NFC North Preview
Chicago Bears- Another promising season ended dismally losing the division late against the Green Bay Packers. The Bears defense was much maligned thanks to key injuries to DT Henry Melton and CB Charles Tillman. They lose DE Julius Peppers but added DE Jarred Allen who looks to rejuvinate under a new regime. Offensively Jay Cutler could not stay healthy but they did get good back up play from journeyman Josh McCown and seen the emergence of WR Alshon Jeffery. The offensive line made some strides from the year before after being abysmal in 2012 and look to continue their upward climb. Keys for the Bears is to keep Cutler healthy for an entire season and hope he progresses to be a top 10 QB. Cutler is prone to the big mistake and can look awful at times despite the big arm. Defensively it's a health issue and they will need to bolster a below average run defense and get more pressure on the quarterback. The Bears have a lot of upside and need to finish a season strong. Offensively they should be able to move the ball on anybody. To win the division they must beat Detroit and Green Bay at least once each and sweep Minnesota.
I have em at 9 -7.
Detroit Lions - Talk about Jekyll and Hide, one week they look like contenders and the next they look like the Bad News Bears. This team is talented on both sides of the ball but they self destruct by mistakes and mental errors, it's either a fumble, int, or a harmful penalty that does them in. Gone is Jeff Schwartz and in comes Jim Caldwell to set the tone for a much more discipline atmosphere. Let's face it, the Lions have the most talent in the division. Limiting mistakes and they are the North favorite and I have them winning at 10 - 6.
Green Bay Packers - Last season they lost Rodgers but were still able to win the division with a 8-7-1 record. This team has been plagued by injuries much of the past 4 seasons. Clay Matthews and Rodgers going down was the forefront of injuries but they lost their starting left tackle Bulaga in training camp and previous defensive rookie of the year CB Casey Hayward for almost the entire season. Green Bay lacks consistent pass rush without blitzing and add free agent Julius Peppers, how much he has in the tank remains to be seen. I have the Packers at 9 - 7 even with a healthy Rodgers. I do not think they did enough to improve a defense who was flat out brutal last season plus the offensive line has had issues for much of 3 seasons and add the fact they start a new center in JC Tretter and you have a recipe for Rodgers to face a ton of pressure . Eddie Lacy looks to build on a successful rookie campaign as he emerged as a rookie stand out. The schedule makers did them no favors to start the season. Starting out at Seattle, then home to the Jets following back to back division road games against Chigao and Detroit could be disastrous but on the other hand could be the stepping stone to a great season. A defensive turnaround, steady O - Line Play, and keeping healthy would make the Packers Super Bowl contenders.
Minnesota Vikings - Vikings wish they could just erase the entire 2013 season except for the emergence of WR Corderrelle Patterson and CB Xavier Rhodes, two who could be stand outs. The Vikings spent another season wasted at the QB position but at least they finally have put the Ponder experiment to rest. Teddy Bridgewater probably will not start right away but his development should be #1 priority for the 2014 season. Vikes changed coaching staffs and are lead by Mike Zimmer who was able to obtain OC Norv Turner who should have Vikings offense headed in right direction. The Vikings defense was brutal last season, allowing the team to lose 5 games in final minutes or seconds. Improvements should be made by adding Linval Joseph at NT to lineup along side second year DT Shariff Flloyd, not to mention OLB Chad Greenway will be playing a lot at the middle and they get S Harrison Smith back who missed most of last season with turf toe. Even though the Vikings roster and coaching has changed they are still a little bit behind their division counterparts. They would need a big season from whoever is their quarterback and a major defensive turnaround to challenge for the division. 7 -9
Overall I think this division maybe one of the toughest in football. These teams should have real competitive games against each other as they are kind of the same. They all have explosive weapons on offense, offensive line problems, and are desperately trying to build a defense. I give the Lions the edge only because I think they have the least to improve on and the least weaknesses. I could see any of the teams winning the division with less doubt with the Vikings but it wouldn't shock me though as they have a lot of young talent, probably too young. Saying that though there is probably only one team who could compete for the Super Bowl if they were healthy and on all cylinders and that's Green Bay, Rodger an Matthews paves the way.
Chicago Bears- Another promising season ended dismally losing the division late against the Green Bay Packers. The Bears defense was much maligned thanks to key injuries to DT Henry Melton and CB Charles Tillman. They lose DE Julius Peppers but added DE Jarred Allen who looks to rejuvinate under a new regime. Offensively Jay Cutler could not stay healthy but they did get good back up play from journeyman Josh McCown and seen the emergence of WR Alshon Jeffery. The offensive line made some strides from the year before after being abysmal in 2012 and look to continue their upward climb. Keys for the Bears is to keep Cutler healthy for an entire season and hope he progresses to be a top 10 QB. Cutler is prone to the big mistake and can look awful at times despite the big arm. Defensively it's a health issue and they will need to bolster a below average run defense and get more pressure on the quarterback. The Bears have a lot of upside and need to finish a season strong. Offensively they should be able to move the ball on anybody. To win the division they must beat Detroit and Green Bay at least once each and sweep Minnesota.
I have em at 9 -7.
Detroit Lions - Talk about Jekyll and Hide, one week they look like contenders and the next they look like the Bad News Bears. This team is talented on both sides of the ball but they self destruct by mistakes and mental errors, it's either a fumble, int, or a harmful penalty that does them in. Gone is Jeff Schwartz and in comes Jim Caldwell to set the tone for a much more discipline atmosphere. Let's face it, the Lions have the most talent in the division. Limiting mistakes and they are the North favorite and I have them winning at 10 - 6.
Green Bay Packers - Last season they lost Rodgers but were still able to win the division with a 8-7-1 record. This team has been plagued by injuries much of the past 4 seasons. Clay Matthews and Rodgers going down was the forefront of injuries but they lost their starting left tackle Bulaga in training camp and previous defensive rookie of the year CB Casey Hayward for almost the entire season. Green Bay lacks consistent pass rush without blitzing and add free agent Julius Peppers, how much he has in the tank remains to be seen. I have the Packers at 9 - 7 even with a healthy Rodgers. I do not think they did enough to improve a defense who was flat out brutal last season plus the offensive line has had issues for much of 3 seasons and add the fact they start a new center in JC Tretter and you have a recipe for Rodgers to face a ton of pressure . Eddie Lacy looks to build on a successful rookie campaign as he emerged as a rookie stand out. The schedule makers did them no favors to start the season. Starting out at Seattle, then home to the Jets following back to back division road games against Chigao and Detroit could be disastrous but on the other hand could be the stepping stone to a great season. A defensive turnaround, steady O - Line Play, and keeping healthy would make the Packers Super Bowl contenders.
Minnesota Vikings - Vikings wish they could just erase the entire 2013 season except for the emergence of WR Corderrelle Patterson and CB Xavier Rhodes, two who could be stand outs. The Vikings spent another season wasted at the QB position but at least they finally have put the Ponder experiment to rest. Teddy Bridgewater probably will not start right away but his development should be #1 priority for the 2014 season. Vikes changed coaching staffs and are lead by Mike Zimmer who was able to obtain OC Norv Turner who should have Vikings offense headed in right direction. The Vikings defense was brutal last season, allowing the team to lose 5 games in final minutes or seconds. Improvements should be made by adding Linval Joseph at NT to lineup along side second year DT Shariff Flloyd, not to mention OLB Chad Greenway will be playing a lot at the middle and they get S Harrison Smith back who missed most of last season with turf toe. Even though the Vikings roster and coaching has changed they are still a little bit behind their division counterparts. They would need a big season from whoever is their quarterback and a major defensive turnaround to challenge for the division. 7 -9
Overall I think this division maybe one of the toughest in football. These teams should have real competitive games against each other as they are kind of the same. They all have explosive weapons on offense, offensive line problems, and are desperately trying to build a defense. I give the Lions the edge only because I think they have the least to improve on and the least weaknesses. I could see any of the teams winning the division with less doubt with the Vikings but it wouldn't shock me though as they have a lot of young talent, probably too young. Saying that though there is probably only one team who could compete for the Super Bowl if they were healthy and on all cylinders and that's Green Bay, Rodger an Matthews paves the way.
Last edited:
