NFL Preview: NFC NORTH

The NFC North has Favre again, Jay Cutler, Rogers making his claim and those fun-loving Lions. How will it end up?

1. Green Bay Packers (12-4): Aaron Rogers is the real deal. This may be the season he tries to win an MVP award. At the very least, he will be good enough that the Pack can start forgetting about old whats-his-name on the Vikings. The only question is the Defense, but I think it will be much improved over last years.

2. Minnesota Vikings (10-6): A wild-card awaits the Vikings and the new captain of their longboats, Mr. Favre. I think his arm should last long enough, mainly because all he has to do is throw screens and hand the ball off to his amazing running backs, Chester Taylor and the explosive Adrian Peterson. The Williams Wall up front will help them take down other opponents, and a split with the Pack will take them to the playoffs. This all assumes, however, that Favre doesn't swashbuckle his way to a late season collapse.

3. Chicago Bears (7-9): Jay Cutler has a rocket arm, but he doesn't have anyone to throw too. Their offensive line is only average at best, so he won't have that much time and Matt Forte won't have huge holes to run through. The defense is also getting older, and Tommie Harris is still injured. I think that it will take a few more pieces to get the Bears into true contenders.

4. Detroit Lions (4-12): They are the Lions. They won't win a division game. But they can beat the Rams, Seahawks, Bengals and Browns. and four wins is a lot more than zero, right?