LogFAQs > #937559620

NFC North

1. Minnesota Vikings
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Chicago Bears
4. Detroit Lions

Wow, the Vikings weren't messing around this offseason. They grabbed the 90+, 24-year-old starting C from the reigning SB champs in RFA, spent most of their remaining draft picks beefing up the lines, then they grabbed two of the better free agents in DT Ndamukong Suh and OT Junius Coston. Until they signed an injury replacement, they also had the third-most cap space in the NFL, but they have more than enough to make in an additional in-season move or two if need be. I think they were mad they went 11-5 with Top 10 Os and Ds and had to get in as a wild card. The question for this team isn't if they will make the playoffs but can they become the first team to knock off the Cowboys when it matters the most. They are the one team that has consistently given the Cowboys trouble during their unprecedented six year run. The Cowboys did lose quite a few starters from last season, but they will still be the conference favorites. The Vikings though unquestionably are fielding a better team this year than last. If one team is able to stop the Cowboys from making their seventh straight Super Bowl, it's this one.

The Packers lost franchise draftees OT Kevin Barry and HB Carnell Williams to retirement, then they had three holdouts that blew up what was an already sensitive financial situation. Then they had just an okay draft that wasn't financially savvy which forced them to go bargain shopping in free agency. To cap that off, they lost their two best OL for extended periods of time (one for the season). I have a hard time believing in an offense led by the trio of QB Tyrod Taylor, HB Ben Slater, and whatever WR you pick. That being said, they might be the leading candidate for a wild card spot. That defense had a down year last season, but it's full of studs. The weak link at LB has been developing quickly over the past two seasons. I think they can get back to the Top 10. I think last season's NFC Championship appearance is a very unrealistic option this season, but after the offseason they had, I'm sure a repeat playoff trip is more than acceptable.

The Bears' D flirted with being a Top 10 unit last season, and that pass D finished in the Top 5. If they can maintain something around that level of play, and the offense shows signs of life this season, they could be a dark horse wild card pick. I don't want to give Stan false hope, but after basically sitting out of the draft and free agency due to financial constraints, to field a team that I can see being a fringe playoff contender is pretty remarkable, especially the lone franchise that doesn't have a playoff spot to its name. They cannot afford injuries on the offense though as losing players at what are already thin skill positions would all but guarantee a repeat of last season.

The Lions are still at least a year away before I would consider them for a playoff spot, but this might be their most fruitful draft class they've had since S2 netted them DTs Claude Wroten and LeKevin Smith, C Greg Eslinger, and SS Greg Threat. The talent level as a whole is still extremely low. I really don't know what to expect out of their offense or defense. Neither will probably be great, but there's reason to believe at least one will be league average. Baby steps.
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KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
If you smell what the rock is cooking he's cooking crap - ertyu