In the 2010-2011 NFL season, the Chicago Bears (division champions) and the Green Bay Packers represented the NFC North in the playoffs. Both teams advanced to the NFC Championship Game. The Green Bay Packers went on to win Super Bowl XLV. Although the Packers won the Super Bowl, they failed to win their division – a rare chance for improvement for a defending Super Bowl champion. 2010-2011 NFC North standings: 1st – (11-5) Chicago Bears, 2nd – (10-6) Green Bay Packers, 3rd – (6-10) Detroit Lions, 4th – (6-10) Minnesota Vikings.
The Alpha Dog: Green Bay Packers
The Defending Super Bowl champs are young, healthy and a favorite to win Super Bowl XLV. Enough said. Not winning the Super Bowl this season would be a disappointment for the Packers – and, all eyes will be watching for the dreaded Super Bowl hangover.
The Contender: Detroit Lions
The Lions have quietly built momentum in the last three years (after their record setting 0-16 season) and they’re in position to challenge for a division crown. Having the defending Super Bowl champs to look up at might make them a better team through the high competition…. and, if Quarterback Matthew Stafford can stay healthy.
The Dark Horse: Chicago Bears
The Bears lost to the Packers in the NFC Championship game and have taken heavy criticism at the quarterback position. The question is: no matter how good this team has been during the regular season, can they pull it together in the post season? Does Jay Cutler even want to play in postseason?
The Caboose: Minnesota Vikings
Two years after Brett Farve’s fateful interception that lost their chance at the Lombardi Trophy; the Vikings have found themselves in a drama-laden downslide. Now, they’ve brought in another aging quarterback to try and revitalize the Vikings once again. Can Donovan McNabb take them to the promise land? Or, just keep them away from a top-5 draft pick?
And the Crystal Ball Says…
1 – (12-4) Green Bay Packers
2 – (9-7) Chicago Bears
3 – (9-7) Detroit Lions
4 – (5-11) Minnesota Vikings
Entire NFL Prediction
-NFC NORTH – AFC NORTH
-NFC SOUTH – AFC SOUTH
-NFC EAST – AFC EAST
-NFC WEST – AFC WEST