The NFC North has been the black and blue division of the National Football League as it has been a division that has built its reputation on punishing, smash mouth football. Things have changed recently as the division is home to some high-profile quarterbacks such as Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears, Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions, and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have won this division the past few seasons, but will they be able to
hold serve in 2013?
X-Minnesota Vikings 10-6
After a 3-13 season in 2011, the Minnesota Vikings shocked most people with a 10-6 record in 2012 and a surprising trip to the playoffs. The Vikings won’t be able to use the sneak attack in 2013, but they are equipped to contend in January.
Running back Adrian Peterson was a man among boys last year as he rushed for 2,097 yards. What made it more remarkable was that Peterson did it as he returned from an ACL injury that he suffered late in the 2011 season. Generally running backs that rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season tend to see a drop in their production the next season, but Peterson is looking to put that theory to rest.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman knows that Peterson cannot do it by himself if the Vikings are going to ultimately win a championship.Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder is entering his third season and the organization is hopeful that he can take the next step to becoming an elite NFL quarterback. The Vikings have put more players around Ponder on offense which could make that wish a reality.
Longtime Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings is now a member of the Vikings and as long as he concentrates on helping the Vikings instead of expressing his disgust for his former employer, he should be able to contribute. Rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was a speedster in college and the Vikings hope that he can bring that explosion to their offense. Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph became a Pro Bowler last season and he should benefit in the red zone from Ponder’s running ability along with the presence of Jennings and Patterson.
The Vikings defensive line will once again be potent as they will be led by defensive ends Jared Allen, Brian Robison, and Everson Griffen along with defensive tackles Kevin Williams and rookie defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd.
The Vikings will have their first two games of the season on the road as they travel to take on the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. It gives the Vikings an opportunity to start fast in the division with two road victories and solidify them as the team to beat in the NFC North.
Green Bay Packers 9-7
The Green Bay Packers have made the playoffs in the past four seasons as they have become the benchmark within the NFC North. The Packers have been carried by the golden arm of Aaron Rodgers as he has become an NFL MVP and in the process the face of the franchise. The Packers have also made the playoffs in the past two seasons with a porous offensive line and a suspect running game.
Last season the Packers were 20th in the NFL in rushing, but that should change with the additions of two rookie running backs in Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin.
With the departure of wide receiver Greg Jennings to the Vikings and the retirement of Donald Driver, more pressure will be placed on wide receivers Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and James Jones to make plays down field in the passing game.
Defensively the Packers are still missing a consistent pass rusher to offset outside linebacker Clay Matthews and they must find a way to replace the veteran leadership of former safety Charles Woodson.
If the Packers are going to make the playoffs in 2013 it will be because Rodgers had a phenomenal season in leading them there.
Chicago Bears 9-7
The Chicago Bears were good in 2012, but not good enough for longtime Bears head coach Lovie Smith to retain his job. The Bears went 10-6, but they failed to make the playoffs which signaled the end of Smith’s nine-year run in the Windy City. Bears general manager Phil Emery has replaced Smith with Marc Trestman. Trestman spent the last five years as the head coach of the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League. Trestman is an offensive minded coach who is charged with getting the most out of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.
During his four seasons with the Bears, Cutler has played behind some horrific offensive lines which has resulted in him only starting all 16 regular season games once.
Cutler will key on his main wide receiver in Brandon Marshall, but it will be important for Trestman to establish the running game with running back Matt Forte and Michael Bush.
The Bears defense is aging as defensive end Julius Peppers, outside linebacker Lance Briggs, and cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman have their better NFL days in the rear view mirror, but they still will be vital for the Bears playoff push. Longtime middle linebacker Brian Urlacher has retired and now former Denver Broncos middle linebacker D.J. Williams is trying to hold of rookie linebacker Jon Bostic to be the team’s starting middle linebacker and keep the Bears lineage going of stout middle linebackers.
The Bears have their first two games of the season at home against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Vikings which will give the home fans a bird’s eye view of the new look offense under Trestman.
Detroit Lions 6-10
The Detroit Lions were able to buck the losing trend in 2011 as they made the playoffs for the first time since 1999, but they reversed their course in 2012. The Lions lost their last eight games of 2012 to finish with a record of 4-12. Now entering his fifth season as Lions head coach, Jim Schwartz will attempt to get this team back to the playoffs or he could be on the unemployment line come January.
Last season the Lions were second in the NFL in passing as quarterback Matthew Stafford nearly surpassed the 5,000 yard mark in passing for the second consecutive season. However Detroit was 23rd overall in rushing. If the Lions are going to improve in 2013 they cannot have that big of a contrast in both categories.
In the passing game Stafford cannot just focus on wide receiver Calvin Johnson; albeit Johnson is one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the NFL. The Lions need to run the football more in 2013 by relying on a healthy running back in Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell. Running back Reggie Bush was signed as a free agent and he could give the Lions offense a change of pace as he can catch the football out of the backfield and make plays in open space.
The Lions defensive line will once again be intimidating with defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley as both possess a mean streak. Former Bears defensive end Israel Idonije will be the Lions primary pass rusher as he looks to school rookie defensive end Ezekiel Ansah on the tricks of the trade.
The Lions are still a very undisciplined football team as they had more than 100 penalties for the third consecutive season in 2012. The Lions are a team that simply lacks leadership which is what will ultimately hurt them in the wins and losses categories.
X-Clinched Division
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