NFC North Predictions

1. Chicago Bears (11-5) Head Coach, Lovie Smith has this team back on track. With a playoff run that was short lived, the “Monsters of the Midway” will be looking to improve on last year’s success. QB Rex Grossman should earn the starting spot outright in training camp over Kyle Orton and Brian Griese. With high-flying wide receivers Mushin Muhammad and Rashied Davis, the passing numbers will improve. A default by the rest of the teams in their division should put the Bears into the post season again, dominating this awful division.

2. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) – An inspiring season ending run was not enough to save Mike Tice’s job in Minneapolis. Off the field problems made the team lose its focus on the field and probably cost themselves a playoff spot. New head coach Brad Childress was brought in from Philadelphia to breathe in some new life. However, this season starts off just as bad as last year. Rookie linebacker Chad Greenway was placed on injured reserve, ending his season before it even started. Wide receiver, Koren Robinson was arrested for drunken driving. He was expected to be the team’s top pass catcher. The only thing solid about their team is their quarterback. Brad Johnson took over for an injured Daunte Culpepper and gave the team new life. This season, the wins will not come easy. With powerhouse teams (Panthers, Redskins and Seahawks) and the traditional rivalries, the team will need all the luck they can get.

3. (tie) Green Bay Packers (5-11) – New head coach, Mike McCarthy inherits a team with plenty of holes. Brett Farve is determined to leave the league on top of the heap. Maybe he should have thought about retiring with his pride in tact, because this Packer team is not going to be a Super Bowl contender. He’s coming off his worst season as a Packer, giving up 29 interceptions. RB Ahman Green will be coming back from a season ending injury, as will TE Bubba Franks. The defense has been bolstered by a few free agent signings. DB Charles Woodson will help the secondary. As for the schedule, the season starts with a traditional match up against Chicago and a relatively easy game against New Orleans at home. It’s all down hill from there as they take on a tough divisional and conference schedule. Will we see the Farve of old or current? If it’s the later, then expect another long season for the “cheeseheads” in Wisconsin.

4. (tie) Detroit Lions (5-11) – Matt Millen has nothing but himself to blame for this sorry franchise. Maybe he should have stayed in the broadcast booth, because this team is back to where they started from, in the trash heap! Newly hired head coach Rod Marinelli will have his hands full. Joey Harrington wore out his welcome in Motown and is now with Miami as did Jeff Garcia. This leaves an interesting fight for the starting spot between former Bengal Jon Kitna and former Cardinal Josh McCown. Once that’s done, they’ll need to find people to throw to. WR Roy Williams is probably the only bright spot on this offense. With that problem, scoring touchdowns on offense will be a luxury. Look for another long season for deprived Lions fans.