Chicago Bears
The NFC North saw a shift in power last season. After Green Bay and Minnesota battled it out for the previous two years, the Bears won the division outright last year. After a 10-6 campaign and a trip to the conference championship, Chicago is looking to build on last season's success. With one of the better offensive lines and linebacker corps in the league, the Bears will continue to run the ball and play great defense. The biggest question for this squad, is will they be able to take the next step and get to the big game without any big playmakers in the passing game. I say they take a step back and fall to 8-8 and miss the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota took a major step back last year. After winning 13 or more games three seasons in a row, they managed only 9 wins last year. Defense was the biggest reason for this. The talent level has really fallen off in the last couple years. That, coupled with a playoff loss to Seattle and a salary cap situation that appears to only be getting worse, forced the hand of Vikings ownership, as they pushed GM Wolf out the door. This team as to date, is still in transition, but should still remain competitive given all the offensive talent they have. 9 wins might just be enough for a division title this year.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are in a rebuild. Trading all your offensive weapons will do that. With only one impact player on defense and their best player on offense being their guard, this team will struggle to win more than 8 games this year.
Detroit Lions
Bringing up the rear in the NFC North is none other than the Lions. This is a franchise that has one winning season in the last fifteen years. Therefore the Fords hired new general manager Jley to take over the reigns. It will be a tough task ahead, but the team is headed in the right direction with the drafting of franchise QB Gilbert Brewer. However, with any team that has a rookie QB starting, they are sure to struggle. 5-6 wins would be a step in the right direction for this team.
This is Chris Mortensen with the Mort Report.
The NFC North saw a shift in power last season. After Green Bay and Minnesota battled it out for the previous two years, the Bears won the division outright last year. After a 10-6 campaign and a trip to the conference championship, Chicago is looking to build on last season's success. With one of the better offensive lines and linebacker corps in the league, the Bears will continue to run the ball and play great defense. The biggest question for this squad, is will they be able to take the next step and get to the big game without any big playmakers in the passing game. I say they take a step back and fall to 8-8 and miss the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota took a major step back last year. After winning 13 or more games three seasons in a row, they managed only 9 wins last year. Defense was the biggest reason for this. The talent level has really fallen off in the last couple years. That, coupled with a playoff loss to Seattle and a salary cap situation that appears to only be getting worse, forced the hand of Vikings ownership, as they pushed GM Wolf out the door. This team as to date, is still in transition, but should still remain competitive given all the offensive talent they have. 9 wins might just be enough for a division title this year.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are in a rebuild. Trading all your offensive weapons will do that. With only one impact player on defense and their best player on offense being their guard, this team will struggle to win more than 8 games this year.
Detroit Lions
Bringing up the rear in the NFC North is none other than the Lions. This is a franchise that has one winning season in the last fifteen years. Therefore the Fords hired new general manager Jley to take over the reigns. It will be a tough task ahead, but the team is headed in the right direction with the drafting of franchise QB Gilbert Brewer. However, with any team that has a rookie QB starting, they are sure to struggle. 5-6 wins would be a step in the right direction for this team.
This is Chris Mortensen with the Mort Report.