Week 14 NFC North Power Rankings

After taking a week off for Thanksgiving, the weekly NFC North Power Rankings are making it's triumphant return this week. Speaking of triumphant returns, the Minnesota Vikings have made one of their own to the top of the rankings with a huge win over the Chicago Bears Sunday night.

Earlier that day, the Packers let one slip, and the Lions laid another stinker on Thanksgiving. Overall, 1-3 was all the North could muster this week.

1. Minnesota Vikings (7-5)

What a two play sequence for the Vikes Sunday night. After stopping the Bears Matt Forte on a fourth-and-goal, quarterback Gus Frerotte found Bernard Berrian for a 99-yard touchdown pass that seemingly crushed Chicago.

Could this be the sequence that the 2008 Vikings look back on and say "that's where it clicked"? Maybe, but let's not get ahead of ourselves quite yet.

Just two days after taking sole lead of the North, the Vikings were slapped with the suspensions of both Kevin and Pat Williams—the anchors of Minnesota's daunting run defense. Can Minny rebound from these two losses? That will decide the Vikings season from here on out, because Minnesota plays from hefty competition in the final stretch.

On a lighter note, Adrian Peterson has taken the sole lead of the NFL rushing crown. Every time I watch him play, he does something that impresses me more. He is such a physically punishing runner, but he has that rare combination of speed and physicality that sets the bar high for him. Look for him to finish near 1700 yards.

Vikings get the Lions next week in Detroit but don't count a W yet—Minnesota gave Detroit their closest game earlier in the year in a contest where the Lions should have won.

2. Chicago Bears (6-6)

Chicago continues to implode in big division games. Who is to blame? Most of it probably falls on Lovie Smith, but quarterback Kyle Orton was terrible in this game. In two huge division games in the past month (@ Minnesota, @ Green Bay), Orton hardly looked like a starter in the NFL.

The Bears will only go as far as Orton can carry them, and that doesn't look far.

On the flip side, Chicago has the schedule to win the division. Minnesota faces a murderous final quarter of the season, so Bears fan shouldn't panic yet. The game on the schedule to circle is the Dec. 22 tilt against the Packers that very well could decide the division.

My guess is the Vikings will only win one more game, so 9-7 could win the division based on that prediction.

In all honesty, Forte has been the savior to the Bears' season. Can you imagine where this team would be without his production? It'd be a scary season in the Windy City without this rookie from Tulane anchoring the Bears offense.

Jacksonville travels to Chicago Sunday, and with the way the Jags looked Monday night, the Bears have a good shot at getting to 7-6.

3. Green Bay Packers (5-7)

Can anyone figure this team out? I know I can't. Just two weeks ago, I was ready to crown them the North champs, and they repaid me by losing two straight. I'll give them the Saints loss, because no one was going to stop Drew Brees that night, but the Packers had to beat the Panthers.

You can't let games slip through your fingers like that and expect to make the playoffs.

Like the Bears, however, the schedule sets up nice for Green Bay to make a late run. I figure they have to win four in a row to win the division, and here is how the final four shake out: Houston, @ Jacksonville, @ Chicago, and Detroit.

The Packers haven't won more than two in a row all season and have lost seven of their last ten, but that's a favorable four games for the Pack. Let's see how the Packers play with their back against the wall, because it's do or die time in Green Bay.

Aaron Rodgers continues to impress. He had a Favre-esque interception to end the Panthers game, but he played great. Rodgers has 24 total touchdowns (20 passing, four rushing) and has four straight matchups coming up that he should be able to exploit.

I'd say he finishes the season with near 35 total touchdowns (Favre had 28 last season).

Packers get the Texans on Sunday. Houston will be coming off their first ever game and win on Monday Night Football, so this team could cause the Packers trouble.

4. Detroit Lions (0-12)

What a sad, sad sight. On their traditional Thanksgiving game, the Lions played one of their worst games of the season and got blown out of their own building. It was hard to watch this team in all aspects of the game (save Jason Hanson's kicking maybe), and their chances for winning a game are nearing zero.

What does Rod Marinelli do? He has one of the most unenviable jobs in professional sports right now, and you have to feel for the guy. He has the passion and the work ethic to be a good NFL coach, but Detroit has nothing to work with.

I really hope he gets another shot at coaching an NFL team once his tenure in Detroit is over, because his legacy shouldn't be known for this.

I'm searching for positives, but nothing is coming to mind. Daunte Culpepper is lost, the defense couldn't stop the Michigan State Spartans' offense, and they just lost their worst Thanksgiving performance ever. Hey Detroit fans, at least you don't live in Seattle.

Lions get the Vikes at home Sunday, in probably their last legitimate chance for a win in 2008.

MVP of Week 12/13: Adrian Peterson, MIN

Peterson has been great the past two weeks. After being benched temporarily for missing a meeting in Week 12, he came back and ran for 80 yards and a touchdown in a win against the Jags. He followed that performance up with a 131-yard, one-touchdown stat line in the Vikes win over the Bears Sunday.

My impression of Peterson is well-documented, so I'll stop the love fest. The guy is the real deal, but I'm sure all NFC North fans know that.

Player to Watch in Week 14: Adrian Peterson, MIN

Did I say the love fest was going to end? My mistake, because Peterson should have a monster game this Sunday against the Lions. Two-hundred yards wouldn't be out of reach, and Peterson hasn't had one of those huge games he had last year a couple of times.

Lions give up the most rushing yards in the NFL at over 176 per game, and the Vikings will counter that with the NFL's fourth best rushing attack. In a nut shell, it's a dangerous combination for the Detroit defense—but a recipe for success for Peterson and the Vikes.

Game to Watch in Week 14: Houston @ Green Bay

It's desperation time in Titletown. The Texans are coming in hot, and the Packers will need to contain Houston running back Steve Slaton. Slaton looked really good Monday night, and his speed is going to be troublesome.

Green Bay needs to play a full 60 minutes and be solid in ALL areas. Every week it's one or two areas that kills the Packers, but they can be a playoff team when they are just solid in all areas. I'm interested to see how the Packers play when they know their season is on the line.

Predictions

Minnesota 27 Detroit 7

It seems some might be tempted to pick an upset here, but there's no chance. Minnesota blows out the Lions on the backs of Peterson and Chester Taylor—both of whom could rush for over 100 yards.

Chicago 21 Jacksonville 20

I think Chicago squeaks this one out because of how bad Jacksonville has been lately. They played so uninspired Monday night—it seems they've give up on Jack Del Rio and their season. Forte does enough for the Bears to improve to 7-6.

Houston 28 Green Bay 21

You must remember that both teams are 5-7. The game might be at Lambeau, but that's irrelevant. Slaton breaks a few big runs, and Texans receiver Andre Johnson consistently moves the chains for Houston as they end Green Bay's season.

OVERALL: (14-12)

Had a 3-1 week two weeks ago, as I only picked Green Bay-New Orleans wrong. Maybe things are looking up for me as a prognosticator!

—Sorry about the Thanksgiving break. Most of you probably didn't even notice, but if there are any loyal NFC North Power Ranking readers, I am truly sorry!