This is one of few divisions that I honestly believe can be won by three different teams. The Vikings will ride their triple threat running game and deep ball passing game, while the Packers will rely on gunslinger Favre and “Batman” Green. The Lions are hoping for some fireworks out of their bevy of young offensive skill players and the Bears are probably just hoping to survive. Minnesota (10-6, tied first place)

By all rights the Vikings should have gone 11-5 last year, but trips out West killed them as they lost at San Diego and on the last day of the season in Arizona on a desperation fourth down pass. They will hope to help out the #6 scoring offense with a little defense. The draft produced an impact DE at #20 in the form of Kenechi Udeze, and they also selected LB Dontarrious Thomas (#48) and DE Darrion Scott (#88) all of whom should help the team. Free agent acquisition Antoine Winfield will start at cornerback and he is a big improvement. Another shrewd move was getting WR Marcus Robinson who could give them the alternative to Moss that they have looked for since Carter’s retirement. They already have a franchise quarterback in Culpepper and the best trio of running backs in the NFL (Bennett, Smith and Williams). When you can run a team over and then strike with the deep ball to Moss it is easy to see why this team puts up over 400 points a season regularly. I think this is a nice rebound season for them.

Green Bay (10-6, tied first place)

For a team staring the retirement of Favre square in the face, they aren’t doing much to help him win another ring. The draft produced a pair of corners in Ahmad Carroll (#25) and Joey Thomas (#70) and DT Donnell Washington (#72) but nothing else. Of the 4 players they acquired in free agency, Tim Couch is the only one you have heard of. He provides a bridge between Favre and the player they select in the 2005 draft, but that doesn’t help them win games now. You might be surprised to know that only Kansas City, Indianapolis and St. Louis scored more points than Green Bay last year and one more touchdown would have vaulted them to #2 on that list. They have a solid if not spectacular set of receivers, a good tight end and Ahman Green is pretty close to an elite rusher. However, defensively they are still not very good and that is what costs them in the big games. If Favre retires after this season, which he might if they go 8-8 or worse, this is quickly a 5-11 team at best.

Detroit (7-9, third place)

No two drafted players will have a bigger impact than WR Roy Williams (#7) and RB
Kevin Jones (#30). They blend in with a young, explosive offense that is waiting to explode. Detroit also picked up WR Streets to team up with last year’s #2 overall pick Charles Rogers and form a solid young trio. They also have the quick Hakim meaning they can line up with four wide. Jones will be an instant boost to the dismal running game that ranked dead last in the NFL with 83.6 yards per game. Joey Harrington has two full seasons under his belt at quarterback and seems poised to realize his potential given the weapons at his disposal. The improvement on offense will help the defense, which added LB Teddy Lehman (#37) in the draft and DT Bell and FS Marion in free agency. Center Damien Woody was also acquired from the Pats. Overall, I like this team to be a big surprise and provide plenty of upsets and excitement. If things go right they could wind up fighting for a wild card.

Chicago (4-12, fourth place)

I think they were lucky to finish 7-9 last year and probably won’t be as fortunate this year as they turn the quarterback position over to Rex Grossman, and they dealt away his only real threat in wide receiver Booker. They brought in Lovie Smith as their new head coach to revitalize the defense and used 6 of their 8 draft picks on that side of the ball including a pair of DTs with their first two selections plus DE Ogunleye who they got in the Booker deal. Right now there is simply too much talent in their division for them to compete. I could see them going 0-6 in the North if they stumble in the season opening home game against Detroit. A loss there will surely send them to an 0-4 start as they follow that one with games at Green Bay and Minnesota before Philadelphia comes in. After the bye they get Washington and then travel to Tampa Bay. A 2-4 start would be about the best they can hope for. The schedule does ease up considerably, especially in the final month when they play three consecutive games against teams that won 5 or fewer games last year. Still, they are not going to get out of the cellar this season. In fact, the North is going to be ruled by the dome duo starting in 2005 and continuing for a few seasons.