Week 12 NFC North Power Rankings

Another crazy week for the always-unpredictable NFC North. The Packers had their way with the Bears, the Vikings fumbled away a big opportunity, and the Lions keep finding ways to lose football games. Overall, the division went 1-3 this past weekend.

1. Green Bay Packers (5-5)

It's been a long time since the Packers sat on atop of my Power Rankings, but after their 37-3 beatdown of the Bears, I'm ready to put them here. Anytime you physically assault a division rival like that—regardless if it was the Packers or not—you're going to get my attention.

I don't want to jinx the young man, but running back Ryan Grant looks primed to have another huge second half. Grant has averaged over 102 yards his last four games, and that was against some pretty dominant run-defenses (Tennessee, Minnesota, Chicago).

If he has a second half anywhere close to his second half last season, the Packers are winning the division.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers bounced back nicely for Green Bay. He was facing a pass-defense with more holes than Wisconsin Swiss cheese, but it was important for him to play well, following up the Minnesota mess.

Here's a debate for all you football junkies out there: If the Packers win out from here—thus winning the division at 11-5—and Rodgers finishes with somewhere near 30 touchdowns, is he a legitimate MVP candidate? I'd love to hear your input.

Anyway, enough of my endless rambles. The Packers travel to the Big Easy for a tilt with the 5-5 Saints next Monday night.

2. Minnesota Vikings (5-5)

The Vikings blew a huge opportunity Sunday. With all the mistakes they made in that game, they still had an chance to beat the Tampa Bay Bucs on the road in the final two minutes. Chester Taylor coughed up the football, however, and now the Vikes are in some serious trouble.

Let's delve into Minnesota's looming future. First off, I'd be shocked if Kevin and Pat Williams get out of their four-game suspensions. Add in that both Jared Allen and Ray Edwards also facing possible suspensions, and you can see that the Vikes are seemingly up a creek without a paddle.

Now look at that schedule. With games against Arizona (7-3), Atlanta (6-4), and New York (9-1)—plus divisional games against Chicago and Detroit—Minnesota easily has the hardest path to NFC North supremacy. The Vikings could very easily go 6-10 or 7-9, a sad commentary for a team that had preseason Super Bowl aspirations.

Vikes get a trip to Jacksonville this weekend for a must win against the Jags.

3. Chicago Bears (5-5)

The Bears had held the top spot on these rankings for several weeks, but that performance Sunday really opened my eyes. Kyle Orton is far from healthy, and that defense leaves a lot to be desired.

It seemed that they could hang their hat on the run defense previously (ranked fourth in the NFL before the game, sixth after), but Grant and the Packers ran all over them Sunday.

That pass defense is terrible too, because, without a pass rush, the Cover Two is almost useless. Coach Lovie Smith (Lovie Era coming to an end in the Windy City?) has yet to make any helpful adjustment, and Rodgers and company made 'em pay.

It's also shocking how bad their collection of receivers are. Hester looks lost at times out there, but just the fact that he is one of their starting receivers is a shocking sign of how deficient they are in receivers. Without an explosive receiving option—every team in the North can claim at least one besides the Bears—Chicago's passing game won't scare teams.

I've been hard on the Bears, but they deserve it this week. Chicago travels to St. Louis this weekend, and they need a big win over the heartless Rams.

4. Detroit Lions (0-10)

Every week they creep closer to 0-16, but it seems they continue to take steps forward towards becoming a competitive team. Staying with the now 8-2 Panthers on the road was definitely a moral victory for the club, but moral victories don't equal wins in the NFL.

Daunte Culpepper is a stabilizer for that offense. One question though, why doesn't Culpepper just throw the vertical route to Calvin Johnson every play? That seems like a better option then half the plays Detroit tries to run anyway.

Staying with my prediction that Detroit will win a game. I can't decide which one yet, but it'll happen. A Dec. 7 matchup with the Vikings seems enticing to me, but who knows. Lions will finish 1-15 regardless.

Lions get Tampa Bay at home next week—tough matchup for Detroit.

MVP of Week 11: Ryan Grant, GB

It was a huge game for Grant, who I still think is being bothered by his injured hamstring. 145 yards and a score will fix any hurting for Grant though, and I know he has to be somewhat motivated by all the grumblings about his big contract he signed this offseason.

It seems he is getting his one-cut-and-go mentality back, and that bodes well for Grant. He was at his best last season when he made that one cut and headed up field, so if the offensive line continues to block well, Grant could have a monster second half.

Player to Watch in Week 12: Kyle Orton, CHI

I don't know if Orton is healthy or not, but I'm pretty sure he rushed it back too fast this week. Another week of rest should help out his performance, and so should playing the St. Louis Rams.

It's imperative for the Bears that Orton play well the rest of the season. It's possible that Matt Forte could hit the rookie wall at any time, so he's going to be expected to win a few games down the stretch. With his cast of receivers though, it could be rough sailing from here on out. 

Either way, expect Orton to play well Sunday. Rams are terrible, and he'll get plenty of opportunities to score throughout the game.

Game to Watch in Week 12: Minnesota @ Jacksonville

It's go time for the Vikes. With their murderous remaining schedule, games like this one are must wins. Jacksonville hung tough with the unbeaten Titans, and they have the beef up the middle to contain Adrian Peterson.

Like Kerry Collins last week, quarterback Gus Frerotte is going to have to beat the Jags with his arm. He should be looking for Bernard Berrian early and often, because if a Collins-to-Justin Gage combo can be successful, there is no reason why these two can't do something similar.

It'll be a dog-fight in Northern Florida Sunday.

Predictions

Green Bay 31 New Orleans 24

Packers secondary puts the clamps on the Drew Brees aerial show, and Grant continues his big second half with his second straight 100-yard game. Big interception seals it late for Green Bay.

Minnesota 24 Jacksonville 21

Both teams will be fighting for their playoff lives, but Minnesota prevails on the back of Frerotte. Peterson will still get his, but Berrian produces the big play that wins it for the Vikings.

Chicago 28 St. Louis 7

Bears get the gift of the Rams, and, for at least a week, heals up its wounds by slamming St. Louis. Orton throws a couple scores, and Forte runs for a couple more as Chicago lives to see another day.

Tampa Bay 27 Detroit 10

Win number one doesn't happen this week for the Lions. Bucs' Jeff Garcia has a nice day at the office, and Tampa's defense causes Detroit problems. Hopefully we see a Culpepper-to-Johnson touchdown, though.

OVERALL: (11-11)

Rough week of predictions. I had Chicago beating the Packers, and Vikes lighting up the Bucs. Can always count on the Lions, however, and they keep me from the ranks of predicting-terribleness.

Previous Rankings

Week 11 NFC North Power Rankings

Week 10 NFC North Power Rankings