NFC North
I don't know that I can be trusted to provide unbiased look at this division, but I'll try. Green Bay will put together a 12-4 or 13-3 season and win the division. So much for being unbiased, but I'm probably not that far off. Brett Favre was legendary last year because he was healthy all year. He is well on his way again this season. Ahman Green will be a 1,000-yard rusher again. The defense has shown flashes of outright brilliance this preseason, mostly containing the likes of Steve McNair and Donovan McNabb. Green Bay has legitimate concerns about about depth on the defense though, not to mention the backs behind Green and fullback William Henderson. Still, if you are more worried about back-ups than starters, you have the makings of a good season.
Last year's surprise team was the Chicago Bears, but both the Packers and Eagles exposed them for the frauds they are. Look for Brian Urlacher to lead the linebackers to greatness again this year, especially against the rush. On offense, I expect Chris Chandler to play because Jim Miller will get injured. Then again, Chris Chandler gets injured often too. I don't know if Chicago is worried about it, mostly because they can always find somebody else to hand the ball off to running back Anthony Thomas.
Minnesota has some of the opposite problems: they have a good, strong quarterback, but a lackluster running game. Sadly, spoiled brat Randy Moss learned everything he knows about sportsmanship from crybaby Chris Carter. But Moss exceeds his mentor when it comes to boneheaded taunting and mouthing off. The scary thing is that Carter was probably something of a calming influence on Moss, who will probably cost his team games as well as penalty yards. I don't think Minnesota did enough to shore up a perennially lousy defense. They may have more luck stopping the run, but any team with a decent quarterback should be able to light up the pass defense once again.
The Lions, like the Panthers, will do better than last year. It will take time there as well. Two young quarterbacks will fight all season for the starting job. Detroit gave them great targets in Az Hakim and Bill Schroeder. Leadership on defense will come from the line, which seems to have strong pass rushing and run-stuffing potential.
Predicted order: Green Bay, Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit.