NFC North Predictions 2008
July 25, 2008
The NFC North always seems to be a division where any team can come out on top. This year will be no different as pretty much every team in the division has a legitimate shot at claiming first place. It will be interesting to see how things pan out. Let’s a look at all the teams and there odds to win the NFC North:
Minnesota Vikings (Odds to Win the NFC North are +120) – Believe it or not but I feel that in 2008 the Minnesota Vikings will have the top defensive squad in the entire NFL. The Vikings have added the talent of Jared Allen who will fit in perfectly with the team. Allen will benefit as Minnesota has a strong interior defense. The expected win totals keep creeping higher and higher as the season gets closer. The one big concern however is at the quarterback position. Who ever gets the job will have to answer the toll and handle the ball with care. Last season the Vikings averaged 25.3 points per game and allowed the fewest points in the entire NFL at 18.1 per game. I feel they will only get better this season and will have a strong year.
Green Bay Packers (Odds to Win the NFC North are +225) – With all the Brett Favre controversy still looming, the Green Bay Packers will need to put it all behind them if they want to be successful. Even with the loss of quarterback Favre, I still feel the Packers can contend in the NFC North. It is tough to say how many wins they will get because we still can’t determine how good Ryan Grant will be and how much of an impact Brett Favre really had. The defense will remain the same and will be as good, if not better then last year. Green Bay allowed almost 25 points a game and scored about 22 per game. It is going to be interesting to see how well they do.
Detroit Lions (Odds to Win the NFC North are +650) – The Detroit Lions are one of those unpredictable teams. Sometimes they manage to play great football and at other times they look like a completely different team. The Lions will return some keys players like Jon Kitna and Roy Williams who hooked up many times last year for big plays. The running game was very weak last year as they relied mostly on passes through the air which led to some trouble. Kevin Smith will look to change things in his rookie season. They also have a very mediocre defense and I wouldn’t expect too much from the Lions, but don’t count them out.
Chicago Bears (Odds to Win the NFC North are +350) – With each passing season the Chicago Bears seemed to be getting worse and worse. They do not really have a good offense and seem to struggle with quarterbacks every year. They have had a solid defense in the past, but this now also seems to be slipping. Last season was one to forget for the Bears as they ranked 30th in points averaged per game with only 20 and 23rd in points allowed at almost 26. Make sure that you avoid the Bears all together this year as I feel they will not really be in contention.
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