2010 Record = 11-5, 1st in Division (Lost NFC Championship Game vs. Packers)
Key Additions = RB Marion Barber, WR Roy Williams, DT Amobi Akoye, C Chris SpencerKey Losses = C Olin Kreutz, S Daniel Manning, DT Tommie Harris
Schedule = Falcons, @ Saints, Packers, Panthers, @ Lions, Vikings, @ Buccaneers, BYE, @ Eagles, Lions, Chargers, @ Raiders, Chiefs, @ Broncos, Seahawks, @ Packers, @ Vikings
Real-Life Outlook = Chicago was one of the greatest smoke and mirrors team we’ve seen in a long time in 2010. Despite the inability to block for Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, and lack of a number one receiver, the Bears still were able to steal a division championship. They even had the good fortune of getting the Seahawks at home in the divisional round, while top-seeded Atlanta got stuck dealing with Green Bay (we all know how that turned out). The clock finally struck midnight for the Bears against the Packers in the NFC Championship Game, and I’m willing to bet that Chicago will not be so lucky this season. Any team that gives up as many sacks as Chicago is bound for a disastrous season. Everyone likes to rag on Cutler, but it will be the shoddy players blocking for him that will undo this team.
Fantasy Outlook = Cutler has the talent to be an elite fantasy quarterback (he was an elite QB during his last season in Denver), but his supporting cast relegates him to back-up duty in the fantasy game. Matt Forte is a name to consider in PPR leagues, but don’t be shocked if Marion Barber steals goal line carries. All relevant Bears’ wide outs should be drafted, as the potential is there for one of them to break out. So far Roy Williams has been the most impressive in training camp, but also keep an eye on Johnny Knox and Devin Hester. Ceiling = 13-3
Floor = 3-13No Credentials Prediction = 5-11
3. Minnesota Vikings
2010 Record = 6-10, 4th in Division
Key Additions = QB Donovan McNabb, T Charlie JohnsonKey Losses = WR Sidney Rice, DE Ray Edwards, QB Brett Favre, T Bryant McKinnie, LB Ben Leber, S Madieu Williams
Schedule = @ Chargers, Buccaneers, Lions, @ Chiefs, Cardinals, @ Bears, Packers, @ Panthers, BYE, @ Packers, Raiders, @ Falcons, Broncos, @ Lions, Saints, @ Redskins, Bears
Real-Life Outlook = Minnesota’s 2010 campaign was just like Chicago’s, except it was the exact opposite. It’s a shame the 2010 Vikings weren’t around eight years ago, because ESPN could’ve saved money on filming “Playmakers” and just followed the Vikings around for four months. Fortunately for Vikings’ fans, things are looking up. Gone is quarterback Brett Favre (and Brett Favre’s cellphone). Gone is Brad Childress and his horrendous play-calling, decision making, and creepy look of a guy that could show up on one of NBC’s “To Catch a Predator” specials. Gone is the hole in The Metrodome’s roof (watch this video to see how excited Jared Allen is to play there again). I’m expecting the Vikings to be a much more run oriented football team this season, which will mean big things from Adrian Peterson. Depending on how well the defense plays (their secondary still appears to be a major concern), this could be a team that makes a surprise run at a wildcard spot. I wouldn’t bet on it, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Fantasy Outlook = With the offense getting lost in the hands of Brett Favre the past two seasons, it seemed like Minnesota forgot they employed arguably the most talented back in the NFL. No Credentials is expecting a huge year from AP (as evidenced by his status as the first pick in the No Credentials Fantasy Football Mock Draft, sponsored by Prompto. Need an oil change? Go to Prompto Baby!). Unless the league you’re in awards points for hand-offs, don’t rely on Donovan McNabb as your regular starter. Percy Harvin has been migraine free for months now, and is the clear #1 receiver going into the season. If he can stay healthy, don’t be shocked if catches 80 passes for 1,100 yards.Ceiling = 11-5
Floor = 4-12
No Credentials Prediction = 7-9
2. Detroit Lions
2010 Record = 6-10, 3rd in Division
Key Additions = LB Stephen Tulloch, LB Justin Durant, CB Eric Wright, RB Jerome HarrisonKey Losses = LB Julian Peterson
Schedule = @ Buccaneers, Chiefs, @ Vikings, @ Cowboys, Bears, 49ers, Falcons, @ Broncos, BYE, @ Bears, Panthers, Packers, @ Saints, Vikings, @ Raiders, Chargers, @ Packers
Real-Life Outlook = No beaten down fan base should have more reason for optimism than the fans of the Detroit Lions. After nearly a decade of futility under Matt Millen (remember Millen taking a wide receiver in the first round three straight seasons?), the franchise finally looks like it has a sense of direction. Their defensive tackle tandem has a chance to be the best interior line pair for the next decade. Behind the two behemoths, the Lions have shored up their linebacking corps. Detroit is one solid corner away from having a top-5 defense.
Offensively, the success of this team hinges entirely on whether or not the offensive line can help keep Matthew Stafford’s shoulders in their sockets. Stafford has suffered three separated shoulders so far during his NFL career. He flashed tremendous upside when healthy last season (6 touchdown passes to only one interception), so keeping him healthy and upright is of utmost importance. All in all, while I expect Detroit to be a tough team to play week in and week out, look for 2012 to be the year the Lions bust into the playoff picture.Fantasy Outlook = Calvin Johnson is the one sure-fire fantasy stud employed by the Lions. A healthy Stafford for 16 games should propel Megatron to a career season, and maybe even the best fantasy year for a wide receiver in 2011. Stafford is a great player to target if you plan on using two quarterbacks (and picking the one with the best match-up week to week) throughout the season. Jahvid Best has the talent to deliver a similar statistical line to what LeSean McCoy put up last season, but be prepared for an injury or two to keep him out of action. He’s a very risky option as your second runningback.
Ceiling = 12-4
Floor = 4-12No Credentials Prediction = 9-7
1. Green Bay Packers
2010 Record = 10-6, 2nd in Division (Won Super Bowl)
Key Additions = NoneKey Losses = DE Cullen Jenkins, LB Nick Barnett, G Daryn Colledge
Schedule = Saints, @ Panthers, @ Bears, Broncos, @ Falcons, Rams, @ Vikings, BYE, @ Chargers, Vikings, Buccaneers, @ Lions, @ Giants, Raiders, @ Chiefs, Bears, Lions
Real-Life Outlook = It would’ve been more accurate for me to list all of the players that the Packers won the Super Bowl without last season because of injuries as key additions. Green Bay was without Ryan Grant, Donald Driver, Jermichael Finley, and Charles Woodson by the time the Super Bowl ended. Green Bay is still one of the youngest teams in the league, with a core that is poised to enter it’s prime. The best thing that’s happened for the Packers is all the hoopla surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles and their off-season additions. It’s not often that a defending Super Bowl champion gets to fly under the radar.
Fantasy Outlook = Aaron Rodgers will be the second quarterback taken in your fantasy draft (unless you’re league is full of dog lovers, then he will probably go first). He’ll come off the board sometime before pick 10. 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns is not an outlandish prediction for a quarterback of Rodgers talent combined with the resources he has to work with. Greg Jennings should come off the board anywhere from picks 21 through 30. Jermichael Finley had his breakout 2010 campaign shut down by a knee injury, but appears fully healthy coming into this season. Finley is ranked as the second best tight end in fantasy by No Credentials. Jordy Nelson and James Jones should also be drafted as bye-week subs. The most interesting battle in Green Bay’s training camp/pre-season is the competition between Ryan Grant and James Starks for the starting runningback gig. Grant was a workhorse for the Packers ever since assuming the starting role halfway through the 2007 season, but blew his knee out in the first game of 2010. Starks was used sparingly until week 15, but was a monster during Green Bay’s improbable Super Bowl run. If you can, it would be wise to draft both of them and see which one emerges as the most productive player. Green Bay will have plenty of red-zone scoring opportunities. Personally, I would prefer to take Starks in round 9 or 10 as opposed to taking Grant in round 4 or 5.
Ceiling = 15-1
Floor = 11-5No Credentials Prediction = 14-2
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