2012 NFC North Preview

NFC North

Review are in order of final standings in 2011

1. Packers (15-1): - The Packers did everything almost perfect, winning at will and dominating all opponents they've faced. Well all except one. Lately, when it comes to playoff football, Lambeau Field and Giants: The Packers don't fare so well. Eli's Giants nipped the Packers again in the playoffs and the Packers great season came to an end just like that. Well the question on this team is can the Packers continue their dominate ways as they did last season?
2. Lions (10-6): - Well for Detroit, this is the first time since 1999 they had a winning record and they could play in the playoffs like its 1999. Well yea, the Lions have come a long way from the 0-16 season that plagued them a few seasons ago. Now with a young, talented and dominating core of players, the next step is to win the division and have a home playoff game for the first time in 20 years. Can the Lions repeat their winning season again and contend for the NFC North title in 2012?
3. Bears (8-8): - Well if the NFL had a 10-game schedule, the Bears would have made the playoffs last season. However, they would not do much after that, considering that they lost QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte in the final stretch of the season. 7-3 was the Bears record when Cutler went down and a week later Forte got hurt and the Bears season went with them. The Bears would of have a team that could of made such a playoff run as did the Giants did last year, had they stayed healthy with their star players. The Bears in the off-season gave Cutler a some brand new toys the play with in that offense, including a toy he once had in Denver: WR Brandon Marshall, who should be a huge upgrade for him. Question for the Bears would be: Will this be the year that Cutler finally take the Bears back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 6 years?
4. Vikings (3-13): - The Vikings could look at 2011 with the first 3 games of the season. After having double digit leads in those games going into or in the 4th quarter, the Vikings lost all 3 games and thus lost their 2011 season. Injuries and ineffectiveness helped paved the way for QB Christian Ponder to take over the helm of this team. Well then as the season of hell continue, it got even worse at the end of the season: RB Adrian Peterson blows out his knee the second to the last game of the season. Vikings are at the process of rebuilding, but this rebuild project have been put on hold over the last few years until this season. They must spend this season seeing if the young players they've drafted over the last few years can mesh and produce wins....not give them away. So the main questions for the Vikings is: Will AP be the same RB he was before the knee injury? Will Ponder be able to take the next step to lead this Vikings team to a championship someday? 

2012 NFC North Champion: Chicago Bears

CHI: (11-5)
GB: (10-6)
DET: (9-7)
MIN: (8-8)