NFL 2006: NFC North Projections

The Chicago Bears suffocating defense carried them throughout the 2005 season, as they won the NFC North division for the first time since 2001. Their 11-5 record was enough to warrant a first round by in the NFC playoffs. Lamentably, the Bears were defeated at home by the Carolina Panthers in the NFC divisional game.

The Bears return in 2006 as the top rated defense in the NFL. Linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs combined for 128 tackles and 8 interceptions in 2005. Defensive lineman Adewale Ogunleye recorded ten sacks for the Bears.

The defensive backfield will be led by Charles Tillman and Mike Brown.

The Bears offense was considered rather feeble in 2005, as quarterback Rex Grossman spent fourteen games on the sidelines. Grossman has potential, but he is injury plagued and has yet to really get an opportunity to showcase his aptitude. If Grossman can stay healthy, and he becomes the solid quarterback that the Bears expect him to be, this offense will improve significantly.

Running backs Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones will allocate carries for the Bears in 2006. The receiving core will consist of veteran Mushin Muhammand and Bernard Berrian.

A 13-3 record may seem impracticable, but the Bears are in possibly the weakest division in the NFC, maybe the entire NFL. With any enhancement in their offense, a 13-3 record is pragmatic. Their defense should remain atop the NFL.

2. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)

If the Chicago Bears stammer at all in 2006, the Minnesota Vikings could become the beneficiary. The Mike Tice era, as well as the Daunte Culpepper era is no more. The Vikings hired new head coach Brad Childress, and traded their former three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper to the Miami Dolphins. The Vikings will start 15-year veteran Brad Johnson at the quarterback position.

Johnson began his NFL career in Minnesota back in 1992. Last season, after Johnson was incorporated into the starting lineup after Culpepper's knee injury, the Vikings appeared much more in sync as an offense. With Culpepper as the starter, the Vikings were 2-5, and with Johnson, the Vikings were 7-2.

The Vikings acquired running back Chester Taylor from the Baltimore Ravens. Taylor spent most of his time in Baltimore as Jamal Lewis' understudy. The Vikings are hoping that he flourishes as lead running back.

The receiving core will consist of Marcus Robinson and Troy Williamson. Koren Robinson, who was expected to become the Vikings lead receiver, is in trouble with the law after he was ticketed for drunk driving. The future of K. Robinson isn't as bright as it once was.

Last season, the Vikings defense was below average, and the same is expected in 2006.

The Vikings are likely the only team in the NFC North that could dethrone the Chicago Bears.

3. Detroit Lions (7-9)

The Detroit Lions made several off-season amendments as an endeavor to improve a franchise that has struggled virtually the entire 21st century.

The Lions signed quarterback Jon Kitna back in March as the new starter. Kitna is a 10-year veteran who has spent time in Seattle and Cincinnati. Kitna's finest season was with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003, ironically the season before he was benched for Carson Palmer. Kitna should give the Lions dependability at the quarterback position, something that they could not get from Joey Harrington, Mike McMahon, or Jeff Garcia.

Kitna will have a solid receiving core led by Roy Williams and Corey Bradford. Kevin Jones will be the principal halfback for the Lions. Williams, Bradford, and Jones have yet to really demonstrate their full potential.

The Detroit Lions will slightly improve from 2005, but they are not a playoff quality team.

4. Green Bay Packers (4-12)

It's unfortunate that what could be Brett Favre's final season in the NFL could be spent in the NFC North cellar.

Favre's 2005 season was a disaster to say the least. He threw a league-high 29 interceptions and his quarterback rating was a mere 70.9, the lowest of his tenure in Green Bay. Favre will likely improve in 2006, especially if wide receivers Donald Driver and Robert Ferguson remain healthy.

Ahman Green will return as the Packers primary running back, but last season he missed 11 games due to an injury.

On the defensive end, the Packers completed two noteworthy off-season acquisitions as they signed former Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson, and drafted linebacker A.J. Hawk in the first round.

If the Packers offensive core- Driver, Ferguson, Bubba Franks, and Green evade any serious injury, the Packers could be headed for a .500 season. But that may be as far as the 2006 Green Bay Packers can go.