Suprise Teams

[jag]

My bold prediction: The Minnesota Vikings will win the NFC North.

[Moses]

Should implies that there is a much greater than 50% chance of making the playoffs.

The Colts should make the playoffs. The Packers could. It's an issue of semantics but an important one IMO.

I said that IF some key young guys step up, THEN the Packers SHOULD make the playoffs. So, if their young guys develop like they hope, they should make the playoffs. If they don't, there's a slim-to-none chance the Packers make the playoffs.

If I was an oddsmaker, I'd put the Packers at about 50% chance of making the playoffs. I think the NFC North is going to see a big shake-up this year and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see any of the teams in last place in the division.

[TheChampIsHere]

The Bengals will surprise people and either win the superbowl or come extremely close.

[bearsfan_51]

If I was an oddsmaker, I'd put the Packers at about 50% chance of making the playoffs. I think the NFC North is going to see a big shake-up this year and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see any of the teams in last place in the division.

No way in hell. The Packers are about a 20-25% chance of making the playoffs. Look it up. I realize that is your opinion but as an oddsmaker you would get robbed. I've seen the Packers anywhere from a 4/1 to 5/1 odds to make the playoffs. The over/under on wins is from 7 to 7 1/2. For comparison, the Bucs are 4/1 odds and the Falcons are 3/1 odds to win the NFC South. The Bears have the same odds to get back to the Superbowl.

As for all your hypotheticals, I think even if those things happen they are still at best a 50-60% chance to make it. Should implies that there is at least an 80-90% chance of something happening.

[ny10804]

Packers will easily win the division next year.

[Moses]

No way in hell. The Packers are about a 20% chance of making the playoffs. Look it up. I realize that is your opinion but as an oddsmaker you would get robbed.

As for all your hypotheticals, I think even if those things happen they are still at best a 50-60% chance to make it. Should implies that there is at least an 80-90% chance of something happening.

If Jennings plays even as good as he did pre-injury last season...

If Jackson/Morency establish a consistent running game...

If the young offensive line continues to improve...

The Packers should make the playoffs. I see no reason that they shouldn't.

[LarryJohnson27]

No way in hell. The Packers are about a 20% chance of making the playoffs. Look it up. I realize that is your opinion but as an oddsmaker you would get robbed. I've seen the Packers anywhere from a 4/1 to 5/1 odds to make the playoffs. The over/under on wins is from 7 to 7 1/2.

As for all your hypotheticals, I think even if those things happen they are still at best a 50-60% chance to make it. Should implies that there is at least an 80-90% chance of something happening.

I agree. The Bears will likely win the division, and with the Lions possibly suprising, it's hard to say the Packers have a 50% chance. I think the Packers will finsish 2nd in the division and just miss.

[bearsfan_51]

If Jennings plays even as good as he did pre-injury last season...

If Jackson/Morency establish a consistent running game...

If the young offensive line continues to improve...

The Packers should make the playoffs. I see no reason that they shouldn't.

Cause there are 15 other teams and the Packers aren't exactly overwhelming with talent. For as diplomatic as some of us talk around here I think that people sometimes underestimate how big of a gap there still is between the Bears and everyone else in the North. There is the wild card, but there are only 2 of them, and 12 teams vying for them. I wouldn't take a 1/6 odds under any circumstance.

[remix 6]

Rams, Giants, KC Chiefs

how the giants?
-downgrade at RB
-no LT that can replace Petitigout
-no DT yet that can hold it down
-Added Ross but he wont be able to make an impact as a starter right away on defense

plus Giants made it last year..wheres the suprise?

my suprise team? Redskins. Portis + Betts are a top duo..Campbell is developing nicely..Moss is gonna be healthy and have a good QB..Cooley is good. Their OL is underrated and has a lot of talent.

defensive line is the same but Carter improved by the end of season..they added Fletcher at MLB..Good depth with Marshall on bench playing backup outside and middle. Archuleta is gone..added Landry. Added Smoot who i think will do better in Washington than he did in the cover 2 at Minny. I see them being a wildcard in the NFC

[BlindSite]

I think that the raiders might be a big surprise. Their line can block, they just need to be coached better.

With the additions they've made if at QB they can just manage the game they'll be competitive with that defense.

As for in the NFC, the Panthers will play strong if they're healthy. I also like the 49ers more and more every year.

[Moses]

Cause there are 15 other teams and the Packers aren't exactly overwhelming with talent. For as diplomatic as some of us talk around here I think that people sometimes underestimate how big of a gap there still is between the Bears and everyone else in the North. There is the wild card, but there are only 2 of them, and 12 teams vying for them. I wouldn't take a 1/6 odds under any circumstance.

Packers are 4:1 to win the NFC North according to BoDog Sportsbook.

On paper, I think the Packers are close to the Bears in terms of talent. Also, the Packers are in a position in which they haven't lost anything and have gained players and their young players are getting better.

[bearsfan_51]

Packers are 4:1 to win the NFC North according to BoDog Sportsbook.

On paper, I think the Packers are close to the Bears in terms of talent. Also, the Packers are in a position in which they haven't lost anything and have gained players and their young players are getting better.

A couple of things.

1)As I edited in my previous post, 4:1 odds isn't that great. The Bears are 4:1 odds to get back to the Superbowl. That's versus 15 other teams. The Bucs are 4:1 odds to win the NFC South. The Falcons are 3:1 odds.

2)The Packers haven't lost anything? Your leading rusher and your best tight end aren't anything? Yes, David Martin is better than Bubba Franks. That might not be saying much but it's true.

3)The young players are only getting better? I'm assuming that you are basing the 4 game swing as your basis of comparison. That might be ok for a chat board but it's not a good way to make a line.

4)I think most people would disagree with the notion that the Bears and Packers are close in talent. I'll give you QB. That's about it. WR and D-Line are close. Linebacker could be if Briggs is MIA.

There's a reason why the Bears are still big favorites again. A 50% odds is crazy. I don't know what other stats I can pull up to show that.

[Moses]

A couple of things.

1)As I edited in my previous post, 4:1 odds isn't that great. The Bears are 4:1 odds to get back to the Superbowl. That's versus 15 other teams. The Bucs are 4:1 odds to win the NFC South. The Falcons are 3:1 odds.

2)The Packers haven't lost anything? Your leading rusher and your best tight end aren't anything? Yes, David Martin is better than Bubba Franks. That might not be saying much but it's true.

3)The young players are only getting better? I'm assuming that you are basing the 4 game swing as your basis of comparison. That might be ok for a chat board but it's not a good way to make a line.

4)I think most people would disagree with the notion that the Bears and Packers are close in talent. I'll give you QB. That's about it. WR and D-Line are close. Linebacker could be if Briggs is MIA.

There's a reason why the Bears are still big favorites again. A 50% odds is crazy. I don't know what other stats I can pull up to show that.

Ahman Green is a great player (one of my favourites) but he is replaceable, especially with his injury history. Jackson/Morency are both capable backs and I think they'll have no trouble filling the void left by Green.

David Martin is nothing special and he won't be missed very much. I personally didn't feel he was the best TE on the roster but that's debatable. He's very similar to Donald Lee and I doubt the Packers will miss him.

Younger players typically do get better after a few seasons. Why wouldn't they? More experience, more coaching, etc. = better player.

Barnett, Hawk, Jenkins, Williams, Cole, Poppinga, Hodge, Blackmon, Dendy, Collins, Culver, Underwood, etc. are all young defensive guys with only a few years experience. Plus, this is their second season under McCarthy. Players always struggle when learning new schemes. The offensive guys include Morency, Herron, Miree, Martin, Jennings, Colledge, Spitz, Moll, Wells, and a whole slew of WRs. There are so many young guys that are going to be a year better. The Packers biggest improvement from last season will be their young players being a year older.

Where are the Bears head and shoulders above the Packers?

[bearsfan_51]

You're assuming that they are going to be better just because they are young. For every guy that develops there are are 2-3 that don't. That's the nature of football.

As for where the Bears are better, did you watch last season? We went to the Superbowl. You won 8 games. I'm really not being flippant here either, I'm being serious. It's not as if it was even close.

[Bengals1690]

NFC North Standings-
1.. Green Bay
2. Lions
3. Bears
4. Vikings

you never know...