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2012 NFC North Lines | NFL Preview | Free Predictions

NFL Divisional Previews – 2012 NFC North Betting Breakdown

The Packers are the BIG favorites to win the NFC North this season and they also have the best odds to win the Super Bowl. The Lions are an up and coming team and the Bears will be in the mix as long as Jay Cutler can stay healthy.

NFC North Team Pages

Chicago
Detroit
Green Bay
Minnesota

The Vikings?

Well, they struggled last season with rookie QB Christian Ponder and RB Adrian Peterson is coming off a major knee injury.

Green Bay Packers

Odds To Win NFC North -250
Odds To Win Super Bowl 6-1

The Packers have Aaron Rodgers under center and he must stay healthy since they lost legit backup Matt Flynn in the off-season. Rodgers has one of the best WR corps in the league, but he needs more help this season from a rushing offense that ranked 27th in the league last season.

James Starks has to step up and be a #1 RB. While the Green Bay run defense is decent the pass defense is the MAJOR concern and last season they ranked dead last in the league giving up nearly 300 passing yards per game.

To address that issue the Packers did not really help the secondary, but they drafted DE Nick Perry in the first round and DT Jerel Worthy in the 2nd round.

Packers NFC East Prediction – The Pack will have no problems winning the NFC North even though their secondary will still be their Achilles Heel.

Detroit Lions

Odds To Win NFC North +500
Odds To Win Super Bowl 22-1

The Lions were a legit team, for a change, last season and there is a lot of hope in Detroit this season. Matt Stafford must stay on the field and if he does he has the best WR in the league in Calvin Johnson. The passing offense is not the problem, but the rushing offense is, as they only ranked 29th in the league last season.

They were killed by injuries last season and Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure have to pick up some yards on the ground. The Lions may have to light up the scoreboard since their defense is still an issue, especially their pass defense.

Lions NFC East Prediction – I think the Lions will be over .500 and they may battle for a NFC Wild Card, but they will not win the NFC North. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Chicago Bears

Odds To Win NFC North +350
Odds To Win Super Bowl 16-1

Cutler finally has a #1 WR in Brandon Marshall and both may have big seasons. However, Cutler needs time in the pocket and the Bears’ offensive line gave up 49 sacks last season. Chicago locked up RB Matt Forte with a long-term deal and while Cutler gets the press Forte is the key player on offense.

The Bears were great against the run last season, but defending the pass was another matter. If their secondary steps up this season the Bears will be a tough team to beat.

Bears NFC East Prediction – I think the Bears will be just like the Bears being in the Wild Card mix, but they will not win the NFC North.

Minnesota Vikings

Odds To Win NFC North +3000
Odds To Win Super Bowl 150-1

A 2nd year signal caller who struggled last season and Peterson coming off a major knee injury? Wow, lot to deal with and some WR has to step up and help Percy Harvin, who had 87 catches for nearly 1,000 yards last season. The Vikings had major issues defending the pass last season and with their 2nd first round pick they took S Harrison Smith.

Their first round pick was a good one taking OT Matt Kalil, who should be a lock for a starting spot.

Vikings NFC North Prediction – The Vikings have talent, but can Peterson come back and can the weak secondary keep from getting killed from the 3 pass-happy QB’s in the NFC North?

I would say no, as I think the Vikings will be well under .500 and they will get, yet another, high draft pick.

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By Jason Green

Jason Green is back with Cappers Picks again to give out his free sports plays. As always he's hoping the Braves and Redskins can win a championship since their last one in the 90’s was long ago. He’s starting to know the pain of Cubs fans.