2011 NFL Preview: NFC North
So far we have looked at the NFC South and the NFC West with Atlanta, New Orleans and St. Louis being my picks to make the playoffs. Now for preview of Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay and Minnesota and who has the best chance of winning the NFC North.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: 11-5 (in 2010)
Is 2011 finally the year that the Chicago Bears win their first Super Bowl since 1985? I don't think it will be, but the Bears should be good none the less.
Despite QB Jay Cutler throwing 16 interceptions, getting sacked a league worst 52 times, the offense ranking 28th in passing and 22nd in rushing, the Bears got all the way to the NFC Championship game. The offense did struggle at times and Cutler was even knocked out of two games, but the defense, like they usually do, led Chicago to a division title nonetheless. However, Bears fans won't settle for a second place finish in the NFC, they want the Lombardi Trophy back in the Windy City.
After leaving the NFC Championship game with a "hurt" knee, Jay Cutler will be out to prove fans that he is the right quarterback for this team in 2011 and the Bears tried to get him some help this off-season.
Chicago drafted Outland Trophy winner, Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), to improve the offensive line that was just dreadful last year, but Chicago cut ties with longtime center Olin Kreutz. Carimi will be an upgrade at tackle, but it's going to be hard to replace Kreutz and it doesn't make any sense why the Bears did not resign him. Former Cowboy RB Marion Barber was added to backup Matt Forte and another Cowboy, WR Roy Williams, will team up with Johnny Knox and Devin Hester in the receiving core.
As for the defense, linebacker Brian Urlacher will once again be leading the ever talented Chicago defense in 2011, but he will have some new teammates surrounding him, as DT Tommie Harris was released and starting safety Danieal Manning left for Houston. Everyone will be expecting another dominating performance from the Bears defense in 2011 and I believe that if Chicago is to make the playoffs, yet along the Super Bowl, it will be on the back of their defense. They did it in 2006 when they lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI and it can happen again, but Bears fans shouldn't get their hopes up.
The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers appear on the schedule twice, along with a very talented Detroit team, and that's just four games. Other dates with Atlanta, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, New Orleans and San Diego will keep the Bears from reaching the Super Bowl and maybe even the playoffs.
Detroit Lions: 6-10
After going 0-16 in 2008 and following that up with a 2-14 performance in 2009, the Lions had their best season in recent memory in 2010 by going 6-10. In 2011 not only will the Lions have a winning record, I can't believe I'm saying this, but they WILL make the playoffs.
That's right, the Detroit Lions are my sleeper pick for 2011 because of what they have done the past two years with personnel. I really think they are on the right track to finally return to winning, something that hasn't happened since Barry Sanders retired.
Their roster is just loaded with talent, WR Calvin Johnson is a freak of nature and one of the best receivers in the game. RB Jahvid Best and TE Brandon Pettigrew are rising stars and WR Titus Young (Boise State) was added in April's draft. The Lions also have a solid offensive line and the defense just keeps getting better.
The Lions have assembled, in my opinion, the best defensive line in football. Kyle Vanden Bosch, Cliff Avril, Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh. "Holy Crap." Vanden Bosch, Avril and Suh combined for 22.5 sacks last year and the Lions added last year's most dominate defensive player in college football, Nick Fairley (Auburn). It's going to be tough to run up the middle past Suh and Fairley and the Lions could possibly have one of the best overall defenses in the NFL.
With all the weapons on offense and the potential dominance of the defensive line, the ultimate key, however, to the Lions success is the health of QB Matthew Stafford. In his first two NFL seasons, Stafford has played in just 13 games due to injury. The Lions looked very good last season when Stafford played and he has the potential to be a great quarterback if he stays healthy.
The Lions will be tested by Green Bay, Chicago and Minnesota in the division along with Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, San Diego and Dallas. However, I think that if Stafford stays healthy and the defense plays like they are expected too, the Lions will have enough wins to, yes, make the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Green Bay Packers: 10-6
The Packers brought back the Lombardi Trophy to it's rightful home in 2010 and they are looking to be the first team since the 2003-04 New England Patroits to win back-to-back Super Bowls. With all the injuries the Packers sustained last season, 16 players on injured reserve, including 7 starters, they still won it all. So with many key players returning from injured reserve, one could say Green Bay will be even better in 2011.
The Packers offense put up 388 points last season and that was without TE Jermichael Finley and RB Ryan Grant for most of the season. Finley and Grant will be back in 2011 along with Super Bowl MVP B Aaron Rodgers. WR's Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and second round pick Randall Cobb (Kentucky) will also suiting up for the Packers on one of the leagues most potent offenses.
There will also be some changes on the Packers defense in 2011. Longtime signal caller LB Nick Barnett was released and DE Cullen Jenkins left for Philadelphia. The loss of Jenkins will hurt the defensive line and the pass rush, but Green Bay should be alright. LB Clay Matthews emerged as star last season and was one of the main keys to the Packers winning the Super Bowl. Along with Matthews, LB A.J. Hawk, DT B.J. Raji, CB Tramon Williams and Pro Bowl CB Charles Woodson return to lead a defense that was 5th best at stopping the pass last season.
So many stars are back and healthy in Titletown and even if the Packers get hit with the injury bug once again, because injuries do happen, they will still make another run at the Super Bowl. Although, Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota in the division combined with games against New Orleans, Atlanta, San Diego, New York Giants and Tampa Bay will have the Packers battle tested.
It's never easy winning the Super Bowl, let along in back-to-back years, but the Packers could find themselves in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI.
Minnesota Vikings: 6-10
2010 was a very disappointing season for the Vikings and now that QB Brett Favre has retired, again, the Vikings will turn to QB Donovon McNabb to get them back to the playoffs in 2011.
Minnesota has turned the page on the quarterback situation by trading for Donovon McNabb and drafting Christian Ponder (Florida State) in the first round of the draft. McNabb will start while the rookie Ponder stands on the sideline and learns the ropes in his rookie season. McNabb will be an upgrade at quarterback, but the Vikings lost some major talent in the off-season.
The Vikings had to beg Favre to come back last year and they're probably wishing that they hadn't. The 41-year old Favre threw only 11 TD and 19 interceptions in limited playing time due to numerous injuries in 2010. Favre was nothing but a liability last year and whether he is really done playing football, we may never know, but one thing is for sure, Brett Favre will not be playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2011.
Other notable departures include QB Tarvaris Jackson and WR Sidney Rice who left for Seattle and DE Ray Edwards leaving for Atlanta. Jackson won't be missed, but Rice, although hurt most of last year, was the Vikings best receiver. Minnesota did sign former Falcon WR Michael Jenkins and drafted TE Kyle Rudolph (Notre Dame, Elder), but they will not make up for the lost of Rice. Edwards was second on the team, behind Jared Allen in sacks last year with 8, and there is no one on the roster that can replace him right away.
Lesile Frazier, who was named the interim coach after the firing of Brad Childress midway through last season, was given the job full time in the off-season and he will have his hands full. It's always nice having RB Adrian Peterson in the backfield, but McNabb isn't the player he once was and then there's the schedule. Green Bay, Detroit and Chicago twice in the division, plus San Diego, Tampa Bay, Atlanta and New Orleans will have the Vikings watching the playoffs from home for the second straight season.
Predicted Standings
Winning the NFC North will be a dogfight and who else, but the defending Super Bowl champions to come out on top. Green Bay is just too talented to not win the division, although the Lions will give them a run for their money. I really think the Lions can clinch a wild card spot if Stafford stays healthy, which means Chicago and Minnesota will miss the playoffs with two teams already getting in from the NFC South.
Predicted 2011 NFC North Standings:
Green Bay: 13-3
Detroit: 10-6
Chicago: 9-7
Minnesota: 6-10
Up next we will finish off the NFC with a look at the toughest division in football, the NFC East.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: 11-5 (in 2010)
Is 2011 finally the year that the Chicago Bears win their first Super Bowl since 1985? I don't think it will be, but the Bears should be good none the less.
 |
| Jay Culter spent more time in 2010 trying to avoid the pressure than he did throwing the football. |
After leaving the NFC Championship game with a "hurt" knee, Jay Cutler will be out to prove fans that he is the right quarterback for this team in 2011 and the Bears tried to get him some help this off-season.
Chicago drafted Outland Trophy winner, Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), to improve the offensive line that was just dreadful last year, but Chicago cut ties with longtime center Olin Kreutz. Carimi will be an upgrade at tackle, but it's going to be hard to replace Kreutz and it doesn't make any sense why the Bears did not resign him. Former Cowboy RB Marion Barber was added to backup Matt Forte and another Cowboy, WR Roy Williams, will team up with Johnny Knox and Devin Hester in the receiving core.
As for the defense, linebacker Brian Urlacher will once again be leading the ever talented Chicago defense in 2011, but he will have some new teammates surrounding him, as DT Tommie Harris was released and starting safety Danieal Manning left for Houston. Everyone will be expecting another dominating performance from the Bears defense in 2011 and I believe that if Chicago is to make the playoffs, yet along the Super Bowl, it will be on the back of their defense. They did it in 2006 when they lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI and it can happen again, but Bears fans shouldn't get their hopes up.
The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers appear on the schedule twice, along with a very talented Detroit team, and that's just four games. Other dates with Atlanta, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, New Orleans and San Diego will keep the Bears from reaching the Super Bowl and maybe even the playoffs.
Detroit Lions: 6-10
After going 0-16 in 2008 and following that up with a 2-14 performance in 2009, the Lions had their best season in recent memory in 2010 by going 6-10. In 2011 not only will the Lions have a winning record, I can't believe I'm saying this, but they WILL make the playoffs.
That's right, the Detroit Lions are my sleeper pick for 2011 because of what they have done the past two years with personnel. I really think they are on the right track to finally return to winning, something that hasn't happened since Barry Sanders retired.
Their roster is just loaded with talent, WR Calvin Johnson is a freak of nature and one of the best receivers in the game. RB Jahvid Best and TE Brandon Pettigrew are rising stars and WR Titus Young (Boise State) was added in April's draft. The Lions also have a solid offensive line and the defense just keeps getting better.
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| Ndamukong Suh is quickly becoming one of the most dominating defensive players in the NFL. (J. Meric/Getty Images) |
The Lions will be tested by Green Bay, Chicago and Minnesota in the division along with Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, San Diego and Dallas. However, I think that if Stafford stays healthy and the defense plays like they are expected too, the Lions will have enough wins to, yes, make the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Green Bay Packers: 10-6
The Packers brought back the Lombardi Trophy to it's rightful home in 2010 and they are looking to be the first team since the 2003-04 New England Patroits to win back-to-back Super Bowls. With all the injuries the Packers sustained last season, 16 players on injured reserve, including 7 starters, they still won it all. So with many key players returning from injured reserve, one could say Green Bay will be even better in 2011.
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main reasons why Green Bay won Super Bowl XLV last season. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) |
There will also be some changes on the Packers defense in 2011. Longtime signal caller LB Nick Barnett was released and DE Cullen Jenkins left for Philadelphia. The loss of Jenkins will hurt the defensive line and the pass rush, but Green Bay should be alright. LB Clay Matthews emerged as star last season and was one of the main keys to the Packers winning the Super Bowl. Along with Matthews, LB A.J. Hawk, DT B.J. Raji, CB Tramon Williams and Pro Bowl CB Charles Woodson return to lead a defense that was 5th best at stopping the pass last season.
So many stars are back and healthy in Titletown and even if the Packers get hit with the injury bug once again, because injuries do happen, they will still make another run at the Super Bowl. Although, Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota in the division combined with games against New Orleans, Atlanta, San Diego, New York Giants and Tampa Bay will have the Packers battle tested.
It's never easy winning the Super Bowl, let along in back-to-back years, but the Packers could find themselves in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI.
Minnesota Vikings: 6-10
2010 was a very disappointing season for the Vikings and now that QB Brett Favre has retired, again, the Vikings will turn to QB Donovon McNabb to get them back to the playoffs in 2011.
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| Donovon McNabb will be taking over the quarterback vacancy left by Brett Favre in Minnesota. (AP Photo) |
The Vikings had to beg Favre to come back last year and they're probably wishing that they hadn't. The 41-year old Favre threw only 11 TD and 19 interceptions in limited playing time due to numerous injuries in 2010. Favre was nothing but a liability last year and whether he is really done playing football, we may never know, but one thing is for sure, Brett Favre will not be playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2011.
Other notable departures include QB Tarvaris Jackson and WR Sidney Rice who left for Seattle and DE Ray Edwards leaving for Atlanta. Jackson won't be missed, but Rice, although hurt most of last year, was the Vikings best receiver. Minnesota did sign former Falcon WR Michael Jenkins and drafted TE Kyle Rudolph (Notre Dame, Elder), but they will not make up for the lost of Rice. Edwards was second on the team, behind Jared Allen in sacks last year with 8, and there is no one on the roster that can replace him right away.
Lesile Frazier, who was named the interim coach after the firing of Brad Childress midway through last season, was given the job full time in the off-season and he will have his hands full. It's always nice having RB Adrian Peterson in the backfield, but McNabb isn't the player he once was and then there's the schedule. Green Bay, Detroit and Chicago twice in the division, plus San Diego, Tampa Bay, Atlanta and New Orleans will have the Vikings watching the playoffs from home for the second straight season.
Predicted Standings
Winning the NFC North will be a dogfight and who else, but the defending Super Bowl champions to come out on top. Green Bay is just too talented to not win the division, although the Lions will give them a run for their money. I really think the Lions can clinch a wild card spot if Stafford stays healthy, which means Chicago and Minnesota will miss the playoffs with two teams already getting in from the NFC South.
Predicted 2011 NFC North Standings:
Green Bay: 13-3
Detroit: 10-6
Chicago: 9-7
Minnesota: 6-10
Up next we will finish off the NFC with a look at the toughest division in football, the NFC East.
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