NFC North Preview
By Marc Lawrence
Life is a struggle during these troubled times in the Motor City.
It’s sad when the biggest selling souvenir on Sundays at Ford Field during the football season these days is a paper bag. That’s because the Lions’ football team is deeper in the tank than the auto industry.
It’s nothing that renewed fan support and a few wins can’t fix. The same holds true for life and times in Chicago, Green Bay and Minneapolis where life in the bitter cold NFC NORTH DIVISION is froze on hold, awaiting a shot in the arm anytime soon.
NFC NORTH
CHICAGO
Team Theme – CUTTING EDGE
Two years removed from losing SBXLI, the Bears will take the field in 2009 with renewed hope. It comes in the person of Jay Cutler, the Pro Bowl QB who fell into Chicago’s lap courtesy of a love affair gone-bad in Denver. Although Cutler won just half of his games at Denver, he possesses tremendous physical skills and will be a QB on a mission in 2009. It doesn’t hurt that the Bears have the league’s softest schedule, facing opponents with a combined win percentage of just .414 last season. A strong draft bolstered an already staunch rush defense. As a result, head coach Lovie Smith is all smiles. However, in order to get back to 2006 form, the Bears will need to begin outstatting opponents on the playing field, where they are 9-23 ‘In The Stats’ since the 2006 Super Bowl.
PLAY AGAINST: as a favorite vs. Minnesota (12/28)
DETROIT
Team Theme – MOTOWN TRANSFUSION
These are tough times in Detroit. The mayor was jailed, the auto industry is crumbling and the Lions are the latest inductee into the NFL Hall of Shame. A disgraceful 0-16 season last year signaled a new era in Motown. Some say it was simply a bad case of the MMMM’s, with GM Mike Millen (31-84), and coaches Rod Marinelli (10-38), Steve Mariucci (17-31) and Marty Mornhinweg (12-20), being the main culprits. New head coach Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator with the Titans the last eight years, arrives looking to pump new blood into a team on life-support. Like so many other new coaches on the NFL scene these days, Schwartz was also an assistant with Bill Belichick in Cleveland. Like General Norman Schwarzkopf, who lead our troops in Saudia Arabia in 1986, let’s hope Schwartz comes with a defibrillator. This team needs wins like a heart needs beats.
PLAY ON: as a home dog vs. Green Bay (11/26)
GREEN BAY
Team Theme – MORE CHEESE PLEASE
Like a racehorse who predictably bounces off a big effort, the Packers found that life without Brett Favre is like macaroni without the cheese –the taste just isn’t the same. A precipitous drop from 14 wins in 2007, to 6 last season, confirms the notion. Fortunately for Green Bay, it resides in one of the league’s weakest divisions where there is no clear-cut choice as a “team to beat” in 2009. This year’s schedule finds the Packers taking on teams that finished the 2008 campaign with an accumulative .428 win-percentage, the third-softest in the league. Despite a disappointing 6-10 record as a starter in his first season as Favre’s replacement, QB Aaron Rodgers put up strong numbers when he tossed for more than 4000 yards and 28 TD’s. Like a cheese soufflé, Rodgers helped himself well while warming up in the oven and appears ready for stardom. If new DC Dom Capers’ 3-4 defense takes hold, the Pack should be back in 2009.
PLAY ON: vs. Tampa Bay (11/8)
MINNESOTA
Team Theme – RUN FOR THE SOUL
There is an axiom in the NFL that is consistently good as grandma’s chicken soup. Namely… you run the ball and you stop the run, you win the game. It’s just that simple. It’s precisely why Minnesota’s win totals continue to climb under head coach Brad Childress. Adrian Peterson, the top running back in the NFL, keeps the Vikings in every game they play. That’s why they are 14-6 the last twenty games when they outrush an opponent. Having a rush defense that refuses to yield (Minny allows less than 71 RYPG under Childress) does the same. Childress realizes he is going to need better production from the quarterback position if his team is going to be taken seriously. To that extent, new QB Sage Rosenfels is an upgrade over Tavaris Jackson, but he’s certainly not a savior. In a division that is up for grabs, look for the Vikes to outrun the opposition to the finish line.
PLAY AGAINST: vs. NY Giants (1/3) - *KEY as a favorite
NFC North Betting Preview
By David Chan.
For the second straight year, the burning pre-season NFL question comes from the NFC North. Sports media outlets nationwide are leaning with bended ear in the direction of Hattiesburg, Miss., waiting for quarterback Brett Favre’s answer to the $13 million question - Will he return to the Minnesota Vikings this season?
The $13 million, according to reports, is what Favre will earn if he plays this season and it’s likely he won’t pass that up. The Favre-led Vikings will be the team to beat again in the NFC North with the potential to get back to the NFC championship game.
Green Bay, also loaded with talent, will be on the heels of Minnesota all season and has realistic aspirations to get to the Super Bowl. The Packers could be one key Viking injury away from replacing Minnesota as division champions.
Despite offseason improvements by the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, both teams are likely at least a season away from making a push for the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings
Projected win total: 9.5
Prediction: Over
What’s new: The Vikings improved its defense by drafting cornerback Chris Cook (Virginia) and adding cornerback Lito Sheppard (Jets) along with DE Everson Griffen (USC). Backup running back Chester Taylor has gone to the Bears but the addition of Ryan Moats from the Houston Texans should provide adequate help for Adrian Peterson. Offensive lineman Artis Hocks (Redskins) will be missed.
What’s the same: The Vikings excelled on both sides of the ball last season and should do so again. Favre was impressive last season, throwing for 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. A big reason for his success was the receiving depth led by receivers Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe.
Peterson, who is rumored to be unhappy with his contract, is one of the league’s top three backs. Linemen Jared Allen, Pat Williams, Ray Edwards, Kevin Williams and Antoine Winfield lead the defense. Linebacker E.J. Henderson continues to rehab from a broken leg and cornerback Cedric Griffin is recovering from a knee injury. Jasper Brinkley is Henderson’s backup and Sheppard could start for Griffin.
Key stat to remember: There has never been a quarterback older than 37 start in a Super Bowl. Brett Favre turns 41 in October.
Green Bay Packers
Projected win total: 9.5
Prediction: Over
What’s new: The Packers made a move to improve their dreadful offensive line (50 sacks allowed last season), by drafting tackle Bryan Bulaga (Iowa). The defense was also improved with the additions of defensive end Mike Neal (Purdue) and safety Morgan Burnett (Georgia Tech).
Burnett was a standout in the ACC and had 14 interceptions at Georgia Tech. He should make an immediate impact in the secondary. Depth was a problem at running back last season and James Starks (Buffalo) should help improve that area.
One loss is veteran defensive end Johnny Jolly who is suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the NFL policy on substances abuse. He is eligible for reinstatement after Super Bowl XLV. B.J. Raji will likely fill in with potential contributions from Justin Harrell or Neal, although Harrell has been plagued with injuries.
What’s the same: The Packers will be solid as long as quarterback Aaron Rodgers stays healthy. Backup QB Matt Flynn isn’t going to lead the Packers to the Super Bowl this season if Rodgers is sidelined. The offensive line should be improved with a bit more depth than last season led by veteran tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, guards Daryn Colledge and Josh Sitton, center Scott Wells and center/guard Jason Spitz.
Bulaga, T.J. Lang and Allen Barbre are the likely top reserves. Receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver certainly provide a tough 1-2 punch in the secondary as both had over 1,000 yards receiving last season. But watch for tight end Jermichael Finley to have even a bigger impact than he did in 2009 when he caught 55 passes for 676 yards and five TDs.
The defense is solid led by linebacker Clay Matthews who led the team with 10 sacks as a rookie last season. The defensive secondary has veteran cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris (coming off knee surgery) and safeties Nick Collins (six interceptions last season) and Atari Bigby.
Key stat to remember: No team was a better bet in the second half of last year. The Packers went 7-0-1 against the spread in their final eight regular season games.
Chicago Bears
Projected win total: 8
Prediction: Under
What’s new: Mike Martz was hired as the new offensive coordinator to jumpstart that side of the ball and get quarterback Jay Cutler to revert to his Denver form. The problem with improving/opening up the passing game is the eight or nine players who will likely be thrown to by Cutler aren’t anything close to the caliber of a Brandon Marshall.
The biggest on-field acquisition was signing former Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers. Also helping the defense will be safeties Chris Harris (Panthers) and Major Wright (Florida) and cornerback Tim Jennings (Colts).
Third-round draft pick Wright is versatile and quick and should make an immediate impact. Tight end Brandon Manumaleuna (Chargers) will be a solid backup to Greg Olsen. Among the key losses are defensive ends Alex Brown (Saints) and Adewale Ogunleye (free agent) and linebacker Jamar Williams (Panthers). Rod Marinelli was promoted to defensive coordinator.
What’s the same: The return of defensive catalyst Brian Urlacher provides a huge upgrade on that side of the ball. He missed most of last season with a wrist injury and the Bears “D” was not the same. Zack Bowman and Charles Tillman return at cornerback.
Receiving options for Cutler include wideouts Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Rashied Davis, Juaquin Iglesias and Earl Bennett, backs Matt Forte and Chester Taylor and tight end Greg Olsen. The question is how long will it take for Cutler and his receiving options to all get on the same page with Martz’s quick-paced passing schemes.
Key stat to remember: The Bears went 6-3 ATS in games where Cutler threw one or less interceptions.
Detroit Lions
Projected win total: 5
Prediction: Under
What’s new: The Lions were busy in the offseason upgrading both sides of the ball but are still likely a season away from being at least a .500 club. The best upgrades were on defensive with the drafting of tackle Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska and the acquisition of defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (Titans).
Other improvements include defensive tackle Corey Williams (Browns) and cornerbacks Chris Houston (Falcons) and Dre’ Bly, who returns to Detroit after playing for the 49ers last season.
Key additions to the offense are running back Jahvid Best (California), tight end Tony Scheffler (Broncos), guard Rob Sims, receiver Nate Burleson(Seahawks) and quarterback Shaun Hill (49ers). Drafting tackle Jason Fox (Miami) upgrades the offensive line. The speedy Best will make an immediate impact with his added ability to catch the ball.
What’s the same: Talented quarterback Matthew Stafford had the usual rookie growing pains in 2009 with 20 interceptions in 10 games of action.Running back Kevin Smith and tight end Brandon Pettigrew are coming off knee surgeries. Pettigrew and Scheffler give the Lions two quality tight ends. Smith still isn’t 100 percent but that will give Best an opportunity to showcase his breakaway speed early and often. Even if Smith is healthy, he’ll still be challenged for the No. 1 spot by Best.
Calvin Johnson is a solid receiver who was covered like a blanket by defenses in 2009. Burleson should take some of that pressure off.
Key stat to remember: The Lions allowed a league-high 494 points and finished with the worst turnover margin (-18) last season.
NFC North Preview
By: Sean Higgs
Green Bay Packers – The Pack posted 11 wins in 2009 and should hit that number again in 2010. Led by QB Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are poised to take a big leap. Green Bay has a solid foundation with young talent and a couple savvy vets for a great mix of talent. The offense is spearheaded by Rodgers and his 4400 yards to go with 30 TD and just 7 INTs. RB Ryan Grant is a 1200 yard rusher and WRs Greg Jennings and Donald Driver both eclipsed 1000 yards receiving. Defensive MVP Charles Woodson leads a strong secondary. LB Clay Matthews will look to build off a rookie season where he led the team with 10 sacks.
Minnesota Vikings – The Brett Favre saga continues. The guy is 40. I know they should have been in the Super Bowl cause Sir Brett gifted the Saints the win, but come on. This team is a sack away from having Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels leading them. WRs Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin emerged with the arrival of Brett Favre. They still have RB Adrian Peterson who put up 1383 yards and 18 TDs. The defense is solid led by the two monsters in the middle Pat and Kevin Williams. It comes down to the Brett show. This team is a Super Bowl contender or just another team.
Chicago Bears – The ‘hot seat’ will be turned up to charbroil for Lovie Smith this year. Last year they traded for QB Jay Cutler who only led the league with 27 picks. This offseason they made a huge splash again by getting DE Julius Peppers. The defense should be solid with one of the top LB units and and Peppers bringing heat to opposing QBs. RB Chester Taylor comes over from the Vikings to bolster the run game, but with new OC Mike Martz bringing his ‘Air Coryell’ routine to the Windy City, it remains to be seen how Taylor teams with Forte in the backfield.
Detroit Lions - Things can only get brighter in Motown. Coming off a 2-14 year, the Lions landed DT Ndamukong Suh and RB Jahvid Best with their first 2 picks in the draft. QB Matt Stafford will take his lumps but will build off his rookie year. The defense is still porous even after bringing in DEs Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams plus CB Chris Houston. DC Gunther Cunningham has the makings of a solid line and should have an improved pass rush. Detroit, based on sheer luck, should win more than 2 games this year.