Does anyone want to win the NFC North?
By Steve Helmer
@srhelmer (7029)
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
December 23, 2008 8:57pm CST
The Packers entered the season as the favorites but took a major nose dive; especially on defense.
The Bears beat the Packers Monday night to stay in the hunt but their win was far from convincing considering the Packers dominated them for three quarters.
The Vikings currently have the best record but stunk up the field against Arizona and, even if the Giants rest some of their starters, aren't really the favorite to win their season finale.
And the Lions are the Lions.
It's like none of the teams really want to win the division and I have a hard time believing any of them are a legitimate Super Bowl threat.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@mscott (1923)
• United States
24 Dec 08
The Packers special teams are horrible. They have cost them the last two games at least. I guess some of that may be coaching as well. I really think McCarthy did a poor job of play calling most of the year. Last year, his only year with Favre, was the only time as a coach his team had a winning record. He did poorly play calling with the Saints and the 49ers. Sure Rodgers is the quarterback of the future but if Ted Thompson and Mike C are the future it looks pretty bad for the Packers.
@srhelmer (7029)
• Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
25 Dec 08
The offense hasn't been terrible. They just can't seem to get a legitimate running game going, which hurts the passing game. I would keep McCarthy but I would insist on him abandoning the zone blocking scheme he is failing to implement effectively. And, I'm not ready to criticize Thompson yet. He has brought in some legitimate talent; like Rodgers and Greg Jennings. He needs to find some defensive playmakers though.
@johnnynfl (87)
• United States
24 Dec 08
I personally didn't think any of them were a legitimate Super Bowl threat coming into the season. I did, however, expect this division to pretty much be up for grabs going into the final weekend with the Bears nudging out the Vikings,Packers, and Lions. Well, we all know how pathetic the Lions turned out to be, and the Packers have surely not held up to their expectations of at least still being in contention to win the division. As for the Bears or the Vikings, while they are both playing about as well as I would have expected coming into the season, I agree that neither has shown any indication that they will be a threat for the Super Bowl. My prediction of the Cowboys over the Patriots is not done yet, but I must admit that neither of those teams is nearly as good as I would have thought before the season began either. I think it is looking more like an all Manning Super Bowl, with the Giants and Colts each looking like Super Bowl contenders coming into the final week of the season. Maybe next season the NFC North will have a team worthy of Super Bowl consideration, but in 2008, they will be lucky to have their division winner win more than one playoff game, if they can even muster that.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
24 Dec 08
I am a Vikings fan....but you are right. It seems like they get so far then lose their steam or something. I thought for sure the Packers were going to win last night but it was not to be. I hope somewhere my Vikings can keep some sort of motivation to move on...it gets very disappointing.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
24 Dec 08
I don't know about the NFC North but I do know that we've just been thrilled with the entire season down here in south Florida. 
After the dismal performance of the Dolphins last season all we heard was "rebuilding...rebuilding...don't expect much cause we're rebuilding". Every week they look more and more like a legitimate threat...but I've probably jinxed them now. Win or lose, it's been a great season! 
After the dismal performance of the Dolphins last season all we heard was "rebuilding...rebuilding...don't expect much cause we're rebuilding". Every week they look more and more like a legitimate threat...but I've probably jinxed them now. Win or lose, it's been a great season! 