2007 NFC North Picks & Predictions
May 21, 2008
Here are my 2007 NFC North Predictions. It appears that the black and blue division will get all of its bumps and bruises from the Chicago Bears again in ‘07.
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Chicago Bears- NFC North Prediction- 1st Place (12-4)
The Bears have won consecutive NFC North Division titles and captured an NFC Conference Championship in 2006. I was big on the Bears last year and if you read my 2007 NFL Predictions, you’ll find that I’m big on them again this season. The prospect of Lance Briggs holding out doesn’t scare me off a bit as any talented linebacker playing next the Brian Urlacher is going to look like an All-Pro because of how much attention Urlacher garners. The offense gets a hole lot tougher with Cedric Benson getting the bulk of the carries in the backfield now that Thomas Jones is off to New York. His smash mouth running style really got the Bears going in the second have of the season. He gives the Bears the option of grinding it out and winning like Baltimore did last season-playing defense and controlling the football. Grossman will be even better. He has a great long ball and will make better decisions this season. Special teams is the X-factor. No team does it better than Chicago.
Green Bay Packers- 2nd Place (8-8)
After finishing just 4-12 in 2004-05, the Packers finished the 2006-07 season on a four-game tear and missed the playoffs on a tie-breaking technicality. Brett Favre was better last season because the young talent around him got better. This year’s projected 8-8 mark might just get the green and gold back in the postseason. Last season, Brett and the boys managed the eighth best passing attack in the NFL. With another year of experience under its belt, the offensive line should help improve Green Bay’s 23rd-ranked rushing game in 2007. Get ready to hear plenty of Favre to Driver again this season. The defense is solid, but not spectacular. If the Bears are an “A” grade, Green Bay probably borders on “C+/B-”. Since Green Bay is taking a build from within approach, that seems more synonymous with Major League Baseball than the NFL, we can’t expect a major turnaround. Another average eight win season appears to be Green Bay’s destiny. If they can get on top of that number, nine wins likely gets them in the playoffs.
Detroit Lions- 3rd Place (6-10)
The Lions experienced their 6th straight season with double digit losses last year finishing 3-13 which was actually their worst record since 2002. But somehow I feel like the Lions are moving in the right direction. I don’t think they can avoid another double digit losing season, but they will be better in 2007. The key to Detroit’s success is offensive coordinator Mike Martz and how well he is able to utilize Detroit’s talented offensive specialists with his play calling. As much as I wanted to kill Martz sometimes for running pointless reverses for 20-yard losses when he was with the Rams, I do feel that he is the right fit for this offense and can make the Lions a threat to many defenses across the NFL. When Detroit can get better than a John Kitna to throw to their talented receiving core, they will start to make major strides. Passing up Brady Quinn might be something the Lions kick themselves about in 2007.
Minnesota Vikings- 4th Place (5-11)
Vikes fans have been cringing and saying yikes for most of the last five years as they have not had a double digit winning season during that time span. Minnesota is flat out hurting at the Quarterback position. Whether Tavaris Jackson or Brooks Bollinger, Vikings fans will be losing their voices over the mistakes these guys make this season. It appears the Vikings are going to have to try to win some more games by running the football and playing defense which means that it’s offensive numbers, which were among the worst in the NFL last season, won’t be showing much improvement. Minnesota ranked 23rd in total yardage, 26th in scoring, 26th in first downs, and 28th in third-down efficiency. Much as Reggie Bush was looked upon as the savior down in New Orleans last season, top draft choice Adrian Peterson will be looked upon the same way by the Vikes. The difference is that Peterson does not have a Drew Brees to take any heat off of him. He does have a solid offensive line to open some holes for him though. Hopefully, an abundance of carries does not turn into another injury for this runner with star potential.
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