2011 NFL Predictions- NFC North

NFC North


1 Green Bay Packers

Clay Matthews and the Packers are the preseason favorites

2010: 10-6, 2nd in NFC North, W Super Bowl XLV
Coach: Mike McCarthy, 6th Season
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: LB Nick Barnett, LB Brandon Chillar, DT Justin Harrell, LB Brady Poppinga, 
T Mark Tauscher
Schedule: 5 Playoff Teams 
Offense: A


Defense: A-


Special Teams: A-


Key Players
Ryan Grant
B.J. Raji 
Aaron Rodgers 


Prediction: 13-3


2 Detroit Lions 

Matthew Stafford is one of the many promising
players on the Lions 

2010: 6-10, 3rd Place NFC North, Did Not Make Playoffs 
Coach: Jim Schwartz, 3rd Season
Key Additions: DT Nick Fairley, RB Mikel Leshoure, WR Titus Young, LB Justin Durant, LB Stephen Tulloch, CB Eric Wright, C Dylan Gandy
Key Losses: None
Schedule: 7 Playoff Teams
Offense: B+


Defense: A-


Special Teams: B


Key Players
QB Matthew Stafford
DT Nick Fairley
LB Stephen Tulloch 


Prediction: 9-7 


3 Chicago Bears 
2010: 11-5, 1st in NFC North, L in NFC Championship to Green Bay 
Coach: Lovie Smith, 8th Season

Jay Cutler will have to show that he is tough enough to
show that last years run was not a fluke

Key Additions: RB Marion Barber, DT Amobi Okoye, WR Roy Williams, C Chris Spencer
Key Losses: None 
Schedule: 7 Playoff Teams
Offense: B


Defense: A-


Special Teams: A


Key Players
QB Jay Cutler
LB Brian Urlacher
RB Matt Forte 


Prediction: 8-8


4 Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson has a huge load to carry for the Vikings
this season

2010: 6-10, 4th in NFC North, Did Not Make Playoffs
Coach: Leslie Frazier, 1st Season
Key Additions: QB Donovan McNabb, 
QB Christian Ponder, WR Michael Jenkins, LB Mark Washington, 
WR Devin Armomashodu, T Scott Kooistra
Key Losses: WR Sidney Rice, 
QB Tavaris Jackson, S Madieu Williams, 
QB Brett Favre 
Schedule: 7 Playoff Teams
Offense: C+


Defense: B


Special Teams: B+


Key Players
RB Adrian Peterson
DE Jared Allen
QB Donovan McNabb


Prediction: 5-11