There might not be a more competitive or better division in the NFL than the NFC North coming into the 2012 NFL Season. At least on paper. The Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears are all expected not only to be playoff contenders, but potential Super Bowl teams.
Green Bay won 15 games during the regular season in 2011, but dropped an egg in the playoffs with a loss in their first game. It goes to show how difficult it is to repeat a Super Bowl title, and how catching fire at the right time is key. Thus, the New York Giants wound up winning the Super Bowl as the No.5 seed, similar to the Packers the season before as the No.6 seed in the NFC.
But coming into the 2012 season, the target is definitely on the backs of the Packers, who have been pegged as the Super Bowl favorites. And why shouldn’t they be? Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the league, and they have playmakers on both sides of the ball. Will they win 15 games again? Hard to say. But we can bank on the fact that Green Bay will be in the hunt for the playoffs and a berth in the Super bowl in New Orleans. But the NFC North will be full of talent.
The Detroit Lions made the playoffs last season for the first time in what seemed like decades. But there is no question that Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and company have something brewing in Detroit. It’s one thing to do it one season though, but something different to keep it going. Many believe that the Lions will be a team to stay contenders for years to come with the corps of young talent on the roster led by the aforementioned players.
The Chicago Bears looked primed to make a playoff charge in 2011, but an injury to quarterback Jay Cutler derailed that. Cutler missed the final few weeks of the season, and watched as the Bears’ playoff hopes were dashed. But he is healthy this season, with running back Matt Forte locked into a new contract. Things definitely look on the up and up for Chicago. That defense always seems to be solid, and if the offense can start putting up points, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
The Minnesota Vikings seem to get lost in translation in the NFC North talk, mainly because of the poor season in 2011. Combine that with the ACL injury to Adrian Peterson, and there are just too many questions surrounding the Vikings for any high expectations to be set. A lot more will be know about this team after the first few games of the season.
We can look forward to a lot of great games out of the NFC North this season, and don’t be surprised if at least two, or perhaps even three teams reach the postseason.