If you’re taking a double take of the headline for this story, you read it correctly the first time. The NFC North has emerged, in theory, as the best division in football. Last season, the Chicago Bears played the Green Bay Packers for the NFC championship; both teams are from the NFC North, and I expect both teams to be back in the playoffs this season. They’re not the only teams I expect to make it into the playoffs, however. They’ll be joined by a new, fresh Lions team that is looking to cash in on years of shattered dreams and broken promises.
The Packers will kick off the NFL season tonight as they play host to the New Orleans Saints. There’s really not many things that the Packers don’t do well. Sure, they could run the ball better, but they make up for it by throwing the ball exceptionally well. And sure, they could defend the run better, but again, they defend the pass so well that teams can’t convert those 3rd and long situations. We all hear that it’s difficult for a reigning Super Bowl champion to make it back to the playoffs the following year, but this season, it should be a sure thing.
The Packers nearly missed the playoffs in 2010, but they were able to sneak in, and they proceeded to handle every team that was thrown their way, including the reigning divisional champions, the Chicago Bears. The Bears are not as stacked as I believe the Packers are. The Bears have an aging defense that will need to be upgraded in the near future, but it still inspires fear in the hearts of their opponents. Jay Cutler will have to step up once again for the Bears. There’s no doubt that the Bears’ offense will determine how far they go in terms of a playoff run. They’ll need big things from Matt Forte to help keep the pressure off of Cutler and the passing game.
Rarely do we see a division field three teams in the playoffs. It’s the maximum amount that is allowed by the NFL’s rules, and teams tend to beat each other up within the division too much for it to occur, but I think this division, this year, may be one of those rare exceptions. The Detroit Lions have been working towards the goal of a postseason birth since their 0-16 campaign. Since then, they’ve cleaned house, and they’ve brought in big time talent with their top picks. Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, and Matthew Stafford will lead the Lions’ efforts to make it to the playoffs.
Fairley has been battling a foot injury, and he did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Kyle Vandenbosch also missed practice on Wednesday, and those losses would certainly hurt the Lions’ early-season pass rush, but in the long run, they have a stellar defense that can get after the quarterback, and they know how to stuff runners between the tackles.
The biggest question the Lions face is Matthew Stafford’s health. Yes, he’s healthy right now, but he’s had the label “injury prone” applied to him, and the Lions need him to be healthy to make the playoffs in such a tough division. If Stafford can stay clean in the pocket, I’d look for the Lions to win a lot of games, and they’ll be making a playoff run in December.
Divisions very rarely put three teams in the playoffs, and when a division does, it’s hard to argue against it as the NFL’s best division. These three teams all have very good rosters, and they’ll all be making big splashes in December. That is why the NFC North is the NFL’s best division. Mark it down.
