NFC North
1. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Adrian Peterson
| September |
| 13 at Cleveland (W) |
| 20 at Detroit (W) |
| 27 SAN FRANCISCO (W) |
| October |
| 5 GREEN BAY |
| 11 at St. Louis |
| 18 BALTIMORE |
| 25 at Pittsburgh |
| November |
| 1 at Green Bay |
| 8 BYE |
| 15 DETROIT |
| 22 SEATTLE |
| 29 CHICAGO |
| December |
| 6 at Arizona |
| 13 CINCINNATI |
| 20 at Carolina |
| 28 at Chicago |
| January |
| 3 NY GIANTS |
For the Vikings to get to the top of the North, they’ll have to do it riding the 39 year-old arm of Brett Favre. Of course he will have one of the league’s best running backs, Adrian Peterson, to hand off to. Favre will also have speedy Bernard Berrian to stretch defenses, but they will miss the leadership of veteran center Matt Birk.
While much depends on what Favre has left, the good news is that Minnesota will be very strong defensively. They have been the NFL’s best rushing defense for the past two seasons.
2. CHICAGO BEARS
Jay Cutler
| September |
| 13 at Green Bay (L) |
| 20 PITTSBURGH (W) |
| 27 at Seattle (W) |
| October |
| 4 DETROIT |
| 11 bye |
| 18 at Atlanta |
| 25 at Cincinnati |
| November |
| 1 CLEVELAND |
| 8 ARIZONA |
| 12 at San Francisco |
| 22 PHILADELPHIA |
| 29 at Minnesota |
| December |
| 6 ST. LOUIS |
| 13 GREEN BAY |
| 20 at Baltimore |
| 28 MINNESOTA |
| January |
| 3 at Detroit |
The Chicago Bears are banking offensively with the reuniting of Vanderbilt players quarterback Jay Cutler and receiver Earl Bennett. Devon Hester will be on the other side and can stretch the D with his speed, but overall they are not of the same quality as the receivers Cutler left in Denver. But when you’re ranked 29th in passing last season, the arrival of strong-armed Cutler has to make Bear fans smile. Plus Matt Forte’s 1200 + yards rushing last year bodes well for a balanced attack.
And attack they will need since the team’s traditional strength, defense, took a hit with Brian Urlacher’s wrist injury .
3. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Aaron Rodgers
| September |
| 13 CHICAGO (W) |
| 20 CINCINNATI (L) |
| 27 at St.Louis (W) |
| October |
| 5 at Minnesota |
| 11 Bye |
| 18 DETROIT |
| 25 at Cleveland |
| November |
| 1 MINNESOTA |
| 8 at Tampa bay |
| 15 DALLAS |
| 22 SAN FRANCISCO |
| 26 at Detroit |
| December |
| 7 BALTIMORE |
| 13 at Chicago |
| 20 at Pittsburgh |
| 27 SEATTLE |
| January |
| 3 at Arizona |
The Packers will have two All-Pros, Al Harris and Aaron Kampman trying to adjust to a new 3-4 defense. They will be well schooled by coaches Kevin Greene and Dom Capers. Offensively Aaron Rodgers will have it easier if running back Ryan Grant can return to form from leg injuries.
4 . DETROIT LIONS
| September |
| 13 at New Orleans (L) |
| 20 MINNESOTA (L) |
| 27 WASHINGTON (W) |
| October |
| 4 at Chicago |
| 11 PITTSBURGH |
| 18 at Green Bay |
| 25 bye |
| November |
| 1 ST. LOUIS |
| 8 at Seattle |
| 15 at Minnesota |
| 22 CLEVELAND |
| 26 GREEN BAY |
| December |
| 6 at Cincinnati |
| 13 at Baltimore |
| 20 ARIZONA |
| 27 at San Francisco |
| January |
| 3 CHICAGO |
The hope for a fresh start with a new season, new coach and new roster changes hasn’t started well as the Lions (0-16 in 2008) have begun 0-2. Still it is early and remains to be seen if the large number of new faces can add some shine to a franchise darkened by having won only 10 games in three seasons. Jim Schwartz is hoping to become the first of the last 10 Detroit coaches to build a winning record.
While Matthew Stafford continues his NFL education at quarterback, the hope is that the experienced group of new faces on defense (Larry Foote, Julian Peterson, Grady Jackson and Philip Buchanon) can keep them in games by vastly improving on their 32nd ranking in consecutive seasons.
Vikes with the Williams’ anchoring the D line and Favre Peterson combo, Minnesota will take the division crown.
People discount a healthy Green Bay, that is a mistake.
Aaron Rodgers will lead Green Bay over Minnesota