NFC North... with capitol letters. and other observations.

The NFC East is the best division in the conference, but the North is not too far behind with the NFC's Superbowl representative calling it home.

NFC

North

Minnesota Vikings- The team was a 12 men in the huddle and a INT away from going to the Superbowl. 2010 all starts with Farve. If he comes back (he will) the team is a Superbowl contender. If he doesnt the team will win 7-9 games. We'll assume Farve comes back to the OFF that features one of the leagues best RB in Peterson and one of the youngest, deeper WR corp in Rice and Harvin. Farve has ran this OFF for like 15 years so he is perfect guy to be calling the shots. They move the ball very well with Peterson hand offs and 2 yard screens to Harvin where he takes off. Rice took strides last year to make himself a top 12-15 WR in football and the teams primary deep option. TE Shiancoe was the top redzone option outside of Peterson last year and surprised everyone with 11 TDs on 56 rec. Every pos. the Vikings have a weapon and Farve spreads it around like few can.
The DEF is super hard to run on with the Williams up front and Allen and Edwards coming off the edge. The way to score on the Vikings is to pass. 11 picks last year isnt all that impressive. The DEF finishes in the top 5-7 in the league (#1 against the run).
2010: 2-1 at the bye, 10-6 overall

2) Green Bay Packers- Rodgers will be the top QB next year as he has taken strides every year and the OFF line will keep him off his back more this year. Drafted LT Baluga from Iowa. Driver and Jennings is a very dangerous combo at WR and with the advancement of TE Finley, Rodgers has alot of targets. Can RB Grant carry the load and supplement the pass? I think he has a better year with the improved line and I see the Packers playing for a Superbowl.
The DEF is in its second year of the 3-4 and improvement only seems natural. Very hard to run against (#1 last year) and not easy to pass against. They cause havoc forcing a league leading 40 turnovers a year ago with ball hawkers woodson and collins. Mathews III is a star in the making. If the DEF can play like they did a year ago and if the OFF line can keep Rodgers upright the Packers represent the NFC in the Superbowl losing to the Ravens 27-21.
2010: 5-4 at the bye, 9-7 overall. Losing in the Superbowl to the Ravens. Rodgers named MVP of the league.

3) Chicago Bears- Martz has to improve the OFF right? A lack of a clear #1 WR makes me a little skeptical but I like Cutler and the stable of Forte and Taylor in his system. TE Olsen was a star in the making but never really took the next step. Martz doesnt really feature the TE much at all so I dont see him climbing the ladder this year either. I see WR Knox being the team leader for rec. next year with 75.
I like the Peppers signing because I think Peppers in one of those players that likes the big city and bright lights. I expect a career year for him. The DEF isnt what it once was but it still isnt a roll over. Urlacher comes back to flank Briggs (teams best player) and if Harris can bring it on 2-3 downs a series the DEF will be much improved.
2010: 3-4 at the bye, 6-10 overall. One of the worst schedules next year. Lovie Smith loses his job.

4) Detriot Lions- I really like what the Lions have done after Millen set them back a decade. WR Johnson is sick and should go over 1000 yd. next season. Stafford should continue to grow and improve. RB Best will improve the run game that was really one guy last year. Now RB Smith can share carries and maybe play a whole season.
The DEF is vastly improved with Vanden Bosch and Suh up front. They will be passed against since the secondary is young. A much better team headed in the right directoin with the youth movement and front office pulling deals like Vanden Bosch.
2010: 2-4 at the bye, 6-10 overall. Suh Rookie of the Year.



other observations...

MLB trade deadline is awesome. I see Dunn to the Tigers or White Sox. Lilly to the Mets. Webb to the Reds. Oswalt to the Cards. Werth stays. and the biggest of all Fielder to the Red Sox.

T.O. to the Bengals is awesome as well. He is not the Owens that will catch 90 balls for 12 TDs but a 68 rec. 850 yd. 9 TD season is well within his reach with Carson and the improved run game.

Why would strikeforce have Werdum Fedor II so quickly? This makes absolutely so sense to me. Overeem needs to fight someone people have heard of. People have now heard of Werdum.

UFC 117 predictions:

Silva over Sonnen, KO rd. 1

Fitch over Alves, decision, Fight of the Night

Dos Anjos over Guida

Almeida over Hughes

Dos Santos over Nelson (my favorite match up on the card)