Around the NFL: NFC North

Alright let's get back to our divisional breakdowns.

2004 NFC North Standings:

Packers 10-6: The Favre-led Packers were bounced from the playoffs by division rival Minnesota, exposing us to Randy's infamous moon shot.

Vikings 8-8: Stumbled into the playoffs but were outclassed by eventual NFC Champion Philadelphia.

Lions 6-10: Young team with alot of talent at the skill positions. Perhaps ready to roar in '05?

Bears 5-11: Look for more of the same in 2005, the Bears will have a strangle hold on the North basement.

Predictions:

Packers 11-5: Everyone seems to be predicting the demise but I'm not buying in to it. I think the Pack will remain strong and their defense will be improved.

Vikings 9-7: The Vikes seem to always have the talent to make some serious noise, but they always find a way to stay mediocre. Will the subtraction of Moss actually be a plus for them?

Lions 7-9: I think the Lions are still a year away from being a potential playoff contender. Look for Jeff Garcia to take over at some point this year, probably sooner rather than later.

Bears 5-11: What are the Bears gonna do without Rex Grossman?? Probably the same as if they had him the entire year... not much.

Vikings 10-6: Much stronger defense. Loss of Moss is huge, but Burleson can be the real deal, and Troy Williamson is enough of a serious deep threat to keep teams from doubling Burleson. The running game is underrated with Bennet, Mewelde Moore, and Moe Williams. But I'm not a fan of Tice. I think they have 12-4 talent, but he'll squander some of it.

Packers 9-7: Favre is still the man. But he's going to get chased more often, that offensive line isn't what it used to be.

Lions 7-9: If Harrington falters they can always turn to Garcia. Great weapons on offense. Not so sure about the defense, so ultimately I'm saying it's a losing season. But it wouldn't surprise me if they jumped up and made the playoffs.

Bears 3-13: Without Rex, it's HOPELESS.

Vikings 11-5: I do believe they have gotten better 1 of the things that always hold the vikings back was their Defense it was just terrible they allways got beat and this offseason they improved their secondary (Sharper and Smooth) and williams is going to be amazing. Also Eramus James and Williamson are 2 good draft picks in 2 pressing needs They're going to miss Moss playmaking ability but even that could get them in the SB the last 8 years I think is good they decided to change the focus of a 1 player offense to a more complete and balanced 1 they don't have to score 30 point per game they just need to beat their opponents.

Lions 10-6: I'm sorrry but this Offense is scarry even if harrignton is the QB and if he's not doing the job Garcia will take over I see them as a Wild Card team for sure they still ahve 1 of the best D-lines in the NFL they're getting some injured players back (Bly and Bailey).

Packers 8-8: I'm sorry but I see this year as Favre Downfall he did alot of work in the offseason but that O-line is going to hurt him alot and A.Green won't be able to run trought those thinny holes. Their D is still young not alot of playmakers and they just lost their leader in sharper

Bears 2-14: Their season is over with Rex gone I still didn't give them much but they're gonners hey theire 1st round pick doesn't whant to play for them lol

vikes, GB, lions, bears...

Gotta be brief on this one..

1. Vikings, 10-6.. Moss is addition by subtraction, Culpepper is an MVP candidate, defense is much improved

2. Lions, 8-8.. Harrington is better but still not good.. Running game struggles until Schlesinger comes back, defense is much improved..

3. Packers, 7-9.. Defensively one of the league's worst teams, they will lose a lot of high scoring games.. Favre is very good, but not great due to a weakened offensive line..

4. Bears, 4-12.. Just a bad football team.. Offensively they never get it going, on defense they are able to stay in some games, but just can't score enough points to get it done.

My upset pick of the year!

Lions (10-6)

Vikings (9-7)

Packers (9-7)

Bears (4-12)

Brud and I are together!
Lions 10-6 -- This offense could be nasty. If Harrington isnt doing it Garcia will be plugged in quickly and already knows the system. Love the WR/RB position, getting some injured defense back. Extremely young team but VERY talented.
Vikings 9-7 -- Is it true? Do the vikings have a defense! They do, I think they could easily win the division too. No Randy Moss is a change, still no stud RB but a gaggle of good ones.
Packers 8-8 - Brett Favre and Javon Walker will try. Ahman Green seems to have found the fumbles again, the O line is hurting, and the defense is just awful.
Bears 3-13 - Their season went down with Rex Grossman. Mushin Muhammad is good but not worth what they paid, their #1 pick still isn't in camp, and they have lots of holes all around. I do like Lovie SMith though. WIth time they'll be better.

1. Packers (11-5) - Favre will be even better than last year. He stopped cutting corners and it might be his last year, so he'll want to make it a good one. Their defense will improve with new coordinator Jim Bates

2. Vikings (9-7) - Their offense will be worse without Moss. Now they have less depth at running back without Onterrio Smith. Michael Bennett gets hurt every year. Their defense will be better, but not much better because the coaches are morons and we all know how teams do when they just add a million overpaid players.

3. Lions (8-8) - Joey Harrington is not good enough to lead this team. The talent at receiver is not enough to help him. They will improve when they put in Garcia, but it will be too little, too late and they will miss the playoffs

4. Bears (6-10) - Muhsin Muhammad will help and they have a great defense, but with Grossman out again, their offense will continue to struggle and they will finish last in the division

1. Vikes - 11-5: Culpepper is still the heart of the team with a much improved defense.
2. Pack - 10-6: Favre is good for 3 wins alone. Looks younger this year.
3. Lions - 8-8: Until Harrington shows something, they won't break from the mediocre ranks.
4. Bears - 6-10: Defense isn't bad. Offense will improve when Benson finally signs but no QB is death in this division.

Brud and I are together!

Uh-oh.