We're Black and Blue All Over:

Good Tuesday to everyone. As I'm sure you're aware, the NFL will announce its AFC and NFC Pro Bowl teams Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. Some teams probably will announce those who are elected alternates as well.

I'll post some analysis shortly after the announcements are made. Remember, Pro Bowl teams are based on voting from fans, players and coaches.

We discussed what I considered the big issues for NFC North players last week. To that list I'll add the status of Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril who now has 11 sacks and has now returned a fumble and an interception for touchdowns.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Lions are reigning in their emotions and playing with more control, writes Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
• The Lions will enter the playoffs without much of a running game or run defense, notes John Niyo of the Detroit News.
• Sticking to the plan has worked for the Lions and coach Jim Schwartz, writes Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
• Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune examines why the Chicago Bears couldn't get a pass rush Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers.
• Receiver Roy Williams hopes the Bears want him back, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Could Josh McCown be the Bears' backup quarterback in 2012? Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times looks at that issue.
• The Packers would like for veteran left tackle Chad Clifton to get some work Sunday against the Lions. Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com has more.
• Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looks at the Packers' potential playoff opponents.
• Packers coach Mike McCarthy called Sunday night's game the worst example of run defense in his time as Green Bay's head coach. Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette explains.
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com breaks down the tape of the Vikings' victory over the Washington Redskins, noting the beating that quarterback Christian Ponder took.
• The Vikings hope that Ponder, who suffered a concussion in the game, can start the season finale against the Bears, according to Chris Miller of the Star Tribune.
• The Vikings don't plan to alter their offense in the wake of tailback Adrian Peterson's knee injury, according to Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.