Week 10 NFC North Power Rankings

The NFC North definitely had its ups and downs Sunday. The division-leading Bears lost their starting quarterback but beat Detroit, the Packers almost knocked the Titans from the ranks of the unbeaten, and the Vikings beat the red-hot Texans in the Metrodome. Overall, the division went 2-2 this weekend.

1. Chicago Bears (5-3)

How big of a loss will quarterback Kyle Orton be? First reports are that he may be lost for a month, meaning the Bears will be without Orton for big games against the Titans and Packers.

Rex Grossman "led" the Bears back to beat Detroit, but can Grossman be counted on to win big games for Chicago? Going 9-for-19 with 58 yards and a 49.9 passer rating won't exactly put any scare into the Titans next weekend. After getting a good look at the Tennessee defense this weekend, Grossman could be in for a very long afternoon.

The Good Rex-Bad Rex debate will be hotly contested in the coming weeks in the Windy City, but when it comes down to it, Grossman led the Bears to their fifth win and sole lead of the NFC North.

Chicago gets unbeaten Tennessee at Soldier Field Sunday.

2. Green Bay Packers (4-4)

The Packers' 19-16 overtime loss to the Titans might have been the best game they've played all season, but that doesn't change the fact that the Packers are again back at .500. They had chances to win that game, but Tennessee's rushing attack proved to be too formidable a task for Green Bay in the fourth quarter and overtime.

While on the subject, does anyone else agree with me that Titans running back Chris Johnson might be a top-five NFL back right now? His speed, toughness, and versatility remind me a lot of one LaDainian Tomlinson.

Anyway, the Packers had some things that they could take away from their heartbreaking loss. Green Bay put up over 400 yards against the fourth best defense in the NFL, and for most of the game played very well on defense.

That game also prepped Green Bay for this week's game, as the Packers get an almost identical offense to stop this Sunday in the Minnesota Vikings. It presents a big game for each team at the Metroome in Minneapolis.

3. Minnesota Vikings (4-4)

I didn't get to see much of the Vikings' 28-21 win over the Texans, but from the looks of the stats and highlights, Minnesota played reasonably well. Adrian Peterson ran for over 100 yards again, and Bernard Berrian continues to earn his paycheck, catching two long passes from Gus Frerotte.

Peterson has seemingly had a pretty quiet start to this season, but AD still ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards with 823, and is on pace for 1600. I'm still not ready to annoint him "King" of NFL running backs, but he is quickly closing the gap on Tomlinson in only his second season.

And how about Mr. Berrian? He has caught touchdown passes in each of his last four games, and his 20.7 yards per catch is near the top of the NFL. Berrian has been everything the Vikings hoped he'd be—the vertical deep threat the Vikes have been missing since Randy Moss was traded away from the Twin Cities.

Minny gets the Packers at home in a critical midseason matchup between NFC North rivals.

4. Detroit Lions (0-8)

The Lions continue to find new ways to lose football games. Leading by 10 at half on the road, the Lions choked up the lead to Rex Grossman in the fourth quarter. I'm convinced the Lions will win a game in 2008, but that was a game that even the Lions should have won.

Quarterback Dan Orlovsky continues to improve, but there is still no running attack. I'll say it every week about this team: If you can't run the ball, it's going to be hard to win in the NFL.

With the state of the Lions' defense, it's nearly impossible to knock off anyone by only rushing for 53 yards on 26 attempts. You've got to do better than slightly over two yards a carry.

There are also rumblings out of Detroit that recently-signed quarterback Daunte Culpepper might play Sunday. Culpepper-to-Calvin Johnson is intriguing to me.

The Lions play the Jaguars, who gave the Bengals their first win of 2008 last Sunday, at home this weekend. Optimism for win numero uno in the Motor City?

MVP of Week Nine: Adrian Peterson, MIN

Like I said, I didn't get to catch much of the Vikings game, but some of the highlights included a couple good looking runs from Peterson. He ended up with 136 yards and a touchdown, marking the fifth time AD has run over 100 yards this season.

His value extends farther than just numbers, however. Peterson continually brings eight, nine, and even 10 players into the defensive box to stop him, and that opens up the deep threat the Vikings have been hitting to Berrian.

If I'm a defensive coordinator, I still want Gus Frerotte beating me before I want Peterson too, so expect the defensive alignments to continue against Peterson.

Player to Watch in Week 10: Calvin Johnson, DET

No matter who is starting in Detroit, Johnson is going to get his looks. He is on pace for over almost 1400 yards and 12 touchdowns, so quietly CJ is putting together a nice 2008 campaign.

However, the possibility of Culpepper throwing bombs to Johnson really has me excited (but also nervous for my Packers, of course). His ability is comparable to Randy Moss at this point in his career, so having Culpepper could really benefit Johnson moving forward this season.

I could be over-hyping this hook-up, but keep an eye on the Lions this weekend against a susceptible Jacksonville squad.

Game to Watch in Week 10: Green Bay @ Minnesota

Both are one game back in the NFC North race, but this is a huge game for each team. Accumulating five losses only nine games into the season will mean a lot of trouble for that unlucky team if they want to make it to the playoffs.

Regardless, it will be a good game to watch. The Packers are coming off a physical and emotional loss to the Titans, and the Vikings will be riding high after beating the Texans and getting back to .500. Peterson has been on fire for the Vikes, and the Packers have struggled stopping the run against good-running teams so far in 2008.

Green Bay beat Minnesota, 24-19, in week one of the season. Look for a similiar score Sunday.

Predictions

Tennessee 23, Chicago 10

This prediction is based solely on the assumption that Orton will be sitting out. The Titans are too physical for the Bears, and Chris Johnson and LenDale White will have another big game against a questionable defense. Definitely a game where "Bad Rex" shows up, and who knows how many turnovers he could have Sunday.

Green Bay 27, Minnesota 24

I went back-and-forth on this prediction, but I think Rodgers is the difference in this game. He connects with Jennings and Driver for a couple big plays, and Grant runs for over 100 yards. (Yes, 100. Grant has actually had success against Minnesota's run-defense in his two previous games.) Frerotte throws a couple costly picks against the Pack's opportunistic secondary.

Jacksonville 21, Detroit 20

I want to pick the Lions in the worst way this week, but I think the Jags come out with a renewed passion after losing to the now one-win Bengals. Detroit's running attack stays stuck in neutral, and even if Culpepper starts, it's not enough for the Lions' faithful to witness their first win of 2008.

OVERALL (8-8)

Bears beat the Lions, and my prediction about the Packers was spot on. Minny kept me from my long-awaited perfect week of predictions by beating the Texans.

Previous Rankings

Week Nine

Week Eight