It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The kickoff to the 2011 NFL season is about 10 days aways so it’s time to weigh in on my NFL preview and predictions. Before I tell you who I see as this years Super Bowl champs, single season award winners and big mid season signings, I’ll be breaking down each division in football starting with the NFC North. Home of the 2010 super bowl champion Green Bay Packers. I’ll start in my opinion from worst to first.
Minnesota Vikings:
2010: 6-10 2011: 8-8
Even with the addition of Donovan McNabb I believe this Division is too stacked to see the Viks winning more than 8 games. A Week 10 matchup against rival Green Bay could be a big game for McNabb if they want to prove me wrong.New head coach Leslie Frazier will serve his first full season as the head shot caller and will rely heavily on pro bowl running back Adrian Peterson due to the losses of big playmakers Sidney Rice (Seahawks) and Ray Edwards (Falcons).
Chicago Bears 2010: 11-5 2011: 9-7
Despite hosting the NFC Championship game last year I expect the bears will miss the playoffs this year. Mike Martz has new weapons in former cowboys Roy Williams & Marion Barber but with the lost of center Olin Kreutz (Saints) & a shaky offensive line, Jay Culter wouldn’t have time to make those big plays Martz loves to run. Chicago’s Defense is good but not great and the window is closing for them. They will travel to Green Bay on Christmas night in a game that could play a huge role in the NFC playoff picture.
Green Bay Packers
2010: 10-6 2011: 10-6
I honestly don’t see the Pack falling off too much this year but they won’t repeat or win that division. Yes I said no repeat. Even with the return of Finley and Grant I want to say the Pack finish 9-7 suffering from a Super Bowl hangover but they have a weak schedule and should win ten games. I believe opposing teams will be much more aware of Clay Matthews this year and we wont see Aaron Rodgers flexing the belt to often this year. The biggest game for the cheeseheads will be in 2012 on January 1 as they host the Detroit Lions in a game that will decide the NFC North division winner.
Detroit Lions: NFC North Champs
2010:6-10 2011:10-6
Two Words describe why the Lions will win this division. Ndamukong Suh. Head Coach Jim Schwartz has been leading and preparing his team for this moment and the time is now. If Matt Stafford can stay healthy this will be a top 10 offense with weapons Megatron, Pettigrew ,Burleson and Jarvis Best. Not to mention a defensive line that can easily be the best in football. The draft was a gift and a curse to the Lions who drafted Nick Fairly, Mikel Leshoure and Titus Young respectively and all three have already been sidelined due to injuries. The Lions key game will also be in 2012 when they travel to Lambeau and beat the Pack 31-28 in a shootout to win the Division.
2011 Playoff teams: Lions & Packers
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