NFL: NFC North Week 1 Reaction - 3 Horse Race

Jay Cutler. Photo courtesy of NFL 

by Chad Jones
                 
Green Bay- Aaron Rodgers makes the Pack Favorites 
Over the past 4 seasons, Aaron Rodgers has led the Packers to 47 Wins against a mere 17 losses. It's built around Rodgers' execution of Mike McCarthy's scheme, whose talent covers up issues across the team. The first issue has been the offensive line. Starting a 4th Round Rookie Left Tackle & a 2012 Undrafted Free Agent at Right Tackle; many perceived issues would persist in 2013. Against a tough road opponent, protection was better than many anticipated. The concern that persists is the one dimensional offense, lacking a complementary running game despite a 2nd Round investment in Eddie Lacy. 


On defense, the unit struggled in a 2012 stretch devoid Clay Matthews III & stopping the run throughout. Having allowed 118.5 RYPG in 2012, the Front Office upgraded their defensive front with 1st rounder Datone Jones & the return Johnny Jolly. Success will continue to hinge on the group up front, as the backend should improve with the return of safety Morgan Burnett. Despite the loss in San Francisco, the Packers are contenders to reach Super Bowl XLVIII, so long as Rodgers remains healthy. 

Detroit- New Parts coming Together to Save Schwartz's Job
Jim Schwartz entered year 5 in Detroit having amassed a 22-42 record. Owned by the Ford Family, known for loyalty & patience with regimes, impatience is brewing. What the organization will tell impatient fans is the seismic rebuild Schwartz had to orchestrate, as only Calvin Johnson remains on the roster from prior to Schwartz's arrival. Desperate to prove the team was on the right track, the Lions spent significantly in Free Agency to shore up personnel issues. 

To say Detroit had moving parts this offseason would be an understatement. Entering the starting lineup are 3 offensive linemen & Reggie Bush; while the Defensive Side welcomes 5 new faces. Establishing continuity many anticipated would require time, but week 1 showed the process taking shape. The offensive line as a whole looked improved, and Reggie Bush made plays to fill the void of Jahvid Best's perpetual durability issues. 

Defense remains a work in progress, surrendering 27 points to Division Rival Minnesota & accumulating 11 penalties on Sunday. The major positive was improved run defense, which swarmed 2012 MVP Adrian Peterson, bottling him up to a mere 93 yards, most of which came on one 78 yard carry. After week 1, Detroit appears improved & a legitimate contender for either the NFC Norris, or an NFC Wild Card Spot. 

Chicago: Jay Cutler- A 'Franchise' Quarterback? 
Maximizing Jay Cutler's abilities was the task first year Head Coach Marc Trestman was brought down from the CFL to accomplish. In week 1, Cutler was magnificent behind a vastly improved offensive line. Having projected Chicago for 6-7 wins in 2013, week 1 forced reevaluation. If the offense can remain two-pronged, drawing on Cutler in the passing game & a talented two head monster of running backs, the Bears could be a contender in a deep NFC Conference. The issues appeared on Defense, where the unit looked a year older & less opportunistic. The concern going forward will be continuing to improve on the offensive side, while not regressing from the storied traditions of Bears Defensive Football. 

Minnesota: Ponder-Terrific or Ponder-Terrible? 
The Minnesota Vikings didn't look terrible on the macro-level, but the Lions schematically limited Adrian Peterson's success on the ground, and Christian Ponder failed to fill the production void. Ponder's success in the passing game came on Play Action, and while he delivered multiple vertical strikes, he failed to make plays to garner the victory. Through the duration of the campaign, the question in Minnesota will be the future of Ponder. If the definition of mediocre is average, it's hard to say Ponder is even middle-of-the-road in the starting QB ranks at this point in his career. 

The Defense contained Calvin Johnson, but were exploited by matchup issues against Reggie Bush & crafty veteran Nate Burleson. While the defense did show more intricacy in it's coverage schemes with more man mixed in, the pass rush generated a mere 4 QB Hits. When you look at the foundation of the team, GM Rick Spielman has built a talented roster through the draft process. The issue remains the QB, which makes Minnesota only a viable playoff contender if Adrian Peterson can repeat his 2012 magical performance. 

Bottom Line: 
The NFC North has 3 legitimate postseason contenders. If Minnesota is fortunate to reach the playoffs on the back of Adrian Peterson, expect an early exit. The gameplan to stop the Vikings isn't complex, it's force Ponder to beat you. In a pass-driven league, the other 3 Divisional Quarterbacks appear to have that ability on Any Given Sunday.