NFC North Predictions

Week 1 was quite a show for the NFC North teams, a couple gave you a great performance, while the other two were rather disappointing. First off the Green Bay Packers got smoked in the Thursday night season opener, but they were going up against the Seahawks. At a final of 36-16, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers did not show much of their offensive skill that many thought they would display all year. They had a tough preseason with the news of B.J. Raji out for the season, along with their starting center Tretter. Those injuries brought question to whether or not the Packers have the strength on their lines to protect and keep the pressure on. With the young and small defensive line, the Packers did not put much heat on Wilson, letting him find Harvin and his other targets easier. If the Packers want to take this division like many have predicted, they will need to push more on defense bringing in the sacks from Mathews and Peppers. Rodgers has got his main targets Nelson and Cobb, but he will need to open up his options more and find his young receivers as well to be successful. But they had another bump in the road, as running back Lacy left the game with a concussion, he reamins questionable for week 2 against the Jets. After week 1, there is a lot of question of whether or not the Packers can achieve their high offensive numbers. Look for Green Bay to go 10-6 this season, with tough matches against the Saints, Eagles, and Patriots still on the schedule, not to mention battles with the Lions and Bears.
The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a disappointing season, but with Matt Cassel in at the QB position things are looking up as there hopefully is not a lot of QB drama like last season. With AP in the back field, every defense needs to prepare for the run game, not to mention Patterson and what he showed in week 1 with his great moves resulting in a touchdown and 102 yards in only three attempts. The Vikings brought down what was thought to be a good Rams defense in their 34-6 victory.  Though the offense looked powerful, the Vikings do need to worry about their defense this season. Defensive end Allen is no longer on the team, and though they held the Rams to six points, that is a team missing not one but now two QBs to the IR. We will see if the Vikings can keep those defensive numbers up as they are going for a tough stretch starting next week against teams with good QBs, facing the Patriots, Saints, Packers, Lions, and Falcons. I say the Vikings will go 6-10, but I give the benefit of the doubt and would not be shocked if they do better if they have a good season from AP and Patterson.

The Detroit Lions looked great on Monday night, as Stafford and Megatron showed the league they may be the best QB WR combo in the league. They connected for two touchdowns in the first half as the Lions beat the Giants 35-14. The exposed Eli Manning and his consistent mistakes we saw last season, giving the Lions control of the game. Stafford caught the eye of many teams, throwing for 346 yards and rushing for a touchdown, showing that he can be considered a QB to fear this season. The Lions problem last season was the fact they couldn't close out games. They gave up the lead multiple times in the fourth quarter, but to open the season this year, they kept the Giants quiet late in the game forcing the turnovers and shutting down the run game. The Lions have improved in many places with their pick up of Golden Tate to take the pressure and some of the coverage off Calvin Johnson. Look for the Lions to go 10-6 battling the Packers and Bears in intense division match ups. As long as they avoid injuries unlike the Packers, the Lions could shock the NFL and runaway with the NFC North.
The Chicago Bears were one of highest expected teams to win in week 1, but the Buffalo Bills got in

the way and took it in overtime. The Bears picked up some defensive players on the line and in the back, but did lose a few as well as their defense looked bad especially in the deciding run in overtime. Jake Cutler will have a make or break year, as he has had some rather disappointing seasons since joining Chicago. Word was he is one of the players considered probable to take home the MVP award this season. With great receivers, Marshall and Jeffery who have awesome hands and speed Cutler has a good chance of putting up the numbers he needs. Chicago shocked me with their loss on Sunday, giving me a little doubt in them.  Chicago has a tough match up next week in the opening of Levi Stadium in Santa Clara against the 49ers, where they currently sit expected to lose by 7 points. With a disappointing week 1 and tough week 2, I expect the Bears to go 8-8 having a hard time against New Orleans, New England, and Carolina.