guard.
Cutler could use more help from his receivers as well. There isn’t one receiver who plays for the Bears that would start on any other team in the division. The only one who scares anyone is Devin Hester but he isn’t a true No. 1 receiver.
Etc.
Yes, I have the defending division champs finishing dead last in 2011.
The Bears benefited from being basically injury-free last season but they are only an above-average team that will fall hard next season. A lot will depend on how Cutler bounces back after last season’s NFC championship debacle. Cutler looks mentally unstable at times and if that carries into the 2011 season, the Bears could be in real trouble.
You never know with the Bears though; I thought they were going to be bad last year and they won the division, but I am feeling a disastrous 2011 season for the Bears.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")