NFC North Preview

For the NFC East preview, click here.
For the AFC East preview, click here.
For the NFC South preview, click here.
For the AFC South preview, click here.
For the NFC West preview, click here.
For the AFC West preview, click here.

It took several days but I'm finally to the one I care most about and probably the one most of my readership cares about in the NFC North. Home to my team, the local team, the team much of my extended family roots for, and Detroit. I've been looking forward to this one since I started writing these, so much so that I've all but decided what I'm going to write for most of these teams. And thrown in a few fun references and jokes for good measure.

NFC North
Common opponents on schedule: NFC West, AFC South

1. Green Bay Packers
2011 Record: 15-1, lost in NFC Divisional round

Last year's Super Bowl defense was cut prematurely short by greatest fall of a defense maybe ever in NFL history. Ted Thompson promptly took care of the major issues via the draft as he often has, so while the defense probably won't necessarily be great aside from Thor, Charles Woodson, and hopefully a healthy Tramon Williams, they can't be nearly as bad as they were last year. Either way, scoring points shouldn't be an issue again barring injury. I liked the late addition of Cedric Benson to add balance to an attack that already has the best player alive right now. Rodgers has a little bit of a Jordan gene to him in that he will take advantage of any slight, even if perceived. We'll see how he responds to last year's early exit.

2. Chicago Bears*
2011 Record: 8-8, missed playoffs

This team probably scares me the most among pretty much any of the other NFC contenders, especially given how close the Bears always seem to play the Packers. Jay Cutler finally has some weapons to throw to in being reunited with Brandon Marshall and the Bears drafting Alshon Jeffrey, while getting rid of the unintentional comedy Mike Martz brought to the team (WARNING: link contains strong language, though I think you all probably know what this is). Meanwhile that defense is still scary, with or without Urlacher, though their biggest question mark will be if the safeties can keep receivers in front of them. They're getting back to the playoffs this year though, I have no doubt.

3. Detroit Lions
2011 Record: 10-6, lost in NFC Wild Card round

Amazingly last year, Matthew Stafford was finally able to stay healthy and that helped this team reach the playoffs for the first time in a long time. It also helps that Stafford has a guy like Megatron who can catch anything regardless of whether you have him single covered, in a zone, triple covered, or with Optimus Prime guarding him. Defensively is where this team gets some question marks. They were fairly easy to pass against last year, as evidenced by Matt Flynn going insane in Week 17 against these guys, and there's always the concern like with Oakland about taking dumb penalties. I'm looking at you, Suh, you scumbag.

4. Minnesota Vikings
2011 Record: 3-13, missed playoffs

Year 2 of the Christian Ponder experience should bring a little improvement over his rookie year, and it's always a plus not to be learning from a guy who seemed to spike every pass 5 yards in front of his intended receiver. The big question will be the impact on the running game with Adrian Peterson coming off that torn ACL. On defense, they were porous last year, though if nothing else the presence of Mike Singletary had some sort of impact. This team is a far cry from what it was just a few years ago when they were one totally expected Brett Favre pick away from a possible Super Bowl berth.

We're down to one last division in the AFC North, which will come up tomorrow. But with all 4 divisions set, here's how the general NFC playoff picture looks according to me:

1. Green Bay
2. NY Giants
3. San Francisco
4. Atlanta
5. Chicago
6. New Orleans