2012 NFC North Preview

Hello again fellow readers. I'll skip the formalities and take you straight to what you want: the facts, and just the facts (and opinions).

1. Chicago Bears (13-3)
Head Coach: Lovie Smith (9th season w/ Bears; 9 years total exp.)
Quarterback: Jay “Sourpuss” Cutler (13 TD, 7 INT, 2319 Yds, 58 Cmp%) (7-3 as starter; team finished 1-5 when injured)
Running Back: Matt “Got Paid” Forte (997 Yds, 3 TD) (Missed last four games due to injury)
Wide Receiver: Brandon “Law-Abiding Citizen” Marshall (81 Rec, 1214 Yds, 6 TD); Johnny Knox (37 Rec, 727 Yds, 2 TD); Alshon Jeffery (R); Devin Hester (26 Rec, 369 Yds, 1 TD; 3 TD Returns)
Tight End: Kellen Davis (18 Rec, 206 Yds, 5 TD)
Defensive Player: Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs (LBs; combined for 207 TCK)
Rookie to Watch: Alshon Jeffery (WR; South Carolina) - His weight fluctuated during college (213 lbs to 240 lbs), but he needs to be fast and productive from the outset to help Cutler and Marshall.

Last season, “Da Bears” were hot going into Thanksgiving weekend, being 7-3 at the time. Then, they got ice cold after Jay Cutler went down with a fractured thumb and Matt Forte sprained his MCL. In other words, the Bears offense went into hibernation for December and finished the season 1-5. But, if the two aforementioned stars of the offense stay healthy, along with new addition Brandon Marshall and a stout Bears defense, this team has championship potential. Now, enjoy the Super Bowl Shuffle.

2. Green Bay Packers (12-4)
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy (7th season w/ Packers; 7 years total exp.)
Quarterback: Aaron “Discount Double Check” Rodgers (45 TD, 6 INT, 4643 Yds, 68.3 Cmp%)
Running Back: James Starks (578 Yds, 1 TD)
Wide Receiver: Greg Jennings (67 Rec, 949 Yds, 9 TD); Jordy Nelson (68 Rec, 1263 Yds, 15 TD); James Jones (38 Rec, 635 Yds, 7 TD); Donald Driver (37 Rec, 445 Yds, 6 TD)
Tight End: Jermichael Finley (55 Rec, 767 Yds, 8 TD)
Defensive Player: Charles Woodson (CB; 7 INT; 1 TD)
Rookie to Watch: Nick Perry (DE/OLB; USC) - Projected as ROLB starter opposite Clay Matthews, Perry can provide the needed outside rush for ILBs A.J. Hawk and Desmond Bishop to get pressure to the quarterback.

I picked Green Bay to finish second to Chicago, and they still party.

What do you get for being the second best team in the NFC? According to my useless predictions, second place in the NFC North. Rest assure, the Packers are contenders. Rodgers will throw, receivers will catch, and fans will celebrate touchdowns with beer, brats, and cheese (God I want to tailgate in Green Bay). What’s important for the Packers is that they play consistent defense (allowed average of 22.4 points/game, 19th best in league). If they can do that, then Packers fans should get ready for football in January, and possibly February.

3. Detroit Lions (9-7)
Head Coach: Jim Schwartz (4th season w/ Lions; 4 years total exp.)
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford (41 TD, 16 INT, 5038 Yds, 63.5 Cmp%)
Running Back: Jahvid Best (390 Yds, 2 TD; 287 RecYds, 1 TD)
Wide Receiver: Calvin “Megatron” Johnson (96 Rec, 1681 Yds, 16 TD); Nate Burleson (73 Rec, 757 Yds, 3 TD)
Tight End: Brandon Pettigrew (83 Rec, 777 Yds, 5 TD); Tony Scheffler (26 Rec, 347 Yds, 6 TD)
Defensive Player: Cliff Avril (DE; 11 SCK); Ndamukong “Stomp” Suh (DT; 36 TCK; 4 SCK)
Rookie to Watch: Ryan Broyles (WR; Oklahoma) - Although recovering from a torn ACL and potentially missing the beginning of the season, Broyles could be an excellent slot receiver and should make CBs play honest on Megatron.

The Lions were the breakout team last season, making the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Five of the Lions last seven games are at home this season. Jahvid Best can be a sleeper running back this season IF he can stay concussed free. Hopefully Matthew Stafford will stay healthy too, along with new potential victim of the Madden Curse Calvin Johnson. It’s a shame that the Lions are in the NFC North, because this team will have to get through the Bears and Packers to return to the playoffs. They will be fun to watch though.

4. Minnesota Vikings (5-11)
Head Coach: Leslie Frazier (3rd season w/ Vikings; 3 years total exp.)
Quarterback: Christian Ponder (13 TD, 13 INT, 1853 Yds, 54.3 Cmp%)
Running Back: Adrian “Fight Club?” Peterson (970 Yds, 12 TD); Toby Gerhart (531 Yds, 1 TD; 23 Rec, 190 Yds, 3 TD)
Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin (87 Rec, 967 Yds, 6 TD); Greg Childs (R); Jerome “Flip and Flop” Simpson (50 Rec, 725 Yds, 4 TD; suspended first three games)
Tight End: Kyle Rudolph (26 Rec, 249 Yds, 3 TD)
Defensive Player: Jared “Hunter” Allen (DE; 22 SCK, 1 INT)
Rookie to Watch: Matt Kalil (OT; USC) - I know I said no love for the O-line, but he will start immediately for the offense and is crucial for the offensive production of Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder.

Nap time for the Minnesota cheerleaders.

The Vikings are recovering from a 3-13 campaign last season. But more importantly, star player Adrian Peterson is recovering from a torn ACL/MCL that was suffered on Christmas Eve. If he can’t recover in time for the beginning of the season, Minnesota’s offense is in a heap of trouble. Former Heisman Doak Walker Award winner Toby Gerhart may be the starting running back Week 1, with Christian Ponder praying for Adrian to get healthy soon. The defense needs to allow less than 28 points/game (31st last season) to be competitive. 

Next up: NFC South. Will be published by Tuesday, 9 pm. Now go around and use big words, for that may result in getting a beer, like adoxography.