NFL Pro Football 2008 NFC North Preview

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Fearless Rick's NFL Preview - NFC NORTH

Rick Gagliano | 8/3/2008

NFC NORTH - Predicted order of finish and (predicted record)

Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - Let's face it. Adrian Peterson is the most dangerous runner in the NFL. Even with a sub-par QB in Tarvaris Jackson (who should markedly improve this season), the Vikings were within striking distance of the playoffs in 2007 before losing their final two games and finishing 8-8.

While the offense revolves around the rushing attack, the Minnesota defense was lights out against the run the past two seasons, a trend that should continue into 2008. With all the beef up front, it was little surprise that teams attacked the Vikings through the air, but Minnesota was adept at improvising nickel and dime packages that managed to slow down most opponents' aerial assaults.

The Vikings face a challenging schedule at the start of the season, opening at Green Bay, then home games against Indianapolis and Carolina, followed by two more road events, at Tennessee and New Orleans. If they can survive at even 2-3, the schedule is favorable down the stretch with Chicago, at Detroit, at Arizona, and home vs. Atlanta, before a season-ending home date with the Giants.

With any luck, the Vikings will win the division by a game or two over the Bears and Packers.

Green Bay Packers (9-7) - with Brett Favre, the Packers could go maybe 11-5 this season, though even that may be a stretch after their remarkable 13-3 effort in 2007. This year's schedule is a little bit tougher, with early key games against Dallas and Indianapolis at Lambeau field, but a bunch of tough road games - at Tampa Bay, Seattle, Tennessee, New Orleans and Jacksonville.

News Sunday, August 3, that the aging Favre will compete for the starting job with the youthful Aaron Rodgers is some kind of joke. Favre is a future Hall of Famer, and he will be at the helm, even though his hijinks prior to training camp have been a major distraction.

With Favre at the QB position, the Packers are automatic contenders because their defense was special in 2007, ranking second in points allow to Tampa Bay. They should be just as good, but the schedule, injuries, and the improvement of Detroit and Minnesota in the Central division conspires against them.

Everything fell into place perfectly for the Packers last year, such as the emergence of Ryan Grant as a dependable, tackle-breaking running back. It's doubtful everything will go so swimmingly for the Pack in 2008.

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Chicago Bears (7-9) - The Bears beat Green Bay twice last season, and that's about the only good that came from their 7-9 season of disappointment.

The team still has not addressed the main concern at quarterback, preferring rather to have Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman (neither of whom have ever proven more than merely adequate) fight for the starting job in camp. The running game may get a boost from rookie Matt Forte from Tulane, but it's likely that free agent Kevin Jones may get more touches.

The defense should rebound from a horrible 2007 campaign, but the woes on offense mean the Bears are going to be sub-.500 again.

Detroit Lions (6-10) - Jim Colletto has replaced Mike Martz as offensive coordinator, so the Lions' offense should be more balanced in 2008. Last season, the Lions rarely ran the football, and for good reason. QB Jon Kitna may have had the best receiving corps in the league.

Unfortunately, the Lions were dead last on defense, both in scoring average (27.8) and yards allowed (377.6).

Despite their 7-9 record, the Lions were the biggest surprise, as well as the greatest flop, in the league. After a 6-2 start, they dropped six straight, as defenses amped up blanket coverages and offenses exploited gaping holes in the Detroit defense.

The Lions didn't beat any teams which made the playoffs in 2007, and the 2008 schedule is relatively devoid of playoff contenders. Outside of divisional contests, the Lions face Washington, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Indianapolis and New Orleans, among others, but those are the biggest tests.

The Lions would do well to reach .500 this season. Most of their "easy" games happen to be on the road, making their job much more difficult. The defense is still going to be horrible, but the Lions' offense should keep matters interesting.

Copyright 2008, 2009, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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