Week One NFC North Power Rankings

The NFL season is finally upon us, and while many of you may have thought you got rid of me, I am making my triumphant return. Making the return with me is my NFC North Power Rankings, and with all the media jumping on the NFC North’s bandwagon early in this 2009 NFL season, it should be an entertaining 17 weeks.

Let the madness begin.

 

1. Minnesota Vikings (0-0)

Lets be honest folks; the North champions from last season did nothing to hurt themselves this offseason. They brought in a Hall of Fame quarterback (he will not be named throughout the article, trust me), and the draft’s most dynamic athlete to top off an already talented squad with a top-five defense and the league’s best running back in Adrian Peterson.

To pick against them in this division would seem almost laughable—this coming from a Packers’ fan.  

Sure, head coach Brad Childress is about as imaginative in his play calling as an infant with a headset, but he doesn’t really need to be. Handing off to No. 28 doesn’t take imagination—just give it to him and watch him go. Childress’ main worry should be how to get rookie Percy Harvin involved, however, because his speed and playmaking ability could become special if given the chance.

And while the Vikings do lack a true number one receiver, this roster is talented enough top to bottom to cover for that. Chalk up 11 wins for the Vikings, but let me make this disclaimer: Minnesota would win 11 games with Tavaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, or the Unnamable at the helm. This pick isn’t about the quarterback. An easy schedule, a scary defense, and Peterson’s legs get them there.

 

2. Green Bay Packers (0-0)

I went back and forth on this several times. We all know how great the Packers played this preseason. In the first three games, the Packers’ number ones made their oppositions’. Green Bay looked like it was playing at a different speed then everyone else, and Aaron Rodgers looked like he might be worthy of MVP consideration this season. 

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It still was the preseason—and now it’s over. Everyone is back to 0-0, and Green Bay still has a lot to prove coming off their 6-10 disaster last season. 

I like what the defense has shown so far. The attacking style of defense is something Packers fans aren’t used to, and that’s a good thing. The days of Bob Sanders and his back on your heels style defense are long gone. I’d expect the Packers defense to be better, but don’t expect the Pittsburgh Steelers quite yet. It’s going to take some time. 

Rodgers is the real deal though. What kind of stat line is out of the question for him? 4000 plus yards and 35 passing touchdowns really don’t seem like much of stretch this season. Put down 10 wins for the Packers and a wild card berth.

 

3. Chicago Bears (0-0)

I struggled with the Bears too. Everyone is raving about the arrival of Jay Cutler and Orlando Pace, but I’m still not sold on Chicago. I think that defense could struggle this season, and Brian Urlacher definitely isn’t getting any younger. At this point in his career, I’d confidently give him the label of overrated. 

Cutler scares me too. He has almost nothing to work with in terms of receivers save tight end Greg Olson, and the attitude problems that Cutler has previously shown could resume in the Windy City. 

However, Cutler and running back Matt Forte make a formidable duo. Forte had a monster 2008, but time will tell how the arrival Cutler will affect the productivity of Forte. Pace should solidify Cutler’s blindside too, but truth be told Pace has been injury prone late in his career.

In the end, there was just too many question marks in Chicago for me to have them over the Packers. I still think Chicago will be an eight or nine win team, but they will be on the outside looking in come playoff time. 

4. Detroit Lions (0-0)

Don’t get me wrong, I think the Lions are headed in the right direction. But this season is going to be another long one in Detroit.

Starting number one pick Matthew Stafford was an absolute must for this franchise, but he’s going to take his lumps. More then likely, he’s going to have a terrible season. Matt Ryan made the turnaround last season, but let’s not kid ourselves; the Falcons of 2008 were immensely better then these Lions. 

On the good side though, Detroit drafted smart and efficiently last April. They may have as many as five to seven rookie starters from the get go, and that bodes well for their long term success. Head coach Jim Schwartz was a great hire for this ailing organization as well. 

I think it’d be more then generous to give the Lions four wins. So sorry Detroit, but I think you’re going to see a 2-14 football team this season. That’s not all bad compared to the horror scene that was 2008, so cheer up. 

 

Player to Watch in Week One: Aaron Rodgers, GB

Rodgers could realistically be my player to watch in every week this season. Everyone is on his bandwagon now, but he’s going to have a monster year. It starts Week one against Chicago.

Game To Watch: Chicago @ Green Bay 

This really is about as big as a Week one match up can get. Who ever comes away victorious comes away with a whole lot of momentum and confidence. Should be interesting to see Cutler go up against the Packers’ new 3-4 defense as well.

Predictions

Minnesota 31, Cleveland 10

The Browns quarterback situation is a mess. Minnesota’s defense will feast on whoever is under center, and Peterson will carry the load in a laugher. 

Green Bay 27, Chicago 24

In a classical Packers-Bears duel, Rodgers carries Green Bay past Cutler. Both defenses struggle, but one errant throw from Cutler dooms Chicago at Lambeau. 

New Orleans 42, Detroit 17

Saints QB Drew Brees picks apart the Lions. Stafford has a decent debut, but it’s not hardly enough. Zero wins in 18 tries for Detroit. 

Overall: (0-0) 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

A Fallen Hero: The Brett Favre Story Rambles on

Ever since Brett Favre was released by the New York Jets a little less than a week ago, I’ve had a lot of time to think about the newest Favre-to-the-Vikings saga. I’ve heard all the theories, all the quotes, and probably, all the lies. 

Which leads me to my conclusion on the topic: Favre needs to stay retired. No more side stepping questions, Brett, with, “At this time, I am retired”—we all know what “at this time” means to you. 

Yet everything I’ve read points to Favre coming back, and it all states that the reason Favre would come back is to stick it to the Packers and Ted Thompson, for whom he still has a blurring hate. 

This from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 

Favre can’t stand Green Bay,” the source said. “He wants to play Green Bay and say, ‘I told you so.’ His bitterness is creating this. I think he’s calling Minnesota. I think Minnesota is talking about this as we speak. You haven’t heard the end of Favre. No way. He is bionic. As long as somebody will let him in, he will play.”

More from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

“Boy, does Favre have it bad out bad for Thompson,” the source said then. “He talked about the Packers all the time. He’s obsessed with them. I don’t know if he’s ever going to let it go.”

 

There’s no “I think I can still play”, or “I want to win one more championship”—it’s all about getting back at the Packers. Sounds more like a revengeful third-grader to me than an eventual Hall of Fame quarterback. 

Besides, if I’m the Minnesota Vikings, I tell Favre thanks, but no thanks. If all you’re interested in is beating your former team in two games this season, then we don’t want you on this roster.

And we all saw Favre’s late game struggles from a year ago that was more reminiscent of a certain Tarvaris Jackson than the Favre we’re used to.

And can you imagine when the Vikings come to Lambeau Field? Even some of the Favre apologists will be scorned when he dons the Viking purple, and it could be a very sad occasion hearing 70,000 plus fans boo their former hero. 

Favre was such an icon in Wisconsin for so long, and I will cherish the years of service he gave to the Packers organization. I don’t even have any problem with him having hard feelings towards Thompson and the Packers, but Favre should keep the fans in mind when he decides to act on his boyish impulses for revenge. 

We’ve been with Favre for so long, and our fan base is already split over his time in New York. If he went to the Vikings, who knows what would happen among our fan base?

But I can tell you one thing for sure though—Favre would be an afterthought to me. No more cheering for him and his other team, because my love for the Packers outweighs my love for Favre—always has and always will. 

So my plea to Favre is simple: Stay retired. End the Vikings’ talk and your immature impulses for revenge. You’re still a hero to me and millions of Packers fans. Don’t ruin that for yourself.

Green Bay Packers Fill Two Big Needs on First Day of NFL Draft

No doubt most of the chatter around the Wisconsin area Saturday night will be of Packers general manager Ted Thompson’s aggressive move to trade back into the first round.

Maybe rightfully so, too—no one could have guessed he would pull off a trade like that.

The fact of the matter, however, is that everyone’s most hated GM successfully filled two of the Packers’ biggest needs with two players that will make immediate impacts in 2009 for Green Bay.

In selecting B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews Saturday, the Packers can cross off defensive tackle and outside linebacker as pressing needs looking forward to next season.

The Packers had an interesting decision to make when the ninth spot in the NFL draft came up—a decision that not many saw coming—as both Michael Crabtree and Raji were available.

As nice as it would have been to have Crabtree teaming with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings next year, Thompson made the right choice in selecting Raji. Many mock drafts had Raji going before Green Bay’s ninth selection, so Thompson had to have been excited to take a player of his caliber at that spot.

The tackle out of Boston College will drastically improve the Packers thin defensive line next season and will hopefully be an explosive member of Green Bay’s new 3-4 scheme.

Then Thompson rolled the dice and traded back into the first round, swapping the Packers’ second round (no. 41 overall) pick and two third rounders (73 and 83) for the New England Patriots’ first round (26) pick and an additional fifth (162).

The price was a bit steep for my liking, but the Packers got the opportunity to select a wonderful player in USC’s Matthews. He will be an upgrade at outside linebacker over what is on Green Bay’s roster, and in my mind, the immediate starter there.

Matthews could be a bit of an unknown to many around the Wisconsin area, but to those who have studied him, they know the value of the pick.

He has the pass rushing skills and versatility to be a very good football player right away, but it’s his consistent improvement he’s shown since he walked on at USC to his spectacular senior season that really has me excited.

In fact, many analysts had Matthews rated as the best of USC’s trio of talented linebackers, ahead of Brian Cushing (Houston Texans, 15th) and Rey Maualuga (Cincinnati Bengals, 38th).

Matthews and Raji were the only two picks for the Packers on the first day of the NFL Draft, but Green Bay improved themselves as much as any team did.

The Packers failed considerably on defense last season, so it was a near-must to spend at least one first-day pick on that side of the ball.

Green Bay must still address positional issues such as offensive tackle and defensive end, but there should be no complaints coming from the first two picks.

Thompson gets an A on both picks, and still has six second-day picks to address the rest of the Packers dwindling needs.

Hush, Thompson haters, hush.

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