Preseason Pickin': NFC North

The NFC North has had many notable off season headlines, including the Jay Cutler trade for the Bears, Detroit drafting Matt Stafford #1 overall, and of course Brett Favre now wearing purple and white. After the first 0-16 season in NFL history, the Lions are trying to simply win at least one game this year. The Bears were very close to winning the division last year but fell to Houston in the season finale. Aaron Rodgers returns in his second full season as a starter after a great season last year. And then there are the defending division champions, the Minnesota Vikings. Will Brett Favre help or hurt the Vikings? Here's how I think the NFC North will play out this year.

Team On the Rise: Green Bay Packers
I think all the teams are going to go up this year. The Lions can't go down, and the Vikings and Bears just got new starting quarterbacks. But I think Aaron Rodgers can excel in his second season as a starter, and I think Greg Jennings will have a monster year. Also, 3 players from the Packers' secondary made last year's pro bowl, which is a good sign for their defense.

Team On the Decline: None
As I said above, I think all the teams are going up. This is a division on the rise, and I would have to pick Detroit because they don't have a decision on their starting quarterback yet, but they cannot go anywhere but up.

Biggest Impact Players: Adrian Peterson and Jay Cutler
Adrian Peterson is one of the best running backs in the league. Yes the Vikings just got Brett Favre, but if number 4 doesn't do well, it's up to Peterson. Last year's leading rusher is going to need to lead his team if Minnesota wants to do well. For Chicago, the newly acquired Cutler needs to bring his stats from last year over to the Bears. The Bears have lacked a great quarterback for many years, and Cutler is exactly the guy they have needed. Matt Forte had 63 catches and 4 receiving touchdowns in his rookie year, and that should go up with a great quarterback. Cutler is the centerpiece to the Bears offense.

Best Offense: Green Bay Packers
I know the Packers beat the Lions the last game of the season and lost the 5 games before that, but I think this year, the Packer offense is something special. Aaron Rodgers should have a great year, and the same with Greg Jennings. They have a good quarterback, running back and wide receiver.

Best Defense: Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota has one of the best defensive lines in the game. 3 Pro Bowlers on the D-line, plus Antoine Winfield at corner back, this is a loaded defense. Chad Greenway is a player I think can have a great season, as he had 115 tackles and 5.5 sacks as outside linebacker for Minnesota last year.

Best Division Game: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
These teams will meet in Chicago December 13 during week 14. At this point in the season, I think the Vikings will be ahead of both teams. The winner of this game will have the better chance to catch Minnesota, and I think the Packers will prevail in this one which should be an extremely brutal game weather-wise.

Division Winner: Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings won the division last year, and I think Brett Favre makes them a better team on offense. They have a great defense, and I also think Percy Harvin is going to have a great rookie season for Minnesota.

In the picture: Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers - The Bears made a great off season addition in Jay Cutler, and I think he right away gives them the poise they want at quarterback. For the Packers, I think Aaron Rodgers is now use to the system and is going to lead that offense. Still, I think that the Vikings will just barely edge out both of these teams.