NFC North Preview
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Prediction: 10-6 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The Minnesota Vikings was Brett Favre's preferred destination in the off-season. If he had landed there, the Vikings would be a serious Super Bowl contender. And they still will be if Tarvaris Jackson provides consistent QB play. The Vikings have one of the best offensive lines, running back duos and defensive lines in football. With the off-season acquisition of Jared Allen and Madieu Williams, the Vikings pass rush and coverage should be better in 2008. They remain one of the toughest teams to run the ball on with Kevin and Pat Williams at DT. If Bernard Berrian can stay healthy, the Vikings will have a solid set of WRs with Sidney Rice.
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Vikings allowed the fewest rushing yards (74.1 ypg) and the most passing yards (264.1 ypg) in 2007.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 141-115 (.551)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (7): at Green Bay, vs Indianapolis, at Tennessee, vs Green Bay, at Tampa Bay, at Jacksonville, vs NY Giants
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 23 wins (7.7 per season)
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Prediction: 9-7 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The Aaron Rodgers era begins in Green Bay. Rodgers replaces a beloved legend and faces immense pressure as his successor. His "get on board or shut up" quote didn't do much to endear him to fans. However, the Packers are one of the younger teams in the NFL with lots of the same talented pieces to surround Rodgers. The Packers over-achieved in 2007 with a 13-win campaign so I would have expected a dropoff in 2008 even with Brett Favre. But the circus environment and pressure that has surrounded this team will make it difficult to fight off the Vikings.
Interesting Stat/Fact: 0 - That's the number of games started by Aaron Rodgers.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 136-120 (.531)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (6): vs Dallas, at Tampa Bay, at Seattle, vs Indianapolis, at Tennessee, at Jacksonville
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 25 wins (8.3 per season)
CHICAGO BEARS
Prediction: 5-11 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The Bears made it to the Super Bowl in 2006 with the best defense in football that year. With an offense that has Kyle Orton starting at QB, rookie Matt Forte at RB and Devin Hester and Brandon Lloyd at WRs, the Bears need their defense to stay healthy and play like they did in 2006. Their defense will likely fall somewhere in between their 2006 and 2007 performance. The Bears drafted Tackle Chris Williams to help a bad OL, but he will miss most of the season due to a back injury. Will the Bears' special teams and defense win them more games than their offense loses?
Interesting Stat/Fact: Devin Hester, entering his 3rd season, already has 11 return TDs placing him 3rd all-time.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 136-120 (.531)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (6): at Indianpolis, vs Tampa Bay, vs Tennessee, at Green Bay, vs Jacksonville, vs Green Bay
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 31 wins (10.3 per season)
DETROIT LIONS
Prediction: 4-12 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: Only one team (Oakland Raiders) in the NFL has won fewer games than the Lions over the past 3 years. The Lions have one of the best WR corps in the NFL, but they have many holes, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Jon Kitna has made it his business to predict double-digit win seasons for the Lions and they started on track in 2007 with a 6-2 record. However, they fell apart down the stretch finishing 1-7 in their last 8. This team has too many weaknesses to challenge either the Vikings or Packers in 2008. On the bright side, I think Calvin Johnson will be a Top 5 WR in the league heading into 2009.
Interesting Stat/Fact: No team gave up more points (27.8 ppg) and more yards (377.6 ypg) than the Lions defense last season.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 139-117 (.543)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (6): vs Green Bay, vs Washington, vs Jacksonville, vs Tampa Bay, at Indianapolis, at Green Bay
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 15 wins (5 per season)
Prediction: 10-6 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The Minnesota Vikings was Brett Favre's preferred destination in the off-season. If he had landed there, the Vikings would be a serious Super Bowl contender. And they still will be if Tarvaris Jackson provides consistent QB play. The Vikings have one of the best offensive lines, running back duos and defensive lines in football. With the off-season acquisition of Jared Allen and Madieu Williams, the Vikings pass rush and coverage should be better in 2008. They remain one of the toughest teams to run the ball on with Kevin and Pat Williams at DT. If Bernard Berrian can stay healthy, the Vikings will have a solid set of WRs with Sidney Rice.
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Vikings allowed the fewest rushing yards (74.1 ypg) and the most passing yards (264.1 ypg) in 2007.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 141-115 (.551)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (7): at Green Bay, vs Indianapolis, at Tennessee, vs Green Bay, at Tampa Bay, at Jacksonville, vs NY Giants
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 23 wins (7.7 per season)
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Prediction: 9-7 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The Aaron Rodgers era begins in Green Bay. Rodgers replaces a beloved legend and faces immense pressure as his successor. His "get on board or shut up" quote didn't do much to endear him to fans. However, the Packers are one of the younger teams in the NFL with lots of the same talented pieces to surround Rodgers. The Packers over-achieved in 2007 with a 13-win campaign so I would have expected a dropoff in 2008 even with Brett Favre. But the circus environment and pressure that has surrounded this team will make it difficult to fight off the Vikings.
Interesting Stat/Fact: 0 - That's the number of games started by Aaron Rodgers.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 136-120 (.531)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (6): vs Dallas, at Tampa Bay, at Seattle, vs Indianapolis, at Tennessee, at Jacksonville
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 25 wins (8.3 per season)
CHICAGO BEARS
Prediction: 5-11 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The Bears made it to the Super Bowl in 2006 with the best defense in football that year. With an offense that has Kyle Orton starting at QB, rookie Matt Forte at RB and Devin Hester and Brandon Lloyd at WRs, the Bears need their defense to stay healthy and play like they did in 2006. Their defense will likely fall somewhere in between their 2006 and 2007 performance. The Bears drafted Tackle Chris Williams to help a bad OL, but he will miss most of the season due to a back injury. Will the Bears' special teams and defense win them more games than their offense loses?
Interesting Stat/Fact: Devin Hester, entering his 3rd season, already has 11 return TDs placing him 3rd all-time.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 136-120 (.531)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (6): at Indianpolis, vs Tampa Bay, vs Tennessee, at Green Bay, vs Jacksonville, vs Green Bay
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 31 wins (10.3 per season)
DETROIT LIONS
Prediction: 4-12 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: Only one team (Oakland Raiders) in the NFL has won fewer games than the Lions over the past 3 years. The Lions have one of the best WR corps in the NFL, but they have many holes, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Jon Kitna has made it his business to predict double-digit win seasons for the Lions and they started on track in 2007 with a 6-2 record. However, they fell apart down the stretch finishing 1-7 in their last 8. This team has too many weaknesses to challenge either the Vikings or Packers in 2008. On the bright side, I think Calvin Johnson will be a Top 5 WR in the league heading into 2009.
Interesting Stat/Fact: No team gave up more points (27.8 ppg) and more yards (377.6 ypg) than the Lions defense last season.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 139-117 (.543)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (6): vs Green Bay, vs Washington, vs Jacksonville, vs Tampa Bay, at Indianapolis, at Green Bay
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 15 wins (5 per season)
