Weather is cold here and I have the football bug, if I didn't have a calendar I would swear it was Fall (football season.)
The NFC North is a division up for grabs IMO. I could see all teams doing very well or being mediocre. The division really had an easy schedule last year thus the reason for one team to be 10 - 6 and out of the playoffs. The schedule appears to be much more difficult this year. (On Paper)
Chicago Bears - After a great start last year, they found themselves looking outside the playoff bubble. Cutler was up and down, the defense which carried the team with turnovers and scores looked old and slow by season's end. Lovie Smith was a casualty and a new regime begins.
Keys
Improved offensive line play. Keeping Cutler upright has been a need for past few seasons. They did add linemen and they did improve their protection by season's end.
Consistent QB play. Cutler has tons of talent and he knows it. He tends to be over confident with his ability and forces the ball causing way too many turnovers. I don't think Mike Tice's offensive game plan helped him much either. Low percentage pass plays.
Aging Defense. Urlacher is gone and their best defensive back Tillman is aging, does he have anything left in the tank?
New Coach. Marc Trestman has been in the league for many many years and he is from Minnesota.
Early Prediction: Finding 10 wins again is going to be very very difficult. They need to find a way to beat Green Bay at least once. It may take time for the team to adjust to the new coaching staff. The Bears defense help win a bunch of games last year with pick 6's but looked old giving up tons of rushing yards. I think the Bears fall somewhere below .500 this year.
Detroit Lions - Very disappointing season for the Motor City Kitties last year. Even though the running game improved some, Stafford did not have the same magic, turnovers did them in, and they were forced in many 3rd and longs. The offensive line did not protect well and the defense especially the back 7 were inept. Special teams was a joke giving up easy scores and great field position.
Keys - It starts with the defense. They have a very talented defensive line, adding Ansah at end could be deadly but for the most part one would expect the line to produce more sacks and pressures than it generates. The back 7 definitely need to improve.
Offensive Line - Pretty obvious, pass protection is the key, Stafford has a chance to be a big stud again.
Matt Stafford- Battled a thumb injury last year and missed open receivers. Looked like he had a case of happy feet at times do to taking some punishing hits. The addition to Reggie Bush should give him a lot more dump off opportunities with Mega Tron taking double coverage.
Early Prediction: This team scares the hell out of ya, cause they have big play ability on both sides of the ball. If Stafford can regain 2011 Magic, limits turnovers, and defense improves, then the sky could be the limit for this team. Also special teams can only improve. I see this team above .500 and fighting for the top of division.
Green Bay Packers - Had a rough early stretch after losing to the SeaHags on a terrible blown call and blowing a nice lead to the Colts but rebounded nicely pulling off a string of wins behind the arm of Mr. Rodgers, ultimately losing to the Niners in second round of playoffs.
Keys: Offensive line play, no quarterback has taken more pounding than Aaron Rodgers over the past 3 years. Green Bay was limited in a couple games last year, against Seattle and Giants (both losses) having to take 3 step drops cause the pressure was too much.
Injury Bug: The past 3 years have been catastrophic injury wise, losing many key players with season ending injuries.
Defense: They show brilliance against weak teams but when they play teams who are multiple threat they show tons of weakness especially at the linebacker position, getting Bishop back at LB is going to be a major key and Green Bay needs the first rounder Perry to be healthy and improved from last season.
Running Game: Green Bay's running game showed signs of improvement, but was that because team's let them run due to Rodgers.
Early Prediction: Of coarse Green Bay will be fighting for the top and are pre- season favorites to win the division again, with key additions in running game and getting players back, this team could find it's way to the Bowl. Although it seem like more NFL teams did more to improve this off season a 9 or 10 win season seems more likely.
Minnesota Vikings: A pleasant surprise with some ups and downs last season. They started out Hot then had a stretch of looking like the 3 - 13 team they were the year before then finding themselves to finish with 4 wins making the playoffs, much behind the legs of AP.
Even though the offensive line and young secondary has shown some improvement, this team has many question marks.
Keys : Consistent QB play from Ponder or Cassle is #1 priority, adding receivers should help and if they want to become a top notch NFC team, they need to become a double threat offensively. Aging defensive line is another concern, Allen seemed to lose a step from the previous season and is recovering from rotator cuff surgery and knee scoping. Kevin Williams also has lost a step and could not find a consistent counter part at tackle. Linebacking core has many questions and they are moving Arron Henderson to the middle.
Early Prediction: Another tough team to gauge, are they that good? Were they a product of a light schedule? Last year they were penalized very little and had tremendous special teams, yet they seem to have enough talent and added talent to be fighting for top of NFC north. Also, can't expect Super Man to have the same kind of year he had last year. I predict them to be fighting with the Pack and Detroit for top spot.
Biggest keys for division will be the health of the Green Bay Packers, Matt Stafford regaining 2011 magic, Bears defensive situation, and Vikings establishing consistent QB play. The Schedule looks much more difficult on paper this year and I do not expect any team to finish above 10 wins. Detroit and Minnesota at 5 - 1 odds for division look tempting.
Right now predicting Lions and Vikings OVER season total predictions and Green Bay / Bears UNDER
The NFC North is a division up for grabs IMO. I could see all teams doing very well or being mediocre. The division really had an easy schedule last year thus the reason for one team to be 10 - 6 and out of the playoffs. The schedule appears to be much more difficult this year. (On Paper)
Chicago Bears - After a great start last year, they found themselves looking outside the playoff bubble. Cutler was up and down, the defense which carried the team with turnovers and scores looked old and slow by season's end. Lovie Smith was a casualty and a new regime begins.
Keys
Improved offensive line play. Keeping Cutler upright has been a need for past few seasons. They did add linemen and they did improve their protection by season's end.
Consistent QB play. Cutler has tons of talent and he knows it. He tends to be over confident with his ability and forces the ball causing way too many turnovers. I don't think Mike Tice's offensive game plan helped him much either. Low percentage pass plays.
Aging Defense. Urlacher is gone and their best defensive back Tillman is aging, does he have anything left in the tank?
New Coach. Marc Trestman has been in the league for many many years and he is from Minnesota.
Early Prediction: Finding 10 wins again is going to be very very difficult. They need to find a way to beat Green Bay at least once. It may take time for the team to adjust to the new coaching staff. The Bears defense help win a bunch of games last year with pick 6's but looked old giving up tons of rushing yards. I think the Bears fall somewhere below .500 this year.
Detroit Lions - Very disappointing season for the Motor City Kitties last year. Even though the running game improved some, Stafford did not have the same magic, turnovers did them in, and they were forced in many 3rd and longs. The offensive line did not protect well and the defense especially the back 7 were inept. Special teams was a joke giving up easy scores and great field position.
Keys - It starts with the defense. They have a very talented defensive line, adding Ansah at end could be deadly but for the most part one would expect the line to produce more sacks and pressures than it generates. The back 7 definitely need to improve.
Offensive Line - Pretty obvious, pass protection is the key, Stafford has a chance to be a big stud again.
Matt Stafford- Battled a thumb injury last year and missed open receivers. Looked like he had a case of happy feet at times do to taking some punishing hits. The addition to Reggie Bush should give him a lot more dump off opportunities with Mega Tron taking double coverage.
Early Prediction: This team scares the hell out of ya, cause they have big play ability on both sides of the ball. If Stafford can regain 2011 Magic, limits turnovers, and defense improves, then the sky could be the limit for this team. Also special teams can only improve. I see this team above .500 and fighting for the top of division.
Green Bay Packers - Had a rough early stretch after losing to the SeaHags on a terrible blown call and blowing a nice lead to the Colts but rebounded nicely pulling off a string of wins behind the arm of Mr. Rodgers, ultimately losing to the Niners in second round of playoffs.
Keys: Offensive line play, no quarterback has taken more pounding than Aaron Rodgers over the past 3 years. Green Bay was limited in a couple games last year, against Seattle and Giants (both losses) having to take 3 step drops cause the pressure was too much.
Injury Bug: The past 3 years have been catastrophic injury wise, losing many key players with season ending injuries.
Defense: They show brilliance against weak teams but when they play teams who are multiple threat they show tons of weakness especially at the linebacker position, getting Bishop back at LB is going to be a major key and Green Bay needs the first rounder Perry to be healthy and improved from last season.
Running Game: Green Bay's running game showed signs of improvement, but was that because team's let them run due to Rodgers.
Early Prediction: Of coarse Green Bay will be fighting for the top and are pre- season favorites to win the division again, with key additions in running game and getting players back, this team could find it's way to the Bowl. Although it seem like more NFL teams did more to improve this off season a 9 or 10 win season seems more likely.
Minnesota Vikings: A pleasant surprise with some ups and downs last season. They started out Hot then had a stretch of looking like the 3 - 13 team they were the year before then finding themselves to finish with 4 wins making the playoffs, much behind the legs of AP.
Even though the offensive line and young secondary has shown some improvement, this team has many question marks.
Keys : Consistent QB play from Ponder or Cassle is #1 priority, adding receivers should help and if they want to become a top notch NFC team, they need to become a double threat offensively. Aging defensive line is another concern, Allen seemed to lose a step from the previous season and is recovering from rotator cuff surgery and knee scoping. Kevin Williams also has lost a step and could not find a consistent counter part at tackle. Linebacking core has many questions and they are moving Arron Henderson to the middle.
Early Prediction: Another tough team to gauge, are they that good? Were they a product of a light schedule? Last year they were penalized very little and had tremendous special teams, yet they seem to have enough talent and added talent to be fighting for top of NFC north. Also, can't expect Super Man to have the same kind of year he had last year. I predict them to be fighting with the Pack and Detroit for top spot.
Biggest keys for division will be the health of the Green Bay Packers, Matt Stafford regaining 2011 magic, Bears defensive situation, and Vikings establishing consistent QB play. The Schedule looks much more difficult on paper this year and I do not expect any team to finish above 10 wins. Detroit and Minnesota at 5 - 1 odds for division look tempting.
Right now predicting Lions and Vikings OVER season total predictions and Green Bay / Bears UNDER
