NFL 2008: Who Will Win the NFC North?

In 2008, it's looking like things are about to get interesting in the NFC North. This was initially predicted to be a close division, and whoever did the predicting hit the nail on the head. Every team in the division (except the Detroit Lions of course) is right now mediocre, but capable of playing good football. All three, the Bears, the Packers, and the Vikings, have a legitimate shot to disrupt in the playoffs.

What makes me think any one of them have this shot? Well, the Chicago Bears knocked off the Indianapolis Colts in the RCA dome in the first week of the season, had two tough overtime losses to good Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers teams, and almost got the best of the undefeated Tennessee Titans in week nine. Their quarterback has show flashes of ability that Chicago hasn't seen in a long time. But the bad news for the Bears is that their trademark defense has been badly underperforming the past few games. The Green Bay Packers came even closer to beating the Titans than the Bears did, and laid a smack down on Chicago in week eleven. Additionally, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense have been consistently putting points on the board. The problem is that the team as a whole is inconsistent. The Minnesota Viknings, meanwhile have played well for the most part outside of the NFC North. Within the division, however, they are barely squeaking by. This will hurt their chances in the long run.

There is still enough time for one of these teams to break out and start playing madmen, and I have a strong feeling it will be either the Bears or the Packers. The Vikings are simply just too inconsistent, and have just about no quality wins. That being said, the fact that all three are five and five makes them all hard to figure out. One week one of them looks like they've turned the corner and are going to break away from the pack, the next it seems that they will be lucky to stay in contention. In essence, anyone's guess is as good as mine.

My prediction: If they can adjust the scheme and fix the defense, the Chicago Bears have the best chance of squeaking out the division. Their second half schedule is a little easier than the first. Keep an eye out for the Packers at the Bears in week 16. That game may end up deciding who wins the NFC North.