The NFC North spent the 2013 off-season trying to make sure the Green Bay Packers don’t win their third straight division title.
The Chicago Bears replaced longtime coach Lovie Smith with the offensive-minded Marc Trestman (remember him?) after missing the post-season five of the last six seasons, and hope a retooled offensive line will help Jay Cutler prove himself in a contract year.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings added talent on both sides of the ball in the hopes that Adrian Peterson won’t have to put the team on his shoulders again in 2013.
The Detroit Lions failed to add any receivers to take the pressure off Calvin Johnson, but brought in Reggie Bush to answer their never-ending question mark at running back and boast a vicious defensive front.
But it still all comes down to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
Despite the loss of Greg Jennings, Rodgers still leads one of the league’s most potent offences, who may have added a legitimate running game as well.
The North is still Green Bay’s to lose.
BIGGEST IMPACT ADDITION
Chicago: Jermon Bushrod, LT
The Bears’ offensive line has done a poor job of protecting Cutler since he joined the team in 2009. So Chicago GM Phil Emery gave Bushrod big money to come to the Windy City and protect his quarterback. With Bushrod anchoring the line, the group has shown marked improvement in the pre-season.
Detroit: Reggie Bush, RB
The Lions have had serious problems at running back for years. In fact, no Lion has recorded a 1,000 yard season since Kevin Jones in 2004. Detroit brought in Bush with the hopes of ending all of that. Bush proved in Miami he’s more than just a passing threat, racking up nearly 2,000 yards in two seasons.
Green Bay: David Bakhtiari, LT
With the loss of left tackle Bryan Bulaga to a torn ACL early in training camp, Bakhtiari, a fourth-round pick out of Colorado, has become an impact addition on the Packers’ offensive line that gave up 51 sacks in 2012. Whether Bakhtiari’s impact will be good or bad remains to be seen.
Minnesota: Greg Jennings, WR
With the loss of Percy Harvin, the Vikings had to get a weapon for Christian Ponder to help relieve some pressure off of Adrian Peterson. While he’s not nearly as dynamic as Harvin, Jennings is a threat all over the field and brings experience to a youthful passing offence in Minnesota.
BIGGEST IMPACT LOSS
Chicago: Brian Urlacher, LB
Urlacher was the face of the Bears’ franchise for 12 seasons and his presence on and off the field is irreplaceable. Chicago brought in former Broncos’ linebacker D.J. Williams to take the place of their long-time leader, but the aging defence will most definitely suffer some separation anxiety early in 2013.
Detroit: Cliff Avril, DE
Even with Avril in the Lions’ lineup, Detroit’s defence still ranked 20th in the NFL in total sacks in 2012. Avril led the team with 9.5 sacks and the Lions will be hard-pressed to replace him. To Detroit’s credit, they drafted Ziggy Ansah in the first round and signed free agents Israel Idonije and Jason Jones but it will be tough to replace Avril.
Green Bay: Charles Woodson, CB
Green Bay’s defence continues to be the blip that holds them back from advancing to another Super Bowl. Their bend-but-don’t-break style gets them through the regular season but always hurts them in the playoffs and the loss of Woodson, with no quality replacement, won’t help.
Minnesota: Percy Harvin, WR
Right now, the Vikings seem to be winning this trade. As Harvin sits on the Seahawks’ sidelines with yet another injury, Minnesota has replaced him with an experienced vet and an exciting rookie. But Harvin’s dynamic, play-making abilities will no doubt be missed in the Twin Cities.
WHO NEEDS TO STEP UP?
Chicago: Jay Cutler, QB
With an upgraded offensive line, versatile options in the passing game and Trestman calling the plays, Cutler has no excuses for poor play in 2013. Heading into the final year of his contract with Chicago, the Vanderbilt product must prove he can lead this team or he’ll be looking for a new home come spring.
Detroit: Any receiver not name Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson’s 1,964 receiving yards accounted for almost 40 per cent of the Lions’ passing offence in 2012. The next three leading receivers after Johnson were two tight ends and a running back, and none had more than 570 yards. Detroit needs better production out of their other receivers, it’s that simple.
Green Bay: Jermichael Finley, TE
Imagine if the Packers’ already explosive passing game added a big-time tight end to the mix? Well that’s what Finley was supposed to be, but the 26-year-old has failed to live up to expectations. This is a make-or-break season for Finley, who just so happens to be in a contract year.
Minnesota: Christian Ponder, QB
Much like Cutler, 2013 will be a defining year for the Vikings’ former first-round pick. Ponder has a legitimate No. 1 receiver in Jennings and enticing passing options all over the field. With Adrian Peterson not getting any younger, the Vikings are looking to win now and if Ponder can’t get them there, they’ll look elsewhere.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
Chicago: Henry Melton, DT
Fresh off his first trip to the Pro Bowl, Melton is now the driving force behind the Bears defensive line and may be the team’s best player on defence. The former Longhorn is expected to be ready for the opener after suffering a concussion and will emerge as one of the best defensive tackles in the game.
Detroit: Nick Fairley, DT
Fairley and his partner at defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh, combined for 13.5 sacks in 2012 and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Some of the league’s top quarterbacks have begun to praise Fairley, who offers incredible speed and agility for a 300-pounder.
Green Bay: Randall Cobb, WR
With Greg Jennings out of the picture, Cobb is expected to make an even larger impact than he did in his impressive sophomore campaign. The dynamic Kentucky product is a threat through the air, on the ground and on special teams and could blossom into one of the league’s top weapons.
Minnesota: Harrison Smith, FS
Harrison ranked third on the Vikings in tackles, tied for first in interceptions with three, and returned two of those for touchdowns in his rookie season. The Notre Dame product is solid in pass coverage and has big playmaking ability. If he improves against the run, Harrison will make his first trip to Hawaii this season.
KEY ROOKIE
Chicago: Kyle Long, RG
A questionable pick to some, Long has launched himself into the Bears’ starting lineup at right guard. The former Oregon Duck, drafted 20th overall by Chicago, is considered by many experts to be the 2013 class’ most impressive rookie thus far and has done much to improve Chicago’s pourous offensive line.
Detroit: Ziggy Ansah, DE
Lining up next to one of the NFL’s best tandems at defensive tackle (Suh and Fairley), the Lions are hoping their raw first-round pick will be able to boost a defensive line that needs to dominate in order for Detroit’s defence to play well. By all accounts, Ansah is well on his way.
Green Bay: Eddie Lacy, RB
The Packers drafted Lacy in the second round of this year’s draft with the hope he can end the running back carousel at Lambeau. A season-ending injury to DuJuan Harris has pushed Lacy into the starting role and his power and quick moves have drawn comparisons to former Ravens back Jamal Lewis.
Minnesota: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR
The dynamic wide receiver out of Tennessee already has a lot on his shoulders, brought in to replace Harvin and donning Randy Moss’ No. 84, but seems up to the task. The raw rookie has already shown flashes of brilliance in the pre-season and has impressed coaches with his grasp of the offence.
NFC NORTH PREDICTIONS
Despite positive moves from all three teams trying to catch up to the Packers, it’s going to be tough for the Bears, Vikings and Lions to keep pace with Rodgers and the dynamic Green Bay offence.
Cutler and the Bears will take a step forward thanks to a retooled offensive line and could make a push for a Wild Card spot if the defence can continue to play tough.
The Lions won’t be able to compete in this division unless someone other than Johnson can contribute in a big way (cough, Reggie Bush, cough). The Vikings have the same problem; Peterson cannot be solely depended on to keep Minnesota in the running.
1) Green Bay 11-5
2) Chicago 10-6
3) Detroit 8-8
4) Minnesota 7-9
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