NFC North: Midseason 09 NFC North
Video: Midseason NFC North Report Card
November, 11, 2009
11/11/09
2:20
PM ET
By
Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com
ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton gives you his midseason grades for each team in the NFC North.
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Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
Power Rankings: Preseason: 9. This week: 3
2009 Schedule/Results
Where they stand: The Vikings (7-1) emerge from their bye with a commanding three-game division lead and a comforting stretch of three consecutive games at home. Quarterback Brett Favre is the NFL’s second highest-rated passer (106.0) and tailback Adrian Peterson is tied for third among league runners with 789 yards. Defensively, the Vikings are giving up more yards (332 per game) than they have in recent years, but they lead the league in sacks and their special teams are giving them the best average field position in the league.
Disappointments: The run defense has slipped a bit after leading the NFL in each of the past three seasons. In Minnesota, however, “slip” is a relative term. The Vikings are still holding teams to 94.8 rushing yards per game, good for No. 8 in the NFL. But it’s been interesting to see the Vikings ration the playing time of 37-year-old nose tackle Pat Williams. Safety Tyrell Johnson has been mostly invisible after replacing the departed Darren Sharper in the starting lineup. His tackling is less sure than advertised and he isn’t much of a factor in the passing game.
Surprises: Favre will one day make the Hall of Fame, but few people thought he could skip training camp and perform at this level. He’s completing nearly 70 percent of his passes and has thrown only three interceptions in eight games. (Favre’s career-low for a season is 13 interceptions.) Rookie receiver Percy Harvin was a celebrated high draft pick, but his impact has exceeded expectations -- especially as a kick returner. His 30.7-yard average leads the NFL. The Vikings don’t appear to have missed a beat after replacing two starters on their offensive line. Center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt have settled in nicely.
Outlook: The next month is set up for the Vikings to clinch the NFC North. Consecutive home games against Detroit (1-7) and Seattle (3-5) should put them at 9-1 entering a Nov. 29 matchup with Chicago at the Metrodome. If they win that game to go 10-1, the Vikings would be at least four games ahead of the Bears with five left to play. (We’re all but counting out the Packers in this scenario because they’ve already lost twice to Minnesota). Unless they hit a dramatic roadblock, the Vikings will compete with New Orleans for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
Power Rankings: Preseason: 9. This week: 3
2009 Schedule/Results
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| Tom Dahlin/Getty Images | |
| Brett Favre has exceeded expectations since coming out of retirement to play for the Vikings. |
Disappointments: The run defense has slipped a bit after leading the NFL in each of the past three seasons. In Minnesota, however, “slip” is a relative term. The Vikings are still holding teams to 94.8 rushing yards per game, good for No. 8 in the NFL. But it’s been interesting to see the Vikings ration the playing time of 37-year-old nose tackle Pat Williams. Safety Tyrell Johnson has been mostly invisible after replacing the departed Darren Sharper in the starting lineup. His tackling is less sure than advertised and he isn’t much of a factor in the passing game.
Surprises: Favre will one day make the Hall of Fame, but few people thought he could skip training camp and perform at this level. He’s completing nearly 70 percent of his passes and has thrown only three interceptions in eight games. (Favre’s career-low for a season is 13 interceptions.) Rookie receiver Percy Harvin was a celebrated high draft pick, but his impact has exceeded expectations -- especially as a kick returner. His 30.7-yard average leads the NFL. The Vikings don’t appear to have missed a beat after replacing two starters on their offensive line. Center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt have settled in nicely.
Outlook: The next month is set up for the Vikings to clinch the NFC North. Consecutive home games against Detroit (1-7) and Seattle (3-5) should put them at 9-1 entering a Nov. 29 matchup with Chicago at the Metrodome. If they win that game to go 10-1, the Vikings would be at least four games ahead of the Bears with five left to play. (We’re all but counting out the Packers in this scenario because they’ve already lost twice to Minnesota). Unless they hit a dramatic roadblock, the Vikings will compete with New Orleans for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
Power Rankings: Preseason: 11. This week: 19.
2009 Schedule/Results
Where they stand: The Bears are 4-4 and technically tied with Green Bay for second place in the NFC North. But if the season were to end at its midpoint, tiebreakers would leave the Bears far from the NFC wild-card race. (They would be ninth in a six-team field.) Their defense has continued a slow slide from its height in 2006, and their revamped offensive line has left them with a less productive running game than a year ago. New quarterback Jay Cutler has improved the Bears’ passing numbers but, unfortunately for them, not their win-loss percentage.
Disappointments: Where to start? High-priced free agent Frank Omiyale flopped as a left guard and might find his way to right tackle. Veteran left tackle Orlando Pace is a shell of his Pro Bowl self. Tight end Greg Olsen’s 27 receptions ranks 15th among tight ends. New strongside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa suffered two knee injuries and was lost for the season. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris has continued to behave bizarrely and doesn’t appear to have the interior playmaking ability that once made him one of the NFL’s top defensive linemen. And finally, to this point at least, coach Lovie Smith’s takeover of the defensive play calling has failed to elevate the defense from its performance of a year ago.
Surprises: No one gave a second thought to receiver Johnny Knox when he was drafted in the fifth round. But Knox has given the Bears a legitimate offensive playmaker and filled a huge gap as the No. 3 receiver. He ranks third among NFL rookies with 28 receptions and fifth with 340 yards. Rookie Al Afalava, a sixth-round draft choice, emerged from training camp as a starting safety. But a shoulder injury Sunday puts his status in doubt. Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, in a contract year, is a half-sack away from matching his entire sack output (five) for 2008.
Outlook: The trade for Cutler brought high expectations for this team, and so a 4-4 first-half performance has raised the ire of fans and media members alike. The Bears have two games remaining against the Vikings, but even a sweep wouldn’t guarantee a division title. In all reality, the Bears are in a difficult fight for a wild-card spot. Without a substantial improvement in their defense, the Bears will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Power Rankings: Preseason: 11. This week: 19.
2009 Schedule/Results
Where they stand: The Bears are 4-4 and technically tied with Green Bay for second place in the NFC North. But if the season were to end at its midpoint, tiebreakers would leave the Bears far from the NFC wild-card race. (They would be ninth in a six-team field.) Their defense has continued a slow slide from its height in 2006, and their revamped offensive line has left them with a less productive running game than a year ago. New quarterback Jay Cutler has improved the Bears’ passing numbers but, unfortunately for them, not their win-loss percentage.
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| AP Photo/John Froschauer | |
| Lovie Smith took over control of the defense, but that move has yet to pay off. |
Surprises: No one gave a second thought to receiver Johnny Knox when he was drafted in the fifth round. But Knox has given the Bears a legitimate offensive playmaker and filled a huge gap as the No. 3 receiver. He ranks third among NFL rookies with 28 receptions and fifth with 340 yards. Rookie Al Afalava, a sixth-round draft choice, emerged from training camp as a starting safety. But a shoulder injury Sunday puts his status in doubt. Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, in a contract year, is a half-sack away from matching his entire sack output (five) for 2008.
Outlook: The trade for Cutler brought high expectations for this team, and so a 4-4 first-half performance has raised the ire of fans and media members alike. The Bears have two games remaining against the Vikings, but even a sweep wouldn’t guarantee a division title. In all reality, the Bears are in a difficult fight for a wild-card spot. Without a substantial improvement in their defense, the Bears will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
Power rankings: Preseason: 32. This week: 29
2009 Schedule/Results
Where they stand: The Lions (1-7) snapped their losing streak with a victory Sept. 27 over Washington but have lost five consecutive games since. The past two weeks have been especially exasperating: A loss to then-winless St. Louis followed by a 32-20 loss at Seattle, where the Lions had jumped out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead. Anecdotally, the Lions appear to be improved this season but so far they have only one victory to show for it.
Disappointments: Running back Kevin Smith was supposed to take pressure off rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, but instead Smith has been unable to establish any consistency as a runner. A shoulder injury has played a role in his sophomore slump, but the bottom line is a 57.5-yard per game average for a player the Lions hoped could be a 1,200-yard back this season. Cornerback Phillip Buchanon, expected to be the team’s top cover man, has been benched several times this season. Defensive end Cliff Avril, who the Lions hoped would serve as a strong edge pass-rusher, has been slowed by injuries and has 2.5 sacks. Receiver Bryant Johnson has a pair of touchdown receptions but unofficially has five drops on the season.
Surprises: Stafford has thrown 12 interceptions and is completing 52 percent of his passes, but most of his mistakes have been from aggression rather than lack of understanding. Stafford appears to have a strong grasp of the Lions' offense and enough football instincts that, even at 21, he’s never looked out of place as an NFL starter. Rookie linebacker DeAndre Levy has been battling veteran Ernie Sims for the starting weakside linebacker spot and has made perhaps the most positive contribution of any Lions rookie this season. Levy moves well, hits hard and has a bright future.
Outlook: The Lions might be out of the playoff hunt, but they can make some inroads on next season by establishing young starters at a variety of positions. The continued development of Stafford, Levy, safety Louis Delmas, tight end Brandon Pettigrew and defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill would give them something tangible to build off for 2010.
Power rankings: Preseason: 32. This week: 29
2009 Schedule/Results
Where they stand: The Lions (1-7) snapped their losing streak with a victory Sept. 27 over Washington but have lost five consecutive games since. The past two weeks have been especially exasperating: A loss to then-winless St. Louis followed by a 32-20 loss at Seattle, where the Lions had jumped out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead. Anecdotally, the Lions appear to be improved this season but so far they have only one victory to show for it.
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| Jerry Lai/US Presswire | |
| Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been under pressure for much of his rookie season. |
Surprises: Stafford has thrown 12 interceptions and is completing 52 percent of his passes, but most of his mistakes have been from aggression rather than lack of understanding. Stafford appears to have a strong grasp of the Lions' offense and enough football instincts that, even at 21, he’s never looked out of place as an NFL starter. Rookie linebacker DeAndre Levy has been battling veteran Ernie Sims for the starting weakside linebacker spot and has made perhaps the most positive contribution of any Lions rookie this season. Levy moves well, hits hard and has a bright future.
Outlook: The Lions might be out of the playoff hunt, but they can make some inroads on next season by establishing young starters at a variety of positions. The continued development of Stafford, Levy, safety Louis Delmas, tight end Brandon Pettigrew and defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill would give them something tangible to build off for 2010.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
Power Rankings: Preseason: 12. This week: 17
2009 Schedule/Results
Where they stand: The Packers are 4-4 and tied with Chicago for second place in the NFC North. A pair of losses to Minnesota has all but scuttled the Packers’ chances for the division title, but there are greater concerns about this team. Three of its four victories have come against opponents who are currently 1-7: St. Louis, Cleveland and Detroit. Green Bay has given up an NFL-high 37 sacks and have faced the ignominy of watching former quarterback Brett Favre lead Minnesota to a 7-1 start.
Disappointments: The Packers have failed to establish the consistency they hoped to achieve on the offensive line. Instead, the line is in as much disarray as ever. The only Week 1 starter who seems on solid ground is right guard Josh Sitton. Otherwise, both tackle positions are in flux and left guard Daryn Colledge has regressed. First-round draft pick B.J. Raji missed the beginning of training camp in a contract holdout, promptly sprained his ankle and has made minimal impact on the defensive line. No one should be surprised, but veteran Aaron Kampman hasn’t made an impact at linebacker in the Packers’ new 3-4 scheme and has been spending more time as a traditional defensive end.
Surprises: Linebacker Brandon Chillar emerged from training camp as one of the Packers’ top linebackers and has fit well into the scheme. But as per Green Bay’s luck, Chillar fractured his hand two weeks ago and is sidelined. Most observers thought A.J. Hawk would be a natural fit for the 3-4 defense. He wasn’t quite fast enough as an outside linebacker in the 4-3 and perhaps not big enough to be a middle linebacker in that alignment. But Hawk hasn’t made much impact as a 3-4 inside linebacker, either, and has seen his playing time diminish significantly.
Outlook: Based on the strength (or weakness) of the Packers’ victories this season, it’s hard to paint a rosy picture for the second half of the season. It’s also difficult to conceive of a quick fix to their season-long problems on the offensive line. Barring sudden cohesion there, the second half of the Packers’ season could devolve into a referendum on the futures of general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy. Both have long-term contracts in place, but these days angst is high in Green Bay.
Power Rankings: Preseason: 12. This week: 17
2009 Schedule/Results
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| AP Photo/Morry Gash | |
| There are questions about the futures of Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy. |
Disappointments: The Packers have failed to establish the consistency they hoped to achieve on the offensive line. Instead, the line is in as much disarray as ever. The only Week 1 starter who seems on solid ground is right guard Josh Sitton. Otherwise, both tackle positions are in flux and left guard Daryn Colledge has regressed. First-round draft pick B.J. Raji missed the beginning of training camp in a contract holdout, promptly sprained his ankle and has made minimal impact on the defensive line. No one should be surprised, but veteran Aaron Kampman hasn’t made an impact at linebacker in the Packers’ new 3-4 scheme and has been spending more time as a traditional defensive end.
Surprises: Linebacker Brandon Chillar emerged from training camp as one of the Packers’ top linebackers and has fit well into the scheme. But as per Green Bay’s luck, Chillar fractured his hand two weeks ago and is sidelined. Most observers thought A.J. Hawk would be a natural fit for the 3-4 defense. He wasn’t quite fast enough as an outside linebacker in the 4-3 and perhaps not big enough to be a middle linebacker in that alignment. But Hawk hasn’t made much impact as a 3-4 inside linebacker, either, and has seen his playing time diminish significantly.
Outlook: Based on the strength (or weakness) of the Packers’ victories this season, it’s hard to paint a rosy picture for the second half of the season. It’s also difficult to conceive of a quick fix to their season-long problems on the offensive line. Barring sudden cohesion there, the second half of the Packers’ season could devolve into a referendum on the futures of general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy. Both have long-term contracts in place, but these days angst is high in Green Bay.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and children.
