NFC Central Pre-Season Preview
The NFC Central has traditionally seen itself as the most rugged in Paydirt football. Three of the last four PAFL NFC representatives in the Super Bowl have come out of this division including last season's game in which the Vikings lost to Seattle. This year, the division still boasts some skilled squads but, overall, the division seems lacking a true power house team perhaps creating an opening for a team to surprise.
In predicted order of finish (very close division)
Minnesota Vikings: Still hard to pick against the defending NFC champions. Minnesota acquired the services of QB Philip Rivers from the Chargers last year and rode his arm and a great defense to the title game. RB Melvin Gordon looks like the top back and is a dangerous breakaway threat. The Vikes are deep at WR and have a ton of weapons here. One can expect the Purple Gang to spread teams out with 3 and 4 wide sets. The once vaunted offensive line is still good but no longer elite. The defensive front is solid although not truly dominant but ti can get pressure without the need of blitzing backers. The linebackers are good pass rushers but a bit light versus the run and the secondary,, while talented, has some health concerns that could prove problematic.
Green Bay Packers: To be truthful, it is hard to see how any of the next four teams in this division are all that much different in overall abilities but the Pack has a history of winning. Jameis Winston will be at QB again and Green Bay is hoping he can continue to evolve. Isaiah Crowell appears to be the top running back while the receiving group is a bit thin. The offensive line is not elite and the overall Packer attack seems primed to be mundane at best. On the other side of the ball, Green bay's front 4 is OK while the linebacking seems a real strength with Melvin Ingram and Paul Pozluszny the best of the group. The secondary is good at all 4 defensive slots with CB Robert Alford probably their best cover man. Overall, Green bay does not appear to be a championship level team but are always a troublesome franchise to play.
Chicago Bears: The Bears could easily slip into the second spot in this division. They have two signal callers in Brock Osweiler and Trevor Siemian with Siemian having the slight edge to start. The Bears will probably use backs Christine Michael and Chris Thompson in various down and distance packages but there is a big concern about the blocking back role leading some to believe that Chicago may go mostly multi-wide sets. To do that, Chicago could use some more help at the receiver positions and that does not seem there at the moment. Marqise Lee and Alshon Jeffery seem adequate but there is virtually no tight-end targets on this roster meaning the Bears may end up a bit handcuffed with their offensive formations. The offensive line has major holes as well. On defense, Chicago's defensive line is a bit toothless lacking any true run stopper or pass rusher. That would mean blitzing would have to come in order to gain pressure and that is not an area the Bear backers specialize in. The secondary is a strength but, upon closer look, the Bears may have too many holes to fill to truly threaten.
Detroit Lions: If Detroit had a better QB situation they could be tough but, alas poor Motown, they do not. Jay Cutler and rook Jared Goff are not prime time performers although the Lions certainly hope Goff becomes one. Ancient RB Frank Gore is back to take the bread again this season. WR Jordy Nelson is a major threat and TE Dennis Pitta ranks among the top tier at his position. C Jason Kelce and G Kelechi Osemele are solid along the offensive line but have little help. The entire defensive unit except at CB with Dom Rodgers-Cromartie is a bit weaker and vulnerable. There is not much in the way of a pass rush with the best edge pressure likely to come from DE Carlos Dunlap.
New :Orleans Saints: Every year the Saints seem to be picked low only to rise up and bite a few folks in the proverbial derriere. Andy Dalton ranks as, perhaps, the best QB in the division but he does not have many weapons around him. Chris Ivory rates as the best back while TE Jimmy Graham is probably the top receiving option. Add in an offensive line that is OK but not great and one can envision a long season in the Big Easy. The defensive front 7 is interesting. LB Erik Walden is a pass rushing demon but lacks the size to be a true every down backer. The secondary lacks any big time play-maker. This could be a rough year for the Saints but they are not in the rough and tumble scenario in this division that was typical of years past.