2006 NFC North Forecast

If the 2006 NFC North were a travelogue, commentators would be using old clichés like "land of contrasts" and "blend of old and new." Like no other division in the NFL, the NFC North features four teams all on utterly different tracks and all in different phases of franchise history. For those seeking to travel to these colder football climes, herewith are this sportswriter's predictions on four squads that are past, present, future, and the Minnesota Vikings.

For the Chicago Bears, the future is now. In 2005, playing in arguably the weakest division in the NFL, Dah Bearsss ran up a 11-5 record after starting the season a dismal 1-3 which had some Chicago Bears fans whispering for the head of Lovie Smith. They say defense wins championships? Bolstered by the most dominant force in NFL D, Brian Urlacher, the Chicago Bears held opponents to ten points of fewer an incredible nine times while allowing just over 200 points for the year, no. 1 in the league in that department. Want evidence that they're just as tough in 2006? Check out that 24-3 preseason win against the San Diego Chargers. At halftime, the score was Chicago Bears defense and special teams 14, San Diego Chargers 3.

The good news for the Chicago Bears? No significant losses in the off-season, and rookies DT Dusty Dvoracek, CB Devin Hester, DB Danieal Manning and LB Jamar Williams have all impressed in camp. The bad news? Well, hopefully defense alone can win championships. Smith is stubbornly sticking with Rex Grossman at QB, though the media murmurs of a quarterback controversy involving Brian Griese, who has had an excellent preseason.

The 2006 Chicago Bears should once again cruise through this division, and fans are thinking Super Bowl already. This squad is no 1985 Chicago Bears, but may just be equivalent to the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, the last defense to carry the team to victory in The Big Game. Prediction: 13-3.