Well, whether you or I believe that last statement or not, here are my fearless predictions for this years version of the NFC North:

First Place:

Chicago Bears --You have to give Lovie credit for sticking by a QB who, in my opinion, has no business running an NFL offense. If it wasn't for their stifling defense who knows where they would have ended (certainly not the Super Bowl). In the off season they did draft TE Greg Olsen from Miami which should pay immediate dividends for an already poor offense. Other than that, they have basically remained the same. Fortunately for Chicago they are in a non competitive Division. Prediction: The Bears will win this division by default and as a result will get into the playoffs going against a stat that has seen only 1 out of the last 6 Super Bowl losers getting into the playoffs the following year. But, it's one and out for the Bears.

Second Place:

Minnesota Vikings --The Vikings started off red hot last season only to fade after their bye week compiling a 2-8 mark enroute to a 6-10 mark. Even so, they managed to improve both their offensive and defensive performances which are good building blocks with which to work. They also did well in the draft shoring up the offense with the addition of RB Adrian Peterson. Prediction: Minnesota should show some good improvement this season and could squeak into the playoffs within a sub par NFC. I am of the opinion that they are still a year away and will miss the playoffs.

Third Place:

Green Bay Packers --The Packers lost a golden opportunity, at least according to Brett Favre, when they passed on WR Randy Moss. In fact, he was so vocal about the issue that management demanded an apology. The Packers defense improved greatly during the second half of last year and will have to carry them in the early going as Favre gets used to an inexperienced receiving corp. Prediction: The first half of the season will see the Packers struggle as their offense spends time gelling. That will be too late for them to make any moves into the playoffs as they are on the outside looking in once again.

Fourth Place:

Detroit Lions --The Lions come into this campaign knowing that they haven't had a winning season since 2000. They haven't seemed to learn this year either as, once again, they drafted a WR (Calvin Johnson). Don't get me wrong, he is probably the best WR to come down the pike since Jerry Rice but one has to have a QB to get him the ball to be effective. Martz should get the offense to score some points this season but they really did nothing to shore up a rather porous defense. Prediction: Once again it's the Lions at the bottom of the heat in the division as they chalk up another losing season.

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