2006 NFC North Predictions

nfc north - Chicago Bears predictions

The Bears are 20:1 to win the Super Bowl, 17:2 to win the NFC Championship, and 4:6 to win the NFC North.

A rock solid defense has been the trademark of Bears teams in recent seasons and fans can expect more of the same in 2006. Chicago’s offense is competent, but not much better than that. An improved special teams group should produce better field position, which will give quarterback Rex Grossman shorter marches to put up points.

Grossman will start at the quarterback position, but the Bears have options if he fails to deliver. They paid big bucks to get Brian Griese on board and also have a capable playmaker in Kyle Orton. Orton started last year before being ousted by Grossman right before the playoffs.

Questions have been asked about Grossman’s ability to play an entire season after injuries in recent years, and he will rely heavily on the power running game of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson.

On defense, few teams in the entire NFL can match the Bears. Although not the biggest team, they are young, hungry and have lots of depth. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris leads the front seven, and he gets good support from the likes of Alex Brown, Lance Briggs and last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, Brian Urlacher.

Summing Up: If Chicago’s defense plays up to expectations, they can lead the team to the NFC title. The Bears have a tough schedule, but showed potential to improve last season and will give little away to their opponents each week.

nfc north - Minnesota Vikings predictions

The Vikings are 40:1 to win the Super Bowl, 20:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 3:1 to win the NFC North.

New coach Brad Childress faces an uphill battle steering this inconsistent and undisciplined bunch into the playoffs. On the bright side, it could be the start of a new era with Childress taking the reins, and Brad Johnson starting at quarterback following the departure of Daunte Culpepper to Miami.

Johnson will start at quarterback, but will be kept honest by second pick Tarvaris Jackson, a product from Alabama State with a growing reputation.

High hopes are held for guard Steve Hutchinson, a very expensive free agent from Seattle, as well as another newcomer in running back Chester Taylor. With wide receiver Nate Burleson moving on, it’s crucial for Troy Williamson to step up. Williamson was the 7th pick overall in the 2005 draft, but experienced a disappointing rookie season.

The defense also boasts some changes, most notably a new coordinator in Mike Tomlin of Tampa Bay. It remains to be seen if he can replicate his success there, but he has plenty to work with in Minnesota.

Tomlin will be keen to make the most of Pat Williams, last year’s defensive MVP, and highly-rated defensive tackle Kevin Williams. Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze are both former number one picks, and now need to start producing at a high level.

Summing Up: Childress is a man with a reputation of “wielding a big stick”, and that is just what’s needed here. The potential is there, but a tough early draw with Washington, Carolina and Chicago in the opening three weeks will be a good guide to how the new-look Vikings will perform.

nfc north - Detroit Lions predictions

The Lions are 65:1 to win the Super Bowl, 40:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 6:1 to win the NFC North.

Detroit has the worst record in the NFL over the past five years, and despite some major changes, it’s hard to see too much changing in the coming campaign.

The Lions boast a rookie coach in Rod Marinelli and two quarterbacks in Josh McCown and Jon Kitna who are trying to supplant Joey Harrington. Kitna has been named the starter and he has to be excited about playing in coordinator Mike Martz’ offense.

The downside for Kitna is that he is dealing with an inconsistent receiving corps. Mike Williams has had a lot of disciplinarian problems, while Charles Rogers, seen as a great prospect a couple of years ago, hasn’t delivered and has battled substance abuse problems.

That puts the heat on receiver Roy Williams, and running back Kevin Jones to carry the offense. That is not an easy task.

The Lions’ defense has its good days in recent years, but has a bad habit of failing to get it done on a consistent basis. Anchoring the line are two established performers in Shaun Rogers and James Hall. Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey bring plenty of speed to the linebacker group, but both enter the season under injury clouds, another bad sign.

Summing Up: Kitna has not been a full-time starter since 2003, but if the Lions can build confidence with early wins, then they could make some noise. Realistically though, too many question marks surround this team to make them a threat.

nfc north - Green Bay Packers predictions

The Packers are 50:1 to win the Super Bowl, 40:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 6:1 to win the NFC North.

Few players in the NFL will be under more pressure this season than Packers’ quarterback Brett Favre. A future Hall of Famer, Favre was expected to retire over the summer after his worst season, which featured a crushing 29 interceptions.

Rookie coach Mike McCarthy will be desperately banking on Favre turning back the clock to his glory days, and all eyes will be on the veteran playmaker.

Question marks on the Packers’ receivers won’t make Favre’s job any easier. He’s lost Javon Walker, one of his best weapons last season, who was traded to Denver. Favre will now have to rely heavily on Donald Driver and the inconsistent Robert Ferguson.

Defense was a hallmark of the Packers last season as they finished in the top 10 in the NFL despite a lack of big names. Unfortunately, the man behind that success, Jim Bates, has left the club.

Defensive end Aaron Kampman starred on defense last year, and he will need to play well again this year to hold the team together High hopes are also held out for first round draft choice A.J. Hawk as he is seen as an excellent compliment to Nick Barnett at linebacker.

Summing Up: With Favre under the microscope and having little to work with on offense, it is hard to see much success for the Packers. The defense should be solid once again and it is going to need to be to give them a chance at a winning season.

Click any of the following links for more NFL 2006 Division Predictions for the NFL 2006 Betting Season.

2006 AFC West Predictions
2006 AFC South Predictions
2006 AFC North Predictions
2006 AFC East Predictions
2006 NFC West Predictions
2006 NFC South Predictions
2006 NFC East Predictions
2006 NFC North Predictions

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