2010 NFL Preview: NFC North

By Joe Pietaro
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Updated: August 16, 2010

Once again, the fate of this division lies with the decision of Brett Favre. If he decides to come back for another season, then you can pencil the Minnesota Vikings in for another division title and a decent playoff run. If he stays home in Mississippi, then the Vikes may be struggling to find their way in as a wild card.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Let’s assume that old man river makes it official once training camp ends and has another effective campaign running the show in Minny. Favre is better than anything else the Vikings have on their roster and anyone who feels that Tavaris Jackson can get the job done is clearly dreaming. The NFL is better with Favre still running around and he should have enough left in the tank to get his team to the second round of the playoffs.

PREDICTION: 11-5 (12-4 in 2009)

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Aaron Rodgers took some big steps as a quarterback last season but still has a ways to go. He should get better and better, which will bode well for fans at the Frozen Tundra. A tough break in the playoff overtime loss at Arizona notwithstanding, he showed that he can light it up in big spots. Depending on the Favre situation, the Pack can finish as high as first or as low as third.

PREDICTION: 10-6 (11-5 in 2009)

CHICAGO BEARS

What should have been a big season in ’09 in the Windy City came to a crashing halt in the season opening loss to the Packers. LB Brian Urlacher was lost for the year and new QB Jay Cutler began what was an interception filled winter of discontent. They should bounce back enough to contend for a wild card spot.

PREDICTION: 10-6 (7-9 in 2009)

DETROIT LIONS

HC Jim Schwartz won two games in his rookie year, two more than the Lions did in 2008. So if he can double that again, they will still finish in their usual spot in the cellar. Getting first round draft pick DT Ndamukong Suh signed and in camp was important and the Lions will slowly grow as these high draft picks mature.

PREDICTION: 5-11 (2-14 in 2009)

Photo by Bill Menzel