2013 NFC North Predictions

1. Green Bay Packers
The Packers under-performed last year. Yes, they made the playoffs, but they didn't win the division. And they got knocked out by the 49ers. The offense's production fell off and the defense couldn't make a stop when they needed to. Letting San Fran put up 45 points is not good. They haven't had too much player movement, besides the departures of S Woodson, WR Jennings and C Saturday (who was injured much of last season anyway.) However, they also don't have any notable pick ups. The only things this team needs to do is perform up to expectations. But that is easier said than done.

2. Detroit Lions
I put the Lions here last year and they disappointed me. But I've liked what I've seen from them so far in the preseason and have high hopes for them this year. This is another team in the division that far under-performed compared to the level of talent on their roster. Stafford, Johnson and the new addition of Reggie Bush should be a lethal combination. Should be. The defense must improve. The addition of S Quin from Houston should help as well as building through the draft with CB Slay. The Lions lost many games last year either on the final drive or by 7 points or less. If they can find some discipline they can take the league by storm again. Otherwise Schwartz's job might be in question.

3. Minnesota Vikings
It is tough to downplay any team with Adrian Peterson on it. But Christian Ponder has only shown flashes of brilliance and must improve if this team is to have long term success. Losing WR Harvin is a blow, but picking up WR Jennings should give them more stability and less injuries to the position. I just don't think that the Vikings have the ability to compete with the other teams in their division, let alone in the league. They may make playoffs again, though I am doubtful. Defense must improve especially against the pass, which hurt them significantly last year. Lesile Frazier is a defensively minded head coach and he needs to show it.

4. Chicago Bears
The Bears had 10 wins last year, but didn't make playoffs and the result was the firing of their head coach. Now there's a new man in tow, Marc Trestman, from the Canadian football league. I'm not sure if he's prepared for the speed and competition at the NFL level. Cutler has improved and Brandon Marshall has settled down and become a reliable receiver. The offensive line must improve and keep Culter on his feet. Blocking for Matt Forte is also incredibly important, as he can be their strongest offensive weapon. The defense ranked highly last year (5th in the NFL), but it will be interesting to see how they perform without the leadership of LB Brain Urlacher, who left discontented with the team and management. Though he may have been aging, there is no replacement for the leadership. 

Thursday Night Football (early in the season!)

I'm not sure how they managed to wing Thursday night football this early in the season. I'm not a huge fan of Thursday Night football for a few reasons. 1. It's a school night and as a college student I do actually have homework to do. 2. It can only be seen on NFL network, a network I don't get at school and many people don't get in their homes.  3. A game like Packers/Bears is a game that most hardcore football fans would like to see and by limiting it the NFL is doing the fans a disservice.

All of that being said, I do think the Packers will bounce back and win tonight. They had a tougher test in Week 1 than the Bears did and are unlikely to lose two games at home.

Bears (1-0) vs. Packers (0-1)
Pick: Packers

NFC North Predictions

Green Bay Packers
How can anyone not have the Packers once again leading this division? We all know about the fire powered offense that almost no one could contain last year. All the main pieces are back, supplemented by the new additions of Jeff Saturday (C) and Cedric Benson (RB). What sunk this team last year was a defense that was in the bottom of the league. However, Tramon Williams is back from injury and they added another strong LB in Nick Perry in the draft to take some pressure off of Clay Matthews. They won’t be a top defense in the league, but they will be better.

Detroit Lions
Hey remember that year Matthew Stafford threw for 5,000 yards and didn’t make the Pro Bowl? Oh yeah that was last year. The league will not ignore Matthew Stafford this year. In his first fully healthy year, he proved why he deserved to be a number one overall pick. With Calvin Johnson to throw to, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be just as productive this year. Look for rookie Mikel Leshoure to possibly help a depleted running game here as well. But as the Packers, what killed this unit last year was the defense. The secondary couldn’t stop anyone. Anyone. Ever. I’m not sure the problem has been solved either. The release of Aaron Berry hurt this unit. We’ll have to see if Bill Benthley, the new rookie CB can help.

Chicago Bears
The Bears finally realized that they had no actual wide receivers. No Devin Hester, you don’t count. So they went out and got Brandon Marshall and drafted Alshon Jeffery. Marshall and Cutler appear to be glad to be back together once again and will help this offense generate more big plays and take some pressure off Matt Forte, who got paid this offseason. The offensive line must product Jay Cutler, though there is no front runner at left tackle. The defense is always pretty good, though hasn’t been notable in the last few years. An injury to Brain Urlacher is a concern, though he claims he’ll be back for the opener against Indy. Look for improvement, but there’s no way they can keep up with the Lions and the Packers. They might sneak into the playoffs as a wild card however.

Minnesota Vikings
Vikings fans, there’s a lot that needs fixing here. Christain Ponder will improve in his second year, there is no doubt of that. It is his first year as the outright starter and all reports from training camp say that he has more confidence and poise, not to mention a greater knowledge of the offense. It helps that Adrian Peterson is back from his torn ACL/MCL and will be in the back field to help him. The addition of Jerome Simpson, best known for his leap in Week 16 last year, will help his awkward receiving core. The defense has been mediocre, middle of the pack, with the exception of Jared Allen who is one of the best defensive players in the league. Still, this division is too high powered for Minnesota to have a chance.