We almost had a complete disaster for the reigning NFC North champions. But a trade for Sam Bradford might have changed a few things around in the NFC North… or at least kept them from swirling down the toilet.
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Here’s your code key for this year’s 2016-17 GMS NFL Football Preview : Z = Clinches home field advantage, Y = Clinches division, X = Clinches wild card spot
Y – Green Bay Packers: 12-4
The question I always ask when people want to know how the Green Bay Packers will do this season is always the same. “Is Aaron Rodgers still there?” It all comes down to that. While people may argue between a few players as the best quarterback in the NFL, there’s question that Rodgers is always in that conversation. He’s been hampered by coaching, playcalling and injuries to key players over the years, but if he can make it to the postseason with most of his weapons intact, nobody wants to face off against the Packers.
The defense returns a pretty good unit that’s getting a little old a little too fast. This could be the year it starts to fall apart at a few key positions. If there’s a run to be made, it needs to happen now. Mike McCarthy and his horrible gameday coaching have probably cost Rodgers at least two rings at this point. If he can stay out of Rodgers’ way, this could be 2010 all over again. At least in the NFC.
Last year: 10-6, lost to the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Divisional round
Minnesota Vikings: 8-8
The Vikings saved their season by trading for Sam Bradford, so it might seem a little insulting I picked them to finish two games worse than last season and out of the playoff mix. The problem with a trade like the one Minnesota pulled off with the Eagles is it takes a while for a player like Bradford to get acclimated. He’s coming in completely lost. He doesn’t know the playbook, has no rhythm with the offensive players and most likely won’t see the field before week three.
The problem with the Vikings is while Bradford is getting his crap together, they face the toughest part of their schedule. In the first five weeks of the season, Minnesota sees the Packers, Panthers, Giants and Texans. And I sincerely don’t even think they’ll beat the Titans in Week One. By the time Bradford gets in sync with the offense, the season will probably already be gone.
Last year: 11-5, lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round
Chicago Bears: 7-9
For a team that did nothing but add talented players on both sides of the ball, the Bears looked absolutely terrible in the preseason. What does that mean? Nobody really knows, but considering Chicago hasn’t been a good team in a few years, it’s troubling to say the least.
Jay Cutler gets a lot of crap as the Bears’ quarterback and only some of it’s deserved. If he was playing under a sane contract, I think he’d hear a lot less criticism. As it is, you can’t pay the man like he’s Tom Brady and get Jay Cutler play. Everybody’s going to be angry about that. All that said, the Bears will be better, they’ll be in more games, but ultimately this still looks like a losing squad to me.
Last year: 6-10, did not make the playoffs
Detroit Lions: 5-11
So many of you out there were shocked when the Lions didn’t fire Jim Caldwell at the end of last season. I was still reeling from the fact that they’d hired him in the first place. I’ve used this analogy on Caldwell before; Some men are chess players, others are checkers players. Right now Caldwell can play neither because his hands are trapped in two Pringles cans.
Detroit is an interesting team talent-wise. The pieces are there on the field to make the playoffs with Matt Stafford tossing the ball to Golden Tate and Marvin Jones on offense. On defense, Ziggy Ansah is one of the best young pass rushers in the game. The weakness is there on the sideline and it’s one this team just won’t be able to overcome.
Last year: 7-9, did not make the playoffs
