Tuesday, August 2, 2011

NFL Musings: NFC North


Green Bay Packers

So the Eagles are the new favorites to win the Super Bowl, eh? Even though they have new guys with unproven chemistry, and guys who are holding out? Even though the Packers are returning basically the same team that won the Super Bowl last year, with the addition of all those guys they lost to injury last season? If you say so.

I still think, especially with the advantage the lockout will give to veteran teams, that the Packers have as good a chance to repeat as a fan could ask for.

Minnesota Vikings

Well, I think the Donovan McNabb trade was a good idea for them. It still doesn't make them scary at all, but they won't be the utter, utter shambles of a team I was expecting back in March. Not that McNabb 2011 is going to be anything like Favre 2009.

2009 isn't coming back, Vikes. I think it's time you made your peace with that.

Detroit Lions


Man, I wish the Lions were in a different division from the Packers (or better yet, different conference) so I could root for them harder. I just love a scrappy underdog! I hate Nick Fairley, because he's a dirty cheater, but what a great draft choice that was for them. I love the idea of drafting to your strengths instead of your weaknesses. I'm not looking forward to Aaron Rodgers going against that D-line twice. On the other hand . . .

Chicago Bears


Jay Cutler also has to face the Lions twice, and with much crappier protection. The Bears are now my pick for Biggest Mess in the division. Their offensive line was already pretty terrible, and they only seem to have made it worse in the offseason. And filling their depth chart with Cowboys cast-offs probably isn't going to help distract their fan base. I know they made the conference championship game last year, but let's just say I'll be real surprised if they make it back there.