NFC North (1 Viewer)

[ArcticEdge]

I voted for the Vikes(yes, I am a Vikings Homer), but for legitimate reasons IMO.

Vikes are deep at WR, they have an excellent RB in Chester Taylor IMO, Brad Johnson is a seasoned veteran that doesn't turn the ball over much and still an accurate passer. Our offensive line will be much improved with Huthinson and our draft picks.

On defense we have IMO a top 5 secondary, our linebacker core is improved with Greenway and our D-line is solid.

Definate upgrade at coach with Childress and I like Zygi's no nonsense ownership. Looking at the Vikes schedule I see a very possible 10-6 record maybe even 11-5.

Think I'm crazy? Maybe... But who in this division will stop us?

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

I consider Minnesota to be a dark horse in the NFC this year. May not win the division, but I think they will surprise. It all hinges on how well Brad plays this year at QB.

 

[brednbuddah]

The Chicago D and Grossman engineering a steady "grind-it-out" attack will be too much for the other teams in that division to handle.

 

[datonn]

Minnesota if Brad Johnson stays healthy. Chicago if Brad Johnson gets hurt.

 

[sho nuff]

I voted for the Vikes(yes, I am a Vikings Homer), but for legitimate reasons IMO.

Vikes are deep at WR, they have an excellent RB in Chester Taylor IMO, Brad Johnson is a seasoned veteran that doesn't turn the ball over much and still an accurate passer.  Our offensive line will be much improved with Huthinson and our draft picks. 

On defense we have IMO a top 5 secondary, our linebacker core is improved with Greenway and our D-line is solid. 

Definate upgrade at coach with Childress and I like Zygi's no nonsense ownership.  Looking at the Vikes schedule I see a very possible 10-6 record maybe even 11-5. 

Think I'm crazy?  Maybe...  But who in this division will stop us?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Probably chicago...and Im a Packer fan....but it is obvious you are a Viking homer if you consider that a top 5 secondary. Your line should be better with Hutch...but still too many questions around Birk's injury history and McKinney's mediocreness. and this was a very bad line.WRs? Deep...but nothing earth shattering...quite average really. LBs you got Greenway...but thats about it...and he is a rookie and not considered an impact type player.

Excellent RB in Taylor? The guy could not beat out a very bad Jamal last year for a starting spot.

Add all that to a new coaching staff and I would not be shocked if 8-8 happened.

 

[aposulli]

I voted for the Vikes(yes, I am a Vikings Homer), but for legitimate reasons IMO.

Vikes are deep at WR, they have an excellent RB in Chester Taylor IMO, Brad Johnson is a seasoned veteran that doesn't turn the ball over much and still an accurate passer.  Our offensive line will be much improved with Huthinson and our draft picks. 

On defense we have IMO a top 5 secondary, our linebacker core is improved with Greenway and our D-line is solid. 

Definate upgrade at coach with Childress and I like Zygi's no nonsense ownership.  Looking at the Vikes schedule I see a very possible 10-6 record maybe even 11-5. 

Think I'm crazy?  Maybe...  But who in this division will stop us?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Probably chicago...and Im a Packer fan....but it is obvious you are a Viking homer if you consider that a top 5 secondary. Your line should be better with Hutch...but still too many questions around Birk's injury history and McKinney's mediocreness. and this was a very bad line.WRs? Deep...but nothing earth shattering...quite average really. LBs you got Greenway...but thats about it...and he is a rookie and not considered an impact type player.

Excellent RB in Taylor? The guy could not beat out a very bad Jamal last year for a starting spot.

Add all that to a new coaching staff and I would not be shocked if 8-8 happened.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not a Viking homer, but a big fan. I wouldn't go as far to say theyre a top 5 secondary.Winfield is definitly a top corner and contributes in almost every facet of the game. He can undoubtedly develop into a Ronde Barber clone in the Cover 2.

Smoot has more cover-corner ability than Winfield, but his attitude definitly affected his game and status with the coaching staff last season. Lets hope for a rebound in 2006.

Sharper and Tank Williams are good starters but both have durabilty questions, which is where the biggest problem lies....

NO DEPTH whatsoever.

The second biggest issue here is the fact that theyre moving to an entirely new scheme. The players might appear to fit on paper, but I don't believe any have any experience in a Cover2.

All that being said, I went with the Bears. No way does Grossman perform as poorly as Orton did last year (he and Losman were by far the two worst based on passer rating, Orton being the absolute worst). Griese provides nice insurance should Grossman get hurt again. D has only improved with additions of Manning, plus the rookies.

Chicago Bears 11-5

Minnesota Vikings 8-8

Green Bay Packers 6-10

Detroit Lions 5-12

 

[aposulli]

Excellent RB in Taylor?  The guy could not beat out a very bad Jamal last year for a starting spot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He outplayed Jamal in every way possible (granted I'm sure he wasn't being as closely watched as Lewis by the D). Billick just was too stubborn to stray from his power-running gameplan.

 

[reg]

Can you show me this depth at WR, because I seem to be looking at a different team than you. I guess you never did specify that we had good depth, just numbers depth.

 

[PsychoMan]

Bears: 10-6

Vikings: 8-8 (maybe 9-7)

Packers: 7-9

Lions: 6-10

 

[ArcticEdge]

Can you show me this depth at WR, because I seem to be looking at a different team than you.  I guess you never did specify that we had good depth, just numbers depth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Koren RobinsonMarcus Robinson

Travis Taylor

Troy Williamson

Going 4 deep, they are solid. Koren will have an entire training camp under his belt and is a terrific talent, Marcus is a good red zone target, Taylor is a decent veteran and Williamson showed some good flashes last year with his deep routes, he will be much improved. I think this group will surprise you.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

Can you show me this depth at WR, because I seem to be looking at a different team than you.  I guess you never did specify that we had good depth, just numbers depth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Koren RobinsonMarcus Robinson

Travis Taylor

Troy Williamson

Going 4 deep, they are solid. Koren will have an entire training camp under his belt and is a terrific talent, Marcus is a good red zone target, Taylor is a decent veteran and Williamson showed some good flashes last year with his deep routes, he will be much improved. I think this group will surprise you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would agree that they have depth at WR, but the problem is they don't have a "go to" guy that a team would like to have. I think this plays into Johnson's game because he is the veteran who can read the defense and find the open guy, but I would like to see them get a true #1 (hoping Koren or Williamson can step up), because if they don't have that #1 guy, then I think the offense struggles mightily.This division is going to be ugly once again...I think it is open for any one of the teams to win - it is that bad!! I think the Bears have the best shot because of their defense, but their offense is just as scary bad as their defense is scary good!

 

[Two Deep]

Can you show me this depth at WR, because I seem to be looking at a different team than you.  I guess you never did specify that we had good depth, just numbers depth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Koren RobinsonMarcus Robinson

Travis Taylor

Troy Williamson

Going 4 deep, they are solid. Koren will have an entire training camp under his belt and is a terrific talent, Marcus is a good red zone target, Taylor is a decent veteran and Williamson showed some good flashes last year with his deep routes, he will be much improved. I think this group will surprise you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Blaaaaaaach, oh excuse me watch where you step. Two has beens a never was and a wannabe, or one has been two never was and a wannabe.Chicago !

 

[hutchins929]

Chicago 9-7

Detroit 9-7

Green Bay 6-10

Minnesota 5-11

Chicago win the tiebreaker

Detroit gets the last wildcard spot

 

[BoulderBob]

Chicago

Their defense was pretty young last year, and they drafted speed to fill the weakspot in the secondary. I don't think the Packers or the Lions have an o-line that can handle the Bears. If Grossman puts up 18-24 points like he was late in the season, the Bears should roll to the division title. I believe the Vikings have the best shot to knock them off.

 

[Texasmouth]

Chicago 10-6

Minny 8-8

GreenBay 7-9

Detroit 5-11

Chicago was solid last year and they are deep at almost every position, including QB this season.

Minny was surprisingly solid towards the end of the year last year but I don't think they are that good. Chester Taylor is an upgrade over the garbage they started last year but the guy has never started for an entire season so who knows if he can make it. Brad Johnson is a year older....wouldn't surprise me to see him starting to slip a little.

 

[-OZ-]

Chicago 10-6

Minny 8-8

GreenBay 7-9

Detroit 5-11

Chicago was solid last year and they are deep at almost every position, including QB this season.

Minny was surprisingly solid towards the end of the year last year but I don't think they are that good. Chester Taylor is an upgrade over the garbage they started last year but the guy has never started for an entire season so who knows if he can make it. Brad Johnson is a year older....wouldn't surprise me to see him starting to slip a little.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Would you mind giving us a few more losses? I'd like to draft Brady Quinn. TIA

 

[Perfect Tommy]

I am picking the Packers to win this division. Last year was an aberation for them. Sherman was a lousy coach and he is finally gone. The defense looks very solid now with the additions of Pickett, Hawk, and Woodson to go along with very fine players in Harris, Kampman, Barnett and KGB. It probably won't be as good as the CHI defense, but the offense will be much better. In Favre, the Packers have one of the best QBs to ever grace the gridiron. Again, last season was not typical for him. But even with all their injuries on offense last season, the Packers were pretty productive. It was the interceptions that did them in. I expect Favre will bounce back in a big way. The RBs are three deep this year and shouldn't be a problem. FB and TE are still a strength. WRs and the interior line could be a little weak, but still they are a far more explosive offense than CHI.

The Bears won a ton of close games last year. It will be hard to repeat that performance. The Vikings have too many changes. And I don't believe in Brad Johnson. He is smart, but he had a noodle arm last season and is just getting older. It will take them at least a year before the coach can get rid of Tice's problem guys and get his own players in there. The Lions? I didn't see much to get excited about last year and I don't think they will ever make it to the post season as long as Matt Millen is calling the shots.

 

[jbird5150]

Bears. The offense suffered under Kyle last year, but was much better when Rex came back. Now that we have an experienced backup in Griese, we're in much better shape. Got a great running game and O-line. The only question mark is at #2 WR. Look for them to pick up a solid veteran after the June 1 cuts.

And I don't even have to mention the defense, do I?

Chicago tasted victory last year, so the losing mindset is gone with this group. Stay healthy and we'll not only win the division, but make a run for the whole thing.

It ain't pretty, it ain't flashy...it's just Bears football.

 

[Payne]

The Lions. Why? Because in this division it's never the team you expect.

Who said Chicago last year? Probably very few.

The Lions have a better QB. Better coaching staff. Potentially a game breaking RB. One of the best WR's in the division. Improved front 7.

No reason to think they can't do it.

 

[sho nuff]

The Lions. Why? Because in this division it's never the team you expect.

Who said Chicago last year? Probably very few.

The Lions have a better QB. Better coaching staff. Potentially a game breaking RB. One of the best WR's in the division. Improved front 7.

No reason to think they can't do it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Better coaching staff? According to who? Because of Martz? They have a solid OC...and the rest are really unknown as to what they will really do.They have a career backup at QB for the most part who has enjoyed a little success in small doses.

One WR worth talking about, a poor offensive line, a poor defense, an average running game, and the worst GM in the league.

 

[Vikes Fan]

Can you show me this depth at WR, because I seem to be looking at a different team than you.  I guess you never did specify that we had good depth, just numbers depth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Koren Robinson Marcus Robinson

Travis Taylor

Troy Williamson

Going 4 deep, they are solid. Koren will have an entire training camp under his belt and is a terrific talent, Marcus is a good red zone target, Taylor is a decent veteran and Williamson showed some good flashes last year with his deep routes, he will be much improved. I think this group will surprise you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Koren will be O.K. if he stays straight. MRob has 2 good games every year (not yards, TDs). Travis Taylor was unspectacular last year. Williamson we just do not know about yet. My feeling however is that he no longer fits with the offensive philosophy that the new coaching staff is going to use. Dink and dunk is not his game.

I picked the Bears, and I am a huge Vikings fan. I think Minny will struggle this year as the players have to change styles on both sides of the ball. I see Minny with a 6-10 record...maybe 7-9.

That's just my

 

[ArcticEdge]

I am picking the Packers to win this division.  Last year was an aberation for them.  Sherman was a lousy coach and he is finally gone.  The defense looks very solid now with the additions of Pickett, Hawk, and Woodson to go along with very fine players in Harris, Kampman, Barnett and KGB.  It probably won't be as good as the CHI defense, but the offense will be much better.  In Favre, the Packers have one of the best QBs to ever grace the gridiron.  Again, last season was not typical for him.  But even with all their injuries on offense last season, the Packers were pretty productive.  It was the interceptions that did them in.  I expect Favre will bounce back in a big way.  The RBs are three deep this year and shouldn't be a problem.  FB and TE are still a strength.  WRs and the interior line could be a little weak, but still they are a far more explosive offense than CHI.

The Bears won a ton of close games last year.  It will be hard to repeat that performance.  The Vikings have too many changes.  And I don't believe in Brad Johnson.  He is smart, but he had a noodle arm last season and is just getting older.  It will take them at least a year before the coach can get rid of Tice's problem guys and get his own players in there.  The Lions?  I didn't see much to get excited about last year and I don't think they will ever make it to the post season as long as Matt Millen is calling the shots.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like Favre, but, he only has Donald Driver to throw to. It is going to be a long year for him....

 

[tietzjd]

Chicago Bears 11-5

Minnesota Vikings 10-6

Green Bay Packers 7-9

Detroit Lions 6-10

Bears win the Div with one of the best Def in the NFL.

Minnesota was 9-7 (With big hole dug by C-pep) last year with all their additions this year how can predicate a slide?

Packers had great Draft get's them couple more wins easy.

Well the Lions are the Lions.