PaCkFan_n_MD
08-23-2006, 04:53 PM
By Steve Silverman
Special to NFL.com
(With the NFL regular season set to kick off on Thursday, Sept. 7, NFL.com has put together an eight-part series previewing each team division by division. Here is the NFC North.)
Overview
The Chicago Bears made their move last year, dominating the division with a powerful defense and a running game that was able to provide Lovie Smith's team with just enough offense to get to the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Unfortunately for the Bears, the clock struck 12 when they faced the Panthers in the divisional playoffs at home. Unable to contain the explosive Steve Smith, they played come-from-behind for 60 minutes and dropped a 29-21 decision and Carolina went on to the NFC Championship Game.
The Vikings had the most nightmarish of starts last year. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper lost his accuracy with the ball, his good name on a cruise ship and then suffered a season-ending knee injury. Minnesota came back to finish 9-7 and worked itself into playoff contention, but the Vikings lost two crucial end-of-season games to Pittsburgh and Baltimore and fell short.
The Lions continued to struggle in 2005 and that proved to be the end for head coach Steve Mariucci. Despite a boatload of talent at the skill positions -- especially wide receiver -- the Lions were simply too soft and undisciplined to make a run at the postseason.
Green Bay's fall from grace was precipitous. After four straight seasons with double-digit wins, the Packers lost their edge and fell to 4-12. Quarterback Brett Favre struggled from start to finish and threw 29 interceptions. Favre was unsure about his future, but he decided to come back in 2006 and try to right the ship.
Movers and shakers
Smith starts his third season as head coach of the Bears, but the other three head coaches are all rookies. Brad Childress takes over in Minnesota after honing his skills as the Eagles' offensive coordinator. However, don't expect the Vikings to use the West Coast offense. Childress will attempt to use a power running game and a downfield passing game to re-ignite the Minnesota passing game.
Detroit head coach Rod Marinelli is all about defense, discipline and toughness. He hired former Rams head coach Mike Martz as his offensive coordinator -- a move that could pay huge dividends for a franchise that has seen nothing but misery since the start of the 2000 season. If Martz and free-agent QB Jon Kitna can develop a rapport, the offense could get a significant jumpstart.
Mike McCarthy takes over for Mike Sherman and will try to simplify the offense in an effort to get Favre back on track. The most important thing for Favre will be a return to form of RB Ahman Green, who suffered a major quadriceps injury in October. The Packers are also hoping that rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk is the do-it-all defensive player he was at Ohio State.
What to expect
Chicago: The Bears believe this is their season, but they need QB Rex Grossman to stay healthy and show that he can become a leader and accurate passer. The Bears have been successful because of their defense and the offense needs to step up and carry its end. If Grossman struggles, look for free-agent pickup Brian Griese to get the call. He has recovered from the torn knee ligament suffered last year in Tampa Bay and is a very accurate passer.
Minnesota: The Bears are on the cusp of taking charge in the division, but they could get a major challenge from the Vikings. Brad Johnson did a solid job last year after Culpepper was hurt and the addition of power back Chester Taylor should give the running game a lift. If Childress can demonstrate consistency and toughness and his team follows his lead, the Vikings could give the Bears a run.
Detroit: The Lions are trying to forge a new identity and the key may be Martz's ability to build a cohesive offense. Marinelli trusts Martz to do just that and he is giving his coordinator the freedom to do exactly as he pleases. Most rookie coaches might be hesitant to do that, but Marinelli is clearly secure in his position.
Green Bay: All eyes will be on Favre in Green Bay to see if he can turn things around and rally the Packers back to respectability. If he can, it will be a notable achievement. If he can't, McCarthy may have a very difficult decision to make concerning the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Special to NFL.com
(With the NFL regular season set to kick off on Thursday, Sept. 7, NFL.com has put together an eight-part series previewing each team division by division. Here is the NFC North.)
Overview
The Chicago Bears made their move last year, dominating the division with a powerful defense and a running game that was able to provide Lovie Smith's team with just enough offense to get to the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Unfortunately for the Bears, the clock struck 12 when they faced the Panthers in the divisional playoffs at home. Unable to contain the explosive Steve Smith, they played come-from-behind for 60 minutes and dropped a 29-21 decision and Carolina went on to the NFC Championship Game.
The Vikings had the most nightmarish of starts last year. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper lost his accuracy with the ball, his good name on a cruise ship and then suffered a season-ending knee injury. Minnesota came back to finish 9-7 and worked itself into playoff contention, but the Vikings lost two crucial end-of-season games to Pittsburgh and Baltimore and fell short.
The Lions continued to struggle in 2005 and that proved to be the end for head coach Steve Mariucci. Despite a boatload of talent at the skill positions -- especially wide receiver -- the Lions were simply too soft and undisciplined to make a run at the postseason.
Green Bay's fall from grace was precipitous. After four straight seasons with double-digit wins, the Packers lost their edge and fell to 4-12. Quarterback Brett Favre struggled from start to finish and threw 29 interceptions. Favre was unsure about his future, but he decided to come back in 2006 and try to right the ship.
Movers and shakers
Smith starts his third season as head coach of the Bears, but the other three head coaches are all rookies. Brad Childress takes over in Minnesota after honing his skills as the Eagles' offensive coordinator. However, don't expect the Vikings to use the West Coast offense. Childress will attempt to use a power running game and a downfield passing game to re-ignite the Minnesota passing game.
Detroit head coach Rod Marinelli is all about defense, discipline and toughness. He hired former Rams head coach Mike Martz as his offensive coordinator -- a move that could pay huge dividends for a franchise that has seen nothing but misery since the start of the 2000 season. If Martz and free-agent QB Jon Kitna can develop a rapport, the offense could get a significant jumpstart.
Mike McCarthy takes over for Mike Sherman and will try to simplify the offense in an effort to get Favre back on track. The most important thing for Favre will be a return to form of RB Ahman Green, who suffered a major quadriceps injury in October. The Packers are also hoping that rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk is the do-it-all defensive player he was at Ohio State.
What to expect
Chicago: The Bears believe this is their season, but they need QB Rex Grossman to stay healthy and show that he can become a leader and accurate passer. The Bears have been successful because of their defense and the offense needs to step up and carry its end. If Grossman struggles, look for free-agent pickup Brian Griese to get the call. He has recovered from the torn knee ligament suffered last year in Tampa Bay and is a very accurate passer.
Minnesota: The Bears are on the cusp of taking charge in the division, but they could get a major challenge from the Vikings. Brad Johnson did a solid job last year after Culpepper was hurt and the addition of power back Chester Taylor should give the running game a lift. If Childress can demonstrate consistency and toughness and his team follows his lead, the Vikings could give the Bears a run.
Detroit: The Lions are trying to forge a new identity and the key may be Martz's ability to build a cohesive offense. Marinelli trusts Martz to do just that and he is giving his coordinator the freedom to do exactly as he pleases. Most rookie coaches might be hesitant to do that, but Marinelli is clearly secure in his position.
Green Bay: All eyes will be on Favre in Green Bay to see if he can turn things around and rally the Packers back to respectability. If he can, it will be a notable achievement. If he can't, McCarthy may have a very difficult decision to make concerning the future Hall of Fame quarterback.