NFC North Analysis

The NFC North seems to be made up of the haves and the have-nots. Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell which is which from year to year.

For the Bears, some things change while others always seem to stay the same. Ditka is gone; Payton is sadly gone as well (R.I.P.), and Chicago once again has a vaunted defense and running game. Brian Urlacher is the best linebacker around (sorry Ray, don’t shoot me). Jim Miller will have a much better season this year as he gets comfortable with his stable of great wide receivers. Booker, White, Terrell and Robinson will each catch their share of passes. While this is good for the Bears, spreading the wealth hurts fantasy football owners. Robinson should return to his old form. He may or may not get his job back from Booker, who may or may not get his old job back. Or White may take over… It’s a toss-up. I wouldn’t feel truly comfortable putting any Chicago WR on my roster until we know what’s going on, but picking up Robinson if he’s a free agent looks like a good move. A-Train will rumble on to another 1,100+ yard season. Look for 10 TDs as well. On the other side of the football, the Bears would look very good as your starting (and only) defense.

The Lions, on the other hand, are have-nots all the way. All they seem to get every year is a high draft pick. They picked up Az (I like to drop perfectly good passes for no reason) Hakim, Bill (will I be healthy this year?) Schroeder, and Joey (if I’m so much better than that other guy, why don’t I get to start?) Harrington, but their impact remains to be seen. Leave Mike McMahon on your free agent list. Don’t start either receiver. Schroeder is inconsistent, although if he’s healthy and has a good matchup, he can play ball. Stewart can be your backup #2 RB in a pinch. LaMont Warren should be starting, and if he gets a chance, pick him up: Warren has a nice, explosive move to the hole and quick feet. The Detroit defense stinks, but you know that already.

Cheeseheads unite! No quarterback in the NFL is such a model of consistency as the Packers’ Brett Favre. Even his off years are pro-bowl caliber. Start him every week, even if he’s throwing to Rondell Mealey out of the backfield. Ahman Green is a stud back. I’ve heard in some circles that he’s due for an injury soon, but the only thing I see in Green’s future is a 2,000 all-purpose yard season with 10+ TDs. If Terry Glenn is healthy and has his head on straight, he’ll put up HUGE numbers in this system, but that’s a big if. Robert Ferguson should remain free agent fodder in your league. Watch out for Donald Driver though. He and Javon Walker could be the tandem of the future for Green Bay. They’ve solidified their defense too, with Joe Johnson in there to put additional pressure on the pocket. They’re a defensive unit worth starting on any fantasy team. Start the offensive players on this team at your leisure. Someone has to catch those bombs that Favre throws. I’m putting my money on Driver and Walker if Glenn stays hurt. They have a huge amount of talent.

That brings us to the hardest team to gauge: the Purple People Eaters. I went to college with Daunte Culpepper, and he won me all three of my leagues in his rookie year because no one had heard of him. He lost my teams those leagues last year. His left tackle spot seems to be cursed, but if the offensive line – Minnesota’s biggest question mark – holds up, Culpepper will have a very good year. Don’t hesitate to trade for him. Randy Moss, on the other hand, will tear it up. He wants ALL the records, and I’m not sure why he doesn’t already have them. Start him every week. He’s so good, I would start him during the Vikings’ bye week (I’m obvously joking, but he’s that good). D’Wayne Bates makes a nice #2 behind Moss and a nice #3 for your team. Start him without worry. Leave Derrick Alexander behind; he’s old and injury prone. Michael Bennett? Aye, there’s the rub. He’s got jets on his feet, and at the same time, he doesn’t know how to find holes or dance. If he can get a healthy group of blockers in front of him, he’ll be in for a 900+ yard season with 5-8 TDs, enough to be a nice #2 or backup fantasy RB. Don’t start their defense. Ever. They’ve got a lot to prove; if they do come together as a unit, you might still be able to pick them up off the free agent list later in the season. Biekert is a really nice anchor to that D.

I see… the Vikings taking this division. I know I knocked them, but I like Mike (Tice that is) and see them doing much better without Carter on the sidelines beating up my man Daunte. Watch their top three weapons explode week after week. I see them lighting it up like the 1998 Vikings. Watch them.

Next: AFC East Analysis (Dolphins baby, Dolphins!)

 
Trent Vaughn is a ten-time winner of yahoo and NFL.com fantasy football leagues. When not playing fantasy football, he runs a movie production company and plays golf. Go Dolphins!