Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) gestures a first down in the third quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Offseason Moves:

The Packers have claimed the last two NFC North titles due in part to stellar quarterback play in Aaron Rodgers and because the Packers excel in retooling their roster through the draft. This season was no different as they added a top 10 talent in defensive end Datone Jones with the 26th pick in the draft, and arguably the best running back in the class in Eddie Lacy in the second round 61st overall, a steal to say the  least.

Another area of the draft the Packers excel at is finding starters in the mid to late rounds. This year it looks like the Packers found another late round gem in Charles Johnson At 6’2, 215 lbs Johnson has the size and speed, 4.40 forty, to play a long time in the NFL. At division II Grand Valley Johnson registered 128 catches for 2,229 and 31 touchdowns. He may not have the experience playing against top division one talent, but he has all the makings of a top flight receiver in the NFL, and what better time to draft a player like Johnson with the departure of the Packers top receiver in Greg Jennings.

Why The Packers will win the NFC North:

They might not have the most talented roster overall in the NFC North, I think that title goes to the Lions and Vikings, but they are the best coached team and have the best players at the right positions and develop their young players quickly. Much like the New England Patriots, the Packers are a model for the “next man up” philosophy when losing a player via free agency or injury.

The gap isn’t as wide as it has been in the past between the Packers and the other teams in the division, but going into the 2013 NFL season, the Packers have done enough this offseason to maintain the top spot in the NFC North.

Oct 22, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) recovers a fumble by Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) at the goal line during the third quarter at Soldier Field. The Bears won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

Calvin Johnson will probably get his 108 yards and be the first player in NFL history to reach the 2,000 yard receiving mark, but that will probably be the only positive for the Lions in this game. The other possible positive would be Matthew Stafford’s second consecutive 5,000 yard season (he needs 305 yards Sunday). The Lions injury situation hasn’t improved in fact, Sammie Hill has been ruled out for Sunday’s game adding another Lion to the long list of injuries. Bottom line, the Lions don’t have enough play makers on the field to beat the Bears on Sunday. The only way the Lions win is if they can establish the run and win the turnover margin where they are -12 on the season. Given that this is a division game I think it will be a dog fight finish.

Prediction: Bears win 23-20

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have really found their way the last few weeks entering Sunday’s game with a three game win streak. The Packers have also hit their stride with a four game win streak and look like a team that no one wants to play in the playoffs. I could really see this game going either way, but there is something special going on in Minnesota this year, much like the 2011 season for the Lions. I think the Vikings will punch their ticket to the playoffs and beat the Packers. I also think Adrian Peterson breaks Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record (he needs 208 yards to break Dickerson’s record).

Prediction: Vikings win 24-21

Recap: I predict a win by the Bears and Vikings which means playoff births for the Vikings and Packers. Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your NFC North Predictions! I’ll do my best to respond to any questions or comments you might have. Do you think Adrian Peterson will break Eric Dickerson’s rushing record? What about Calvin Johnson’s pursuit of 2,000?

Last week’s record: 3-1

Record so far this season: 30-21

The Lions have an exciting game at home against the surging Falcons on a special Monday Night Football game played on Saturday night, where Calvin Johnson could break Jerry Rice’s record of receiving yards in a season.

The Vikings have a record chaser of their own in Adrian Peterson, who looks to break Eric Dickerson’s record of rushing yards in a season, and keep his teams playoff hopes alive on the road against the Texans. Will The Packers and Bears continue to trend in opposite directions? Will Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson continue their record setting paces this week?

Oct 23, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive line lines up against the Detroit Lions offensive line during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Without further ado, here are my week 16 predictions:

Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers

The 2012 Packers look a lot like the 2010 Packers, who were plagued by injuries but got at the right time and ultimately won the super bowl. With that said, I expect the Packers to take care of business this week at home against the Titans. The only way this game is close is if Titans running back Chris Johnson breaks off a few long runs or makes an explosive play or two in the passing game. Even if Johnson has a break out performance, it’s hard to imagine the Titans matching the Packers point for point the entire game.

Prediction: Packers win 27-13

Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals

It’s true that the Cardinals blew out the Lions 38-10 last week, but don’t expect the Cardinals to make a habit of winning, especially in blow out fashion. The Cardinals are still one of the worst offenses in the NFL with one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL, and last time I checked the Bears were pretty solid on defense. If the Bears continue their struggles on offense it probably won’t matter as their defense has made a habit this season of forcing turnovers and scoring points.

Prediction: Bears win 23-10

Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions

If the Lions had lived up to expectations this game would no doubt be my game of the week, however this isn’t the case. The Lions are by far the most disappointing team record wise, but I’m not going to say that it is all entirely their faults. The Lions have been plagued with injuries, perhaps more so than any team in the NFL as a once potent Lions offense has been diminished to Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford, and a bunch of fourth option wide receivers. On defense the Lions have spent most of their season without Louis Delmas and Nick Fairley has been placed on injured reserve along with defensive tackle Cory Williams, defensive backs Bill Bentley, Chris Greenwood, Jacob Lacey, Amari Spievey, and Drayton Flourance spent some time on that list as well- all of whom have started on defense this season, with the exception of Chris Greenwood. The point of this is that the Lions will be without 4 of their top 5 wide receivers on offense and seven rotation and starting players on defense.

While there has obviously an execution problem by the players all season, it’s hard to win when most of your top players are on the sideline. If the Lions were healthy they can compete with any team, however this isn’t the case for Saturday’s game and won’t be for the remainder of the season. The Falcons shouldn’t have a problem winning this game, unless they come into the game not ready to play. Regardless of the outcome the possibility of Calvin Johnson breaking Jerry Rice’s record should make this game fun to watch.

Prediction: Falcons win 30-20

Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans

The Vikings might find their two game win streak ended this week against the Texans, because of the lack of passing game in the Vikings offense. Christian Ponder has proven to be nothing more then a game manager and there is no better proof then what he has done with the best running back in the NFL on his team. I’m confident Adrian Peterson will get his yards, but the only way the Vikings win is if Adrian Peterson has a record rushing day and if the Texans have an off game as they did against the Jacksonville Jaguars, (who took the Texans to O.T) and the Packers (who thrashed the Texans 42-24). Because this game has the potential to come down to the wire this is Shack’s Game Of The Week.

Prediction: Texans win 27-20

Recap: I predict a 2-2 record for the NFC North this week. Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your NFC North Predictions! I’ll do my best to respond to any questions or comments you might have. Do you think Adrian Peterson will break Eric Dickerson’s rushing record? What about Calvin Johnson’s pursuit of Jerry Rice’s receiving record?

Last week’s record: 2-1

Record so far this season: 27-20