Behind Enemy Lines: NFC North Round Table Part Four

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How do you see the division shaking out? Do things change?

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter in a preseason NFL football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Payton, SLR: “At this point it’s all Packers as expected. Aaron Rodgers is like a lizard. He loses an appendage and regenerates another. I don’t think James Jones was on anyone’s radar a month ago. The Vikings are a good team depending on what week it is. The Bears are rebuilding and currently in the middle of a fire sale. The Lions are the Lions.

At this point the Packers are the only team I see representing the NFC North in the playoffs. The Vikings will spoil some seasons for some playoff hopeful teams, but they are not quite ready for prime time yet. The Bears are the Bears. As for the Lions, anything is possible I suppose. we’ve certainly seen crazier things in sports. If the Lions can figure out who they are, they have the talent to go on a run. Seems unlikely right now.

Roethlisberger, LA: “Detroit has been the disappointment, but they’ve had some tough breaks. I’m surprised that Chicago has won a game, and Minnesota has not showed me much. The Packers are head and shoulders above anybody in this division, and that will not change the rest of the year. “

“I believe the only change you will see will be Detroit moving into third over Chicago. Green Bay already has the division locked up in my opinion. ”

Carlson, TVA: “Honestly, the division standings are pretty close to how the experts pegged it to be. Green bay at the top and Minnesota in second were the trendy picks this year, however I don’t think anyone could have seen the Detroit Lions being 0-4 a quarter of the way through the season. That team is too talented to be struggling so badly. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears are an absolute mess that look like they are going to enter rebuilding mode, at least on the defensive side of the ball.”

“The wins will eventually come for Detroit, but I don’t think they’ll be able to catch Green Bay or Minnesota. The Packers are the clear favorites to win the division, the only question in my mind is whether or not the Vikings will be able to finish the season good enough to win a Wild Card spot. Of course, there is always the chance of a huge turnaround or colossal meltdown for either Minnesota or Green Bay, but I think both the teams have too much talent and are too well coached to have that happen”

Burzawa, BGO: “I think the Packers are going to run away with this thing. The 2-2 Vikings have a shot to challenge the Packers, but the way Aaron Rodgers is playing, it looks like the NFC North crown will reside in Green Bay yet again.”

“I think the Lions and Bears will improve and could challenge the Vikings for the second spot in the division, but barring a significant Aaron Rodgers injury, this looks like a runaway Packers division. It will be interesting to watch the Bears and Lions battle to stay out of the cellar. I think that Calvin Johnson is starting to slow down and the Lions D is adjusting to life without Ndamukong Suh while the Bears try to find their way in John Fox’s system.”

I would Like to thank Mike from Bear Goggles On, Zach from Lombardi Ave, and Adam from The Viking Age for participating in today’s round table. If you’re looking for news and great content on any of these teams, do yourself a favor and check out their work. Be on the lookout for part Five of our Behind Enemy Lines series after week eight.

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