My NFC North Preview

1. Green Bay Packers (1st in the NFC North in 2012, 11-5 overall). The Packers won the division in 2012 despite having a lack of a running game as with previous seasons. The Packers are always going to be a passing team with Aaron Rodgers and the weapons he has in Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randall Cobb, and Jermichael Finley. The Packers did lose some leadership in the off-season by losing Donald Driver to retirement and both Greg Jennings and Charles Woodson to free agency. So some players are gonna have step up both in the wide receiving corps. and leadership wise. I'd like to see a few young wide receivers make a spark and help Nelson, Cobb, and Jones so that Rodgers has a good 4 or 5 receiver to throw to. Unlike previous seasons, the Packers may have finally found their running game in Eddie Lacy and Johnathon Franklin. You look at the running game the last few years it's been a weakness. It seems like forever since the Packers had a 1,000 yard back. I don't know if they'll get this year it's possible but with the majority of the yards coming from Rodgers and passing game we'll see. The offensive line has switched over a bit to protect Aaron Rodgers blind side, so we should see Aaron Rodgers more upright in 2013. On defense, the Packers need to get to the quarterback more. Last year it seemed that every quarterback had forever to get the ball out. They need somebody besides Clay Matthews III to pressure the quarterback. The big weakness in the playoffs that sent the Packers packing last year early was defending the Read-Option. With the addition of draft pick Datone Jones, we should see some improvement there. Defending the Read-Option effectively will be key into getting off to a good start in 2013. They open against both the 49ers and Redskins. Both teams run that play. Inside linebacker will be interesting to look at in 2013. AJ Hawk took a pay cut for this year and Brad Jones took a raise. Both will be starting at the inside linebacker positions since the Packers let go D.J. Smith and Desmond Bishop. The Packers secondary should be effective with Sam Shields, Tramon Williams and Morgan Burnett. Another thing to watch for the Packers is how effective Mason Crosby will be in 2013. Last year was a rough year for him and if he doesn't have a good year, the Packers could be looking elsewhere there.
Prediction: 12-4 or 11-5, First Place in the NFC North.

2. Detroit Lions (Last in the NFC North in 2012, 4-12 overall) - I really like the Detroit Lions this year. Yes, they had a bad year last year, but they did add a few key additions for 2013. The big one is Reggie Bush at running back. It gives another aspect to the Lions offense. Unlike the Packers, they have a really good running back that should provide some punch offensively. Bush also could be a spark on special teams as he could return some kicks for the Lions. He also could be used as wide receiver in the Lions offense. On offense, the Lions have Matthew Stafford at quarterback and he like Aaron Rodgers has some good options at Wide Receiver and Tight End in Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Brandon Pettigrew, and Tony Scheffler. Defensively, the Lions have an OK defense with Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, and rookie Ezekiel Ansah on the line. Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy are the playmakers in the linebacking corps. Louis Delmas, Chris Houston, and Amari Speivey are key players in the secondary. They lost kicker Jason Hanson to retirement, but replaced him with veteran David Akers.
Prediction: 10-6, 2nd place in the NFC North and possible playoff berth.

3. Minnesota Vikings (2nd in the NFC North, 10-6 overall) - The Vikings made the playoffs in 2012 but mostly thanks to NFL MVP Adrian Peterson. The weakest link with the Vikings is their quarterback situation. Christian Ponder isn't the best quarterback in the league, and I don't think they make the playoffs with him at quarterback. They did sign former starter Matt Cassel in the offseason. To be completely honest, I'd rather see him start for the Vikings because he has had more success as a starter than Ponder and I think he would lead them with more success than him. No question the running game is going to give the Vikings most of the yards. Adrian Peterson is one of the best running backs in the league. The thing is getting the passing game going. They have some good weapons at receiver with former Packer Greg Jennings, Jerome Simpson, and rookie Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson should be a big player as rookie for them. The defense is still decently good. They still have pass rushers Jared Allen, Brian Robison, and Kevin Williams. Their play maker in the linebacking corps. is still Chad Greenway. They have an OK secondary with players like Harrison Smith, Greg McCoy, and Jacob Lacey. The defense is no doubt going to get some pressure on the quarterback, but the biggest thing with team is getting something out of the passing game that can help support Peterson's game.
Prediction: 6-10 or 7-9, Third Place in the NFC North



4. Chicago Bears (3rd in the NFC North, 10-6 overall) - The Chicago Bears missed the playoffs in 2012 and that ultimately led to the firing of Lovie Smith as coach and the hiring of Marc Trestman as the new head coach. The Bears have some strengths but they do have some major weaknesses. The Bears no doubt have a running game with Matt Forte. No doubt do they have some weapons in the wide receiving corps. with Brandon Marshall, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett. They did also former Cowboys tight end Marcellus Bennett to give a Cutler a weapon there too.But the biggest thing with the Bears is protecting Jay Cutler. Last year, he was on his back a lot and the constant pressure made him throw a lot of interceptions. That's the biggest thing the Bears are going to have to improve if they aren't going to be in the cellar of this division. Defensively, the Bears lost a leader to retirement in Brian Urlacher. They still have Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs anchoring the pass rush, but it's hard to replace an NFC icon in Urlacher. That will be a tough task for the Chicago Bears this year is finding somebody who play that spot. The Bears in their secondary have some good players there with Zack Bowman, Kelvin Hayden, Tim Jennings, Charles Tillman, and Major Wright. They'll be ok at those spots but the big thing on defense is replacing Urlacher. If they can protect Jay Cutler this team should better than in the cellar of the NFC North.
Prediction: 3-13 or 4-12, Last Place in the NFC North