NFC North Preview - Week 2

Green Bay Packers

The Packers started this season how they finished the last one. Putting up a ton of points. This offense just could not be stopped last Thursday. That trend could continue as they travel into Carolina to face the Panthers on Sunday.

As we all know, Carolina is coming off of a year to forget. One thing that should be noted is that they played quite well this past week. Granted it was a fairly week secondary against Arizona, but what Cam Newton did cannot be overstated. That was an incredible debut performance.

Anyways, let’s talk more about what the Packers have to do to come away with a win here. It’s simple really. They have to keep attacking through the air, as their running game still leaves a little to be desired. It seems they have effectively taken Ryan Grant out of the lead back role which confuses me quite a bit. We’ll take a closer look at his role this week, and see what his future is with this team.

The edge has to be given to the defending champions here. Better passing game, better defense, better special teams game. Although don’t be surprised if the Panthers hang around in this one.

Chicago Bears

The Bears got off to a sensational start in week one. They didn’t exactly look well rounded on the offensive side of the ball, but they sure dominated on the scoreboard. They’re set for another stern test this weekend though as they travel to New Orleans to face the Saints.

The Saints were on the wrong side of the score line last week, but don’t over think this one. The Saints are still an outstanding team. They played very well, they just didn’t have a chance at stopping Aaron Rodgers and that vaunted Packers passing attack. The Bears don’t quite have the weapons of the Packers, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens.

The Bears are going to have to step up their pass defense if they want to compete in this one. They are coming off of a game in which they allowed 300+ yards to Matt Ryan. I’ll step out and say that the New Orleans line will give Brees more time than Ryan received in week one. Which could spell trouble for this Bears secondary.

I give the edge to the Saints here. I just don’t think they are going to lose their home opener. The Bears are going to have to really step up their pass defense to have a chance at winning this one. Although their chances did improve slightly when it was announced that linebacker Brian Urlacher is likely going to play in this one.

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Detroit Lions

The Lions are another team that got off to a fast start. Not quite so coincidental that this result coincided with young Matthew Stafford being able to stay healthy for the duration of a game. If he does indeed stay healthy. This Detroit teams is definitely going to be one to be reckoned with throughout this season.

Their opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs, are coming off an absolute laugher. The Chiefs were flat out embarrassed a week ago by the Buffalo Bills of all teams. Every facet of this team looked awful against what was known as one of the bottom line defenses a year ago. Not a good omen for this Kansas City team as they now have to travel into Detroit to face this upstart Lion attack.

The Lions game plan is simple. Keep Stafford upright, and let him make the throws everyone knows he can make. He has a plethora of weapons this season. The most noteworthy being Georgia Tech graduate Calvin “Megatron” Johnson. He is basically at the level of, throw it up to his side, and he’ll find a way to come down with the football. It is amazing to watch this man play football..

If you couldn’t tell already, my edge obviously goes to the Lions in this one. I feel that they will get off to a hot start this season, and keep this surge up to get them into the playoffs.

Minnesota Vikings

This brings us to the only losing side in this division from a week ago. The Minnesota Vikings looked like they were going to get off to a screamer early on. Percy Harvin returned the opening kickoff for six. They rode that momentum to a 17-7 lead heading into the locker room. It didn’t appear an member of the Vikings ever came out afterwards though. The Chargers dominated the second half, en route to their 24-17 victory.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Vikes this weekend either. They are set to play the Buccaneers. A team you would expect to be hungry after the way they got handled by the Lions a week ago. Sure they scored a touchdown late to cut the score line down a little bit, but the Lions were in control of that game from the second quarter on. Tampa Bay is going to have to LeGarrette Blount going if they expect to repeat their successes from a season ago.

Onto the Viking game plan. Another one that doesn’t seem that complex on paper. They have to find a way to get Donovan McNabb back on track. Everyone knows about Adrian Peterson. Everyone also knows that he is going to get his yards. However, McNabb needs to find is Philadelphia form if the Vikings are going to spring any upsets this season, because Christian Ponder just isn’t ready to take the reigns of an NFL offense just yet.

I give the Bucs a slight edge in this one even in Minnesota. I think both teams will be hungry to bounce back from week one losses, but I feel that Tampa Bay just flat out has a better team at this point. Which is why I think they’ll take this one in a closely fought affair.

By Johnathan Neumann
Pro Football Fans Staff Writer