2006 NFC North Preview

With the NFC North, sometimes, you just never know what you’re going to get. Having said that, I fully expect the Chicago Bears to win this division, while the three remaining teams will be anywhere from mediocre to atrocious. Here’s the skinny on the NFC North. 

Chicago Bears
I really like what Lovie Smith has done with his team the past three years and the Bears have one of the easiest schedules in the league this season, not to mention the fact that they are returning 22 starters from last year’s team. So why is something bothering me about the Bears? 

Probably because I’m still not sure whether they can put the ball in the end zone on any kind of a consistent basis.
If Smith doesn’t open up his offense a little more this season, it’s entirely possible that the Bears could once again be a double-digit win team that is eventually left on the outside looking in. However I think the Bears will go at least 3-3 in the division and possibly 4-2. 

Minnesota Vikings
I think the Vikings made one of the best acquisitions in the NFL this past offseason when they hired former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, Brad Childress to become their new head coach, replacing an almost comically inept Mike Tice.
Childress in a no-nonsense guy and one of the game’s most innovative offensive minds and his system should work wonders in Minnesota, where the Vikings do have plenty of talented players – but had absolutely no guidance whatsoever. 

I also don’t think either, Brad Johnson and Chester Taylor are the long term answers at quarterback and running back respectively, so those are areas Childress will have to address at some point in the near future as well. The Vikings did pull off a huge coup by signing former Seattle All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson to a $49 million seven-year contract, which should immediately help the Vikes’ suspect offensive line.
I think it is entirely possible that the Vikings will win at least three division games and possibly four. Anything beyond that is a huge bonus for Childress and the Vikings.