Week Eight NFC North Power Rankings

Far from a typical week in the NFC North. The Vikings and Bears played a shootout, and the Packers beat an AFC South powerhouse. One constant in the NFC North? The Detroit Lions, as they lost their sixth in a row. In the end, the division went 2-2 this week.

1. Chicago Bears (4-3)

I was tempted to drop them, but when I thought about it, they had a decent week. The Bears' got a big win over a division rival, and that offense looks legit.

In reality though, Chicago got really lucky: the blocked punt that Vikings' punter Chris Kluwe proceeded to kick into the waiting arms of Garrett Wolfe. Or the punt that went off the Vikings' Charles Gordon and into the end zone for a Bears touchdown. Or Desmond Clark fumbles into the end zone that Rashied Davis picks up for another touchdown.

That's three lucky scores. Maybe I'm being too hard on the Bears, because teams can make their own luck. Either way, the Bears get a big division win.

It's a bye week for Chicago next week, but they get Detroit after the bye. The only thing that could stop them from being 5-3 is if half the Bears head out to Lake Michigan and participate in their own version of the Vikings sex cruise. Not gonna happen folks.

2. Green Bay Packers (4-3)

Like I said, it was very tempting to put the Packers ahead of Chicago after their domination of Indianapolis. Green Bay won every facet of that game, and if you want to read more about that game, click here.

How about that defense, though? For all the negative publicity they have been getting, they showed up Sunday. Nick Collins undoubtly deserves to be in the Pro Bowl, as does Charles Woodson. When Atari Bigby and Al Harris come back, it will only add to an already emerging defense.

And really, you can't say enough about Aaron Rodgers. He performs week-in and week-out. Another week with no turnovers, another win for Green Bay. That might be the winning equation for the Pack.

Bye week for Green Bay, but a big game against the still undefeated Tennessee Titans looms large after the break.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-4)

It was a fun game to watch, but the Vikings came out on the wrong side of scoreboard. Their special teams have been atrocious this season, and it will continue to cost them games if it doesn't get cleaned up. 

Fire Brad Childress? I'm not going that far quite yet. He has to get that defense playing better, because it has far too many playmakers to be giving up 48 points, especially to the Bears. The playcalling has been pretty suspect though, so who knows what Childress has in his future with owner Zygi Wolf calling the shots.

One thing I do know is Adrian Peterson needs the ball more. If you run AD on the left side of that offensive line 25 times a game, there's no way he is getting less than 120 yards. When you have a talent like that, overusing it is much better than underusing.

I could be too pro-AD, but if my job was on the line (Childress), I'd be giving my best player the ball as much as I can.

Anyway, the Vikes are on a bye this week, too. One-win Houston comes to Minny after the break, so there is hope they can get back to .500.

4. Detroit Lions (0-6)

Negatives: Lions are 0-6. Their defense is terrible. The offensive line couldn't block a D-1 pass rush. Have given up 90 more points than they have scored. Been outscored 54-0 in the first quarter.

Positives: First pick in the draft. Roy Williams was traded for draft picks. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Matt Millen is no longer a part of the organization. That's all I can come up with; feel free to add more if you have any.

Will the Lions win a game? If you look at the rest of their schedule, it's tough to pick out a game they could steal, especially with Dan Orlovsky at quarterback. Lions fans, please give me an argument against them going 0-16. I'd love to hear it. I picked them to beat Houston this past week, and they failed. I'm done with Detroit.

MVP of Week Seven: Nick Collins, GB

I can't say enough good things about Packers safety Nick Collins. He completely turned the Packers-Colts game around, shifting it into a Green Bay massacre.

Did you see his play a couple plays later? He might not have intercepted the pass, but the breakup he made on a Peyton Manning pass near the end zone was much more impressive then his pick-and-return.

With the Cowboys' Roy Williams being out for the season, Collins really needs to be looked at for a Pro Bowl starter. Four interceptions, two touchdowns...He has my vote!

Player to Watch in Week Eight: Calvin Johnson, DET

This is more by default than anything. Every team in the division has a bye except Detroit, and Johnson is far away the most talented player on the Lions. He could have a big game against the 'Skins, as he went for a 96-yard touchdown last week against Houston.

Don't expect much for him though, because Washington is going to be angry after losing to the resurgent Rams and barely squeaking by the Browns.

Game to Watch in Week Eight: Washington @ Detroit

Another default pick for the Lions. Could they steal one from the Redskins? Doubtful. But just the chance of it happening is reason to watch. No team has ever went 0-16. Each week represents another opportunity for the Lions to escape that fate.

Don't expect it to be this week. Clinton Portis will run them into submission. See 0-7 next week.

Predictions

Washington 31 Detroit 10

Portis runs all over the Lions. Orlovsky might be the answer at QB, but he might not. Either way, he struggles in this game. 'Skins QB Jason Campbell has throws for 250+ yards and a couple touchdowns. Goodbye 0-6, hello 0-7 for Detroit.

OVERALL (5-7): Chicago beating Minny gave me my only pick of the week. Still under .500, as the Pack surprised Indy and Detroit failed to uphold my upset pick.

Be sure to check back next week!