NFL – 2010 Preview NFC North 2010
Minnesota
Stanford power runner Gerhart is now a Viking
- Despite coming ever so close to a trip to the Super Bowl, as of this writing unfortunately the same huge question begins a new: Will Brett Favre be their quarterback?
Having one of the best years in his long career, most Viking observers are inclined that he will return for his 20th season. It is crucial for this franchise’s playoff hopes that he does.
Based on his performance last year there are no signs to suggest other than Favre can continue to play at a high level, especially with all talent on offense. The Vikings finished second in the NFL in scoring (470 points) in a pass-oriented attack. The Vikings became only the second team in NFL history to have six players catch at least 40 passes. With Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin (Offensive Rookie of the Year) are great targets.
Minnesota will be tougher to contain if Adrian Peterson can reduce his critical fumble problems (after fumbling twice and causing a botched exchange with Favre in the NFC title game). Drafting Heisman Trophy runner-up Toby Gerhart, a punishing runner at Stanford should ease Peterson’s burden.
The defense, the modern day version of the Purple People Eaters, succeeds by getting pressure on the quarterback, stopping the run and limiting explosive pass plays over the top. The Vikings should have one of the premier fronts in the NFL again this season. Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams and Ray Edwards have no peers as a front four.
With its many veterans though, the Vikings need to win now and it won’t be easy with a tougher schedule and Green Bay eyeing them hungrily.
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
1 Thu, Sep 9 at New Orleans 8:30 PM
2 Sun, Sep 19 Miami 1:00 PM
3 Sun, Sep 26 Detroit 1:00 PM
4 BYE
5 Mon, Oct 11 at NY Jets 8:30 PM
6 Sun, Oct 17 Dallas 4:15 PM
7 Sun, Oct 24 at Green Bay 8:20 PM
8 Sun, Oct 31 at New England 4:15 PM
9 Sun, Nov 7 Arizona 1:00 PM
10 Sun, Nov 14 at Chicago 1:00 PM
11 Sun, Nov 21 Green Bay 1:00 PM
12 Sun, Nov 28 at Washington 1:00 PM
13 Sun, Dec 5 Buffalo 1:00 PM
14 Sun, Dec 12 NY Giants 1:00 PM
15 Mon, Dec 20 Chicago 8:30 PM
16 Sun, Dec 26 at Philadelphia 1:00 PM
17 Sun, Jan 2 at Detroit 1:00 PM
Green Bay
DB Charles Woodson is enjoying a brilliant return to form
– 340-pound nose tackle Ryan Pickett led the Packers to the NFL’s No. 1-ranked run defense and that is what it is going to take to get them deep in the playoffs. Defense. Outside linebacker Clay Matthews, who earned a trip to the Pro Bowl with a fine rookie season, is helped in back by cornerback Charles Woodson, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Enjoying a grand revival, Woodson tied for the league high with nine interceptions, including three that he returned for touchdowns. He was the linchpin for a defense that led the NFL in interceptions (30), takeaways (40) and turnover margin (plus-24). Now if the brilliant Al Harris can return to form from injury in the defensive backfield, Green Bay can ride the arm of QB Aaron Rodgers deep into the playoffs.
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
1 Sun, Sep 12 at Philadelphia 4:15 PM
2 Sun, Sep 19 Buffalo 1:00 PM
3 Mon, Sep 27 at Chicago 8:30 PM
4 Sun, Oct 3 Detroit 1:00 PM
5 Sun, Oct 10 at Washington 1:00 PM
6 Sun, Oct 17 Miami 1:00 PM
7 Sun, Oct 24 Minnesota 8:20 PM
8 Sun, Oct 31 at NY Jets 1:00 PM
9 Sun, Nov 7 Dallas 8:20 PM
10 BYE
11 Sun, Nov 21 at Minnesota 1:00 PM
12 Sun, Nov 28 at Atlanta 1:00 PM
13 Sun, Dec 5 San Francisco 1:00 PM
14 Sun, Dec 12 at Detroit 1:00 PM
15 Sun, Dec 19 at New England 8:20 PM
16 Sun, Dec 26 NY Giants 4:15 PM
17 Sun, Jan 2 Chicago 1:00 PM
Chicago
The Bears are counting on a full recovery by Urlacher
– With a tough opening schedule and potentially missing the playoffs for a fourth straight year, the Bears are under pressure. Sensing that, the management spent a lot of money on free agents for defensive end Julius Peppers, running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, contracts that could add up to nearly $120 million.
In an odd coaching move, passing-guru Mike Martz is the new offensive coordinator for a club that head coach Lovie Smith has traditionally preferred using the ground game. Smith was the defensive coordinator with the Rams when Martz was head coach.
Still, Martz has a gem at quarterback in Jay Cutler, despite tossing an NFL-worst 26 interceptions last year. Smith may look the other way if Martz can get Cutler’s rocket arm, accuracy and unheralded ability to move in the pocket and buy time back to a high level. Cutler has a solid array of young receivers to throw to in Devin Hester (57 receptions for a team-best 757 yards, Earl Bennett (54 catches, 717 yards) and Johnny Knox (45 for 527).
Defensively if Urlacher’s leadership and big-play ability return to form and lingering questions about this durability are put to rest, the addition of Peppers really makes this an exciting time on that side of the ball. They’ll need it to stop the big weapons up in Minnesota and Green Bay.
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
1 Sun, Sep 12 Detroit 1:00 PM
2 Sun, Sep 19 at Dallas 1:00 PM
3 Mon, Sep 27 Green Bay 8:30 PM
4 Sun, Oct 3 at NY Giants 8:20 PM
5 Sun, Oct 10 at Carolina 1:00 PM
6 Sun, Oct 17 Seattle 1:00 PM
7 Sun, Oct 24 Washington 1:00 PM
8 BYE
9 Sun, Nov 7 at Buffalo 1:00 PM
10 Sun, Nov 14 Minnesota 1:00 PM
11 Thu, Nov 18 at Miami 8:20 PM
12 Sun, Nov 28 Philadelphia 1:00 PM
13 Sun, Dec 5 at Detroit 1:00 PM
14 Sun, Dec 12 New England 1:00 PM
15 Mon, Dec 20 at Minnesota 8:30 PM
16 Sun, Dec 26 NY Jets 1:00 PM
17 Sun, Jan 2 at Green Bay 1:00 PM
Detroit
former number one pick Matt Stafford can produce if he stays healthy
– Former Number One pick Matt Stafford, has shown signs he is coming into his own as the team’s quarterback with his sharp instincts and fast release. The key will be staying healthy (a dislocated kneecap in Week 4 hampered him all season, and the shoulder injury finished his season after 10 starts) and reducing the nasty 20 interception number.
Defensively, like baseball, strength up the middle is a key and Detroit with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, linebacker DeAndre Levy and safety Louis Delmas are on their way.
For Lion fans, patience is a must toiling in one of the league’s toughest divisions and not enjoying a winning season since the turn of the millennium (9–7 in 2000).
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
1 Sun, Sep 12 at Chicago 1:00 PM
2 Sun, Sep 19 Philadelphia 1:00 PM
3 Sun, Sep 26 at Minnesota 1:00 PM
4 Sun, Oct 3 at Green Bay 1:00 PM
5 Sun, Oct 10 St. Louis 1:00 PM
6 Sun, Oct 17 at NY Giants 1:00 PM
7 BYE
8 Sun, Oct 31 Washington 1:00 PM
9 Sun, Nov 7 NY Jets 1:00 PM
10 Sun, Nov 14 at Buffalo 1:00 PM
11 Sun, Nov 21 at Dallas 1:00 PM
12 Thu, Nov 25 New England 12:30 PM
13 Sun, Dec 5 Chicago 1:00 PM
14 Sun, Dec 12 Green Bay 1:00 PM
15 Sun, Dec 19 at Tampa Bay 1:00 PM
16 Sun, Dec 26 at Miami 1:00 PM
17 Sun, Jan 2 Minnesota 1:00 PM
