NFC North Preview

Last week, the Sports Guys previewed the AFC. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the NFC, the stronger of the two conferences. We’re halfway through after covering the East and the West, so let’s go now to the NFC North.

NFC North

Division Winner: Green Bay Packers/Chicago Bears

Division Cellar: Minnesota Vikings

Other Playoff Teams: Chicago Bears – Wildcard #2 or Green Bay Packers – Wildcard #2

1. Green Bay Packers (Greg) or Chicago Bears (Andrew)

2. Chicago Bears (Greg) or Green Bay Packers (Andrew)

3. Detroit Lions

4. Minnesota Vikings

Andrew – This is another loaded division as the Bears and Packers could be among the elite teams in football. I also love the Lions potential and think Minnesota could be much improved. Minnesota is likely a few years away though as Teddy Bridgewater will need to adjust to the NFL. The Lions will improve and fight for the playoffs, but I think inconsistency dooms them in the end. That leaves the fierce rivals Green Bay and Chicago at the top. I’m biased a little, but I have faith that Coach Trestman will continue to get Cutler to reach his potential. I also think that Jay can actually stay healthy this year with improved training this past offseason. That, along with the vastly improved defense, will get them past Green Bay… I hope.

Greg – This division should come down to the same two teams that it did last year: Bears and Packers. However, if Jim Caldwell can instill some discipline in the Lions, they can challenge either team in terms of pure talent. Even the Vikings should improve if they have the guts to allow Bridgewater to play right away. If Julius Peppers returns to form for one year, the Packers defense will benefit in a huge way. In the same vein, Jared Allen, Lamar Houston, and the many other additions the Bears made in the offseason to their defense should help the unit to be at least on par with their offense (lofty expectations coming from Chicago AKA “Chiraq”). The Lions addition of Golden Tate should take some of the coverage off of Calvin Johnson, and the development of Eric Ebron could do more of the same. Teddy Bridgewater should be the starter in Minnesota. All reports out of camp are extremely positive about him. Should be a fun division to watch.

Preseason Division Awards

Offensive MVP: Jay Cutler (Chicago) or Matt Forte (Chicago) – Coach Trestman’s offense tore it up in year one as the Bears became one of the best scoring teams in the league. We believe it will happen again as Andrew thinks Cutler will lead the charge, and Greg sides with Forte. Either way, the Bears should make some noise and score some points.

Defensive MVP: Ndamukong Suh (Detroit) – Despite his antics, Suh is one of the most dominant players in the league, on either side of the ball. He straight up disrupts opponents on the line, whether it’s blowing up the running game or getting after the QB. He’ll likely rule the division again this year.

Rookies to Watch: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Green Bay), Teddy Bridgewater (Minnesota), Kyle Fuller (Chicago), Eric Ebron (Detroit)

Free Agents to Watch: Jared Allen (Chicago), Julius Peppers (Green Bay), Golden Tate (Detroit), Lamarr Houston (Chicago)

By: The Sports Guys