NFL '13 Preview: NFC North

By Joe Pantorno

What usually is a division steeped in tradition and excitement has been lacking the past few seasons. Well, in the excitement department that is. This season won't be that different as the Packers remain the class of the NFC North. But watch out, there's a lot of promise here.

1. Green Bay Packers

When you have the third best quarterback in the league playing within a division that probably doesn't have another one in the top-10 (yes, even you Matt Stafford), it's safe to say the Packers have the most lethal offense.

Rodgers is one of those quarterbacks that makes the likes of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb look as though they're big-time receivers.

The defense has something to prove this year as they have had a tendency of giving up some big time points. Is this a Super Bowl team? Not likely, but the Packers will go 12-4 and coast through this division.

X-Factor: Eddie Lacy

There were talks that the rook was overweight coming into camp, but he seems to have slimmed down and is a dark horse to have a big season.

The Packers have been lacking a consistent running threat since Ahman Green. They might have something here in Eddie Lacy. Running in a pass-heavy offense, he has an opportunity to put up 800-1,000 yards and look very good doing so.




2. Chicago Bears

The post-Brian Urlacher era is about to begin with a new defensive coordinator, Mel Tucker, trying to adapt to the Bears style of defense, the Tampa 2 scheme instituted by Lovie Smith. There's going to be a period of getting used to things so the Bears might have a real slow start, but they'll pick things up.

I'm still not sold on Jay Cutler as he needs to show that the Bears are capable of being a high-power, passing team with Brandon Marshall and Earl Bennett as his targets. Matt Forte is on the fringe of elite running backs bringing a dual threat of solid rushing and very good receiving out of the backfield. He is coming off an ankle injury and will have to show that it is no concern. The Bears might stage a late-season rally, but they'll go 9-7 and fall short of the playoffs.

X-Factor: DJ Williams

The 10-year vet, formerly with Denver, has the honor of replacing Brian Urlacher at middle linebacker.

Williams comes off a 114 tackle season with two sacks. He's going to have to adapt to a new system with a new team with a lot on his shoulders. If he gets out of the gates well, maybe Chicago won't have such a slow start.






3. Detroit Lions

The Lions are the perfect example of doing something too much isn't necessarily a good thing. Matt Stafford threw the ball 727 times last year. That's ridiculous. Calvin Johnson is the best receiver in football, but when everyone knows what's coming, you're easy to beat.

That's why they went 4-12 last year. Well, that and an atrocious defense helped. The defense doesn't look much better this year. Ndamukong Suh is going to have to behave himself this year as he's anchoring a line that highlights this defense. The line look decent on paper. Now they have to show it.

The Lions will go 7-9, as I'm sure to get exasperated text messages from my dear friend Alex every Sunday.


X-Factor: Reggie Bush

We've been waiting for Reggie Bush to arrive. Last year we caught a glimpse of it while he was on Miami, this year he might just go off.

As the Lions are sure to expand on their running game this season, Bush is lethal catching out of the backfield. He's dynamic and can fit into most offenses.

The Lions could be putting up some big time points if Reggie can spark the magic that made him a superstar at USC.






4. Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson said he's going to rush for 2,500 yards this season. If that happens, then Christian Ponder isn't touching the ball, which isn't great.

The Vikings have picked up Greg Jennings where his experience can help in the development of Ponder and a big target like Kyle Rudolph at tight end can always help.

Jared Allen leads a defense that is changing, but not quite Bears-like changes. Sharrif Floyd and Xavier Rhodes headline new defensive additions that will feature a good amount of youngsters.

The Vikings will go 7-9 with a whole lot of promise.




X-Factor: Christian Ponder

Christian Ponder needs the ball and the Vikings need to make sure Adrian Peterson doesn't take it away from him too much.

I like Ponder, I like his style and I think he's the quarterback of the future. But he NEEDS to throw for 3,000 yards this year. I think everyone in Minnesota will feel a lot better if he can do that. He's pretty efficient and doesn't throw too many interceptions, just 12 last year. He has plenty of options this year, he just needs to throw.