Green Bay Packers: 12-4: 1st place This is the Packers' year. They've built to this point, and Aaron Rodgers has a chance to bring the Packers back to the promised land. It has to be this year because they are running out of time. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are getting a little old and if the offensive line allows Rodgers to be sacked as often as last season, he won't have many years in the league. He was sacked 50 times last year and fumbled the ball 10 times. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is fantastic so he has the possibility to be an MVP-caliber QB this season, but that won't happen if he is on his arse multiple times per game.
Their defense is worrisome though. AJ Hawk, Charles Woodson, and Nick Barnett are great, but the Packers gave up 51 points in their wild card loss to the Cards. That is disgraceful and hopefully that embarrassment fuels their fire to be the strong defense they were during the season. Their offense can only carry them so far, and if the Packers want to make a long run through the playoffs, 51 points in one game simply will not do.
Minnesota Vikings: 11-5; 2nd place
Just as this is the Packers' year, last year was meant for the Vikings. Brett Favre had a legendary year, and was one mistake away from having a true fairytale ending. Instead, we have to see if his shoulder, and ankle, and heart hold up for another grueling season. He will not be able to match last year's numbers, and the Vikings obviously need him to or they would have settled for Tavaris Jackson. This is a strong team, but they will be overtaken by the Packers for the divisional title this year.
The drop-off will be no fault of the defense. With the front line of Ray Edwards, the Williamses, Pat and Kevin, and the crazy, Jared Allen, anyone could play behind them and offenses would still be shut down. Edwards is the least known of the bunch and he had 8.5 sacks last season. As long as Favre keeps from throwing picks, Adrian Peterson holds onto the ball, and the defense continues their hunger for QB blood, the Vikings will make a decent run into the playoffs.
Da Bears: 6-10; 3rd place
This division and their schedule is just too tough. Jay Cutler is the QB that Da Bears dreamed of since the team began. A QB that can throw bombs and lead a team. Too bad all Cutler can do is throw bombs, and even then, half of the time those bombs are to the other team. Da Bears certainly have talent on the offensive side, with Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Desmond Clark, Matt Forte and Chester Taylor.
Da Bears have a talented defense as well. Tommy Harris and Julius Peppers up front, Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher in the middle and Danieal Manning and Charles Tillman in the secondary will frustrate many teams. So on paper, this team looks solid. So why did I drop them so low? Jay Cutler. I do not trust his ability to lead the team without whining, and Da Bears will continue to struggle with him.
Detroit Lions: 4-12; 4th place
Another bad season for Detroit. Matthew Stafford will improve some, but the running game is not strong enough to keep the focuses of defenses off of him. Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson are certainly exciting toys for Stafford to play with, but they will not be enough to win games.
Just like on defense the drafting of Ndamukong Suh will bolster their front line, but it will not be enough. The Lions, like the Bears, have a tough schedule and a rough division. The team is used to losing, so once they lose a couple in the beginning, the Lions will yet again become cowardly and finish another season with their tail between their legs.
Next up: NFC East
No comments:
Post a Comment