Green Bay Packers: 4-3
The Packers skill positions on offense will be high on everyone’s fantasy football draft board. The unit put up points in droves a year ago and should be a force once again. Aaron Rodgers is an elite QB and the team addressed – and upgraded – one of the few areas of weakness in 2009, the offensive line.
The defense significantly improved under DC Dom Capers and will be an attacking unit once again. DE Johnny Jolley’s suspension will hurt from a personnel standpoint, but there’s more than enough talent to be one of the better units in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings: 7-5
An ill fated last second pass by Brett Favre in the NFC Championship Game cost the Vikings a chance to advance and probably win the Super Bowl. Entering 2010, Favre is still playing the “I might retire game,” but he’ll be back. The offense is littered with talent across the board and this is one of the few organizations where the talent can overcome the mediocrity of its head coach (Brad Childress).
On defense, Leslie Frazier possesses a keen defensive mind and has the players necessary to run his style of defense. With the probably return of MLB EJ Henderson, who was lost to a bad knee injury late in the season, expect this team to remain one of the elite.
Chicago Bears: 16-5
The Bears were busy in the offseason. In Free Agency, they landed prize DE Julius Peppers, and they added two new coordinators to the coaching staff: OC Mike Martz and DC Rod Marinelli. On offense, the Bears have some talent. The biggest issue will be whether the offensive line can pass block for QB Jay Cutler and open up holes for RB Matt Forte, who proved to be a bust in 2009.
QB Jay Cutler’s penchant for making reckless throws could be on full display if OC Mike Martz, known for exposing his QBs to opposing pass rushes, doesn’t tighten up his pass blocking schemes. The defense should be a competitive unit this year but Rod Marinelli has never called plays during a game, so it remains to be seen how effective he will be.
Detroit Lions: 15-1
Things are slowly getting better in Detroit, but not yet to the point of competing for anything above 3rd place. And even that’s probably a tall order at this point. On offense, QB Matt Stafford will improve in year two and he has plenty to work with at the skill positions, starting with superstar WR Calvin Johnson.
The offensive line is still the biggest concern on offense. The defensive picture is less certain but 1st round selection DT Ndamukong Suh provides hope. 4-6 wins appears to be this team’s ceiling in 2010.
Pro Football 101 Betting Strategy:
In a move which goes somewhat against the grain, we’re placing our football bet on the Minnesota Vikings at 7 – 5, rather than the favored Green Bay Packers. The main reason is the Packers opponents. The 2nd place schedule they must play is in our minds more difficult than the 1st. The Ravens, Niners and Falcons are all going to be tougher in 2010 than the Bengals, Saints and Cardinals. And a 140 percent return on your money for the defending NFC North Champs is not too shabby.
