First, understand that this is what I did because of what my hometown Detroit Lions have done so far:
So excusing that cheesy youtube link, lets talk NFC North. The Packers and Bears have run this division with Detroit and Minnesota picking up the rear and fighting to be second. But after this week, things look a bit different. Lets break this down.
Chicago Bears: 2-2, Tied for 2nd
Grade : C-
If I was a fan of this team, I wouldnt know whether to demand Jay Cutler be removed from his starting position, or ask for the team to take the season off, find a boat and search for the fountain of youth. This team has had two great games, one against the Jets and another against the 49ers. But they have two losses against the Bills and the Packers, one by a overtime margin and another was an absolute blowout. The Bears need to lockdown and focus more on defense because in the division you are in, you are going against 2 teams that can shoot down your defense in a heartbeat. This team is in serious trouble as they have a loss in the division, which isn't good to start out with.
Next 4 games: at Carolina, at Atlanta, vs Miami, at New England
Difficulty: 7/10
Minnesota Vikings: 2-2, Tied for 2nd
Grade: C
First lets get rid of the elephant in the room. This grade has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that number 28 is not playing this season. But it doesn't mean that it won't affect them this season. They came out like gangbusters vs the Rams, but that win can be poo-poo'ed because of the fact that St. Louis has no QB. Now they had New England on the ropes for a minute but the defense let them down along with the fact they played against Tom Brady. The same formula could be said for the game against New Orleans and if they had a bye for week 4, i would have given them a D. But then week 4 wasn't a bye, it was the first career start for Teddy Bridgewater against a Atlanta Falcons team that just hung 40+ on Tampa Bay. And not only did they win, they did impressively. Matt Asiata balled out and Teddy Bridgewater, i mean what else can be said, there is a reason he was taken in the first round and a lot of teams that passed him up( cough Houston, Cleveland, Buffalo, Jacksonville) are going to look sad because he is going to shine in this division which will make him a star.
Next 4 games: at Green Bay, vs Detroit, at Buffalo, at Tampa Bay
Difficulty: 8/10
Green Bay Packers: 2-2, Tied for 2nd
Grade: B
This team has won the division for the past 3 years. 3 Straight years, hell they even won it last year with a 8-7-1 record. And you would think that because Aaron Rodgers tells the Packers fans to "RELAX" that I would do the same. I don't think so. First lets address the first 4 games, particularly the losses. First and foremost both teams played the exact same on defense only difference is that the Seattle win wasn't as embarrassing as the Detroit loss because A) they are the defending champs and B) for the most part, Aaron Rodgers is such a threat that the Packers should have put up a better fight. But that didnt happen. The reason the Packers lost is because they realized Green Bay's critical flaw: The O-line and D-line is weaker than a pack of tissue dumped in a pool and your running game isn't all its cracked up to be. Green Bay needs to fix both sides if they want to make the playoffs and what makes it worse it that your wins, while impressive, proved nothing. You allowed Geno Smith and the Jets to put 24 on you and almost won the game if not for a boneheaded timeout, and you outshot the Bears( which if you've gotten this far, you know why). Green Bay will always pose a threat in this division if the offense plays like this, but think about this: What do you trust more: that the division will fall apart, ready for you to take it or that your defense can hold teams to 17 points every week and you can put up 20+ points offensively? Only time will tell.
Next 4 games: vs Minnesota, at Miami, vs Carolina, at New Orleans
Difficulty: 6/10
Detroit Lions: 3-1, 1st Place
Grade: B+
Now why would i give this team a B+ despite the fact that they are in 1st place? Why would I give a team that has a dangerous offense, a deadly defense, new coaching and winning despite major injury losses to both sides of the ball? Because they can and should be more dangerous. Lets look at the teams they have played:
NY Giants (2-2)
Green Bay Packers (2-2)
Carolina Panthers (1-3)
NY Jets (2-2)
Guess which game sticks out like a sore thumb for this team in first place? The Carolina game. I can't believe that a team this potent on offense and defense lost to the Panthers, who look like a complete and utter shell of themselves. But you can't win every game so lets breakdown what we have learned about this team so far. First off, we've learned this team, despite targeting Calvin Johnson the first 3 games, doesn't need to rely on Calvin to win football games, and that was evident in the Jets and Packers win. We also learned that this defense is dangerous and only gets more dangerous the more its hurt. They have lost Linebackers, DBs, and 2 of their draft picks to injury( although Kyle Van Noy is set to come back by the halfway point of the season) and everyone would paint this team for dead. This team reminds me of the DC comics villain Doomsday. Injure it, and not only does it come back but it can't be hurt the way it was before. If this team plays like that, hopefully not with anymore injuries, they can go from being a divisional threat to a conference threat.
Next 4 games: vs Buffalo, at Minnesota, vs New Orleans, at Atlanta(UK Game) Difficulty: 6.5/10
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