NFL
Divisional Breakdowns: NFC North
By John Janovsky, TheSportsStand.com (8/9/07)
With the NFL season fast approaching, it's time to preview the upcoming season by breaking down each team. This article will be the four of the eight part series brought to you by TheSportsStand.com. Article Four will deal with the NFC North.
1-
Chicago Bears- after coming off a brilliant 13-3 season the Bears
look to defend as champs in the NFC. After falling to the Colts in last
years Super Bowl the Bears will defiantly be in the hunt to be
contenders
next year. With some key offensive players needing to play vital roles if
the bears want to make another post season run such as: Muhsin Muhammad and
QB Rex Grossman. Another area for concern for the Bears is the running back
position after losing Thomas Jones to the Jets the Bears have will have to
rely on third year running back Cedric Benson to carry the load. Benson did
however rush for 657 yards last year on 157 carries last year with spilt
time with Jones. I do not think the Bears will have the same season this
year with a tougher schedule they will play playoff caliber teams such as
the Chargers, Cowboys, Seahawks, Broncos, Giants and the Saints. So when all
is is said and done in the 2007 season the Bears will win the North but will
finish at a respectable 11-5 record.
2-
Packers- With the Packers coming off a .500 season last year with
an 8-8 record they hope to make some dramatic improvements in the 2007
campaign. With Bret Favre career likely to end after this season the Packers
would like to send their Hall Of Fame QB out on a winning note. This might
be some what of a daunting task
due to the lack of experience at some of the more vital positions. The
defense will really need to step up this year because the Packers Offense is
not what it used to be. Favre has Donald Driver Bubba Franks on the
offensive side of the ball but the Packers will need some of their younger
player to step up in situation roles. With a semi tough schedule the packers
will make a strong postseason run make it or not it ought to be a good year
for the Packers. My prediction is they will fall short off the playoffs but
finish at a respectable 9-7.
3-
Detroit Lions- With a dismal 2006 campaign the Lions look to
improve dramatically this upcoming season. With Jon Kitna likely to be the
opening day starter the Lions will have a legitimate and experienced QB at
the
reigns. With revivers like Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson to throw to the
lions offense looks in decent shape at least to start the season. A key
concern for them is their running game or lack there of one, with Tatum Bell
and T.J Duckett likely to split time in the backfield, it may be a long year
for the Lions running game. Another key concern will be their defense, after
being last in the NFL in almost everything the Lions defense must improve in
order for this team to think .500 for this upcoming season. With tough games
against potential playoff teams such as the Eagles, Bears, Broncos, Giants
and the Cowboys the Lions will improve on last year but will finish 7-9 in
third place in the north.
4-
Minnesota Vikings – for those Vikings fan looking for a better
year than last sorry that’s going to have to wait. After a sub-par 2006
campaign the Vikings are not looking to good in 2007. With Brooks Bollinger
looking to be the opening day starter, need I say anymore? If you think that
is a problem rite now the Viking only has two wide receivers on their depth
chart. Do you think that poses a problem? I do. With absolutely no defense
this is going to be a long year
for
the Vikings. They are going to finish dead last in the North and in possibly
the whole NFL. For this year I predict they will go 2-14 if their lucky.
This is possible one of the worst constructed teams I have ever seen
entering training camp. And their schedule make matter even worse they play
a playoff caliber team just about every game starting with the Rams, Jets,
Seahawks and the Cowboys rite in a row. Then from October 14 to November 4th
they play the Bears, the cowboys again then the Eagles and the Chargers.
Think it could get worse well it dose to conclude the season they have games
against the Packers, Giants, Bears and Broncos. The term any given Sunday
still applies in the NFL but the Vikings are going to need a miracle to even
win more than 2 games this year.
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