NFC North

Aaron Rodgers, Heavyweight Champion of the World

By Adam Barone

Bears’ fans spent years waiting for the inevitable lull in quarterback play following the Brett Favre era in Green Bay.

Scott Mitchell always follows Dan Marino, right?

Apparently that’s not the case. Rodgers might actually be better than Favre, and he’s not going away any time soon.

Green Bay Packers (12-4): The Super Bowl Champion Packers are virtually without weakness.
They ranked fifth in passing and tenth in scoring while allowing the second fewest points per game (15.0) and the fewest red zone touchdowns (15).  The defense was second in the league with 24 interceptions while the team was whistled for just 78 penalties-fourth fewest.
Running back Ryan Grant and tight end JerMichael Finley, who both missed most of 2010 with injuries, return to the already high-powered offense. Former Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod was drafted to help cut down on the 38 sacks allowed.
This edition of the Pack will be as good as or better than the last.

Chicago Bears (11-5): The Bears were aggressive in the offseason, signing former Cowboys’ receiver Roy Williams and running back Marion Barber, former Jets’ defensive end Vernon Gholston, former Texans’ defensive tackle Amobi Okoye and former Seahawks’ center Chris Stewart. Long-time Bears’ center Olin Kreutz was allowed to leave as a free agent, while misfit tight end Greg Olsen was traded to Carolina.
The team appears to have improved overall, especially considering the additions of offensive tackle Gabe Carimi and defensive tackle Stephen Paea in the draft, but the protection for quarterback Jay Cutler could still be the league’s worst.
Cutler was slammed to the turf a league-high 56 times in 2010 while attempting a league-low 466 passes.
Chicago’s defense ranked fourth in scoring and second in rushing last season and the front line figures to be much improved. Paea, Gohlston and Okoye should add depth to the front four and strengthen the pass rush.
Expect the offense to be more cohesive in its second year under Mike Martz, but the line will need to gel if Chicago expects to return to the NFC Championship.

Detroit Lions (8-8): Quarterback Matt Stafford is healthy to start the season after playing just three games in ‘10 and the Lions are hoping that he stays that way. Former Boise State speedster receiver Titus Young was added to Stafford’s arsenal, which includes Calvin Johnson and rising star tight end Brandon Pettigrew.
Former Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley and ex-Illinois tailback Mikel LeShoure were added in what seemed to be an extremely promising draft. A season-ending injury to LeShoure puts added weight on running back Jahvid Best’s shoulders and extra pressure on Stafford to stay on the field and move the ball.
Detroit ranked in the middle of the pack in most statistical categories last season, aside from being second in the NFL with 136 penalties. We’ll find out this season if Stafford is the kind of leader that can put the Lions over the top. 

Minnesota Vikings (7-9): The Vikings are desperately trying to hold the window open, but it’s about to slam on their fingers.
Brett Favre retired (hopefully for good), left tackle Bryant McKinnie was cut and Tarvaris Jackson and Sidney Rice left in free agency. Quarterback Donavan McNabb (trade with Washington), receiver Michael Jenkins (free agency) and tight end Kyle Rudolph (second round pick from Notre Dame) were brought in as reinforcements. 
The offense ranked 29th in scoring with a sad 17.6 points per game, while failing to top 200 yards passing per contest (ranked 26th). Adrian Peterson’s rushing workload will likely increase this season from 283 carries in ’10, while both running back Toby Gerhart and receiver Percy Harvin figure to see significantly increased workloads.
Changes on defense should signify the end of an era in Minnesota, one in which the Vikings were consistently among the league’s best up front. Last season’s starting defensive line—Ray Edwards, Pat Williams, Kevin Wiilliams and Jared Allen—has been altered by free agency, likely retirement, and suspension. It should now feature Brian Robison, Remi Ayodele, Fred Evans and Allen.
The unit ranked ninth against the run and 10th versus the pass, though only 18th in scoring last season.

Expect a drop off in nearly every area on both sides of the ball for the Vikings.