John Clayton projections for NFCN

**Riczaj01** · 06-23-2012, 02:19 PM

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/po...h-more-or-less

NFC North: More or Less

June, 20, 2012 Jun 20
12:00
PM ET

By Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com

10-6

CHICAGO BEARS: Given that they were 7-3 last season before quarterback Jay Cutler was injured, I would think 10-6 and a wild-card bid would be the low end of the Bears' expectations this season.

The Bears have surrounded Cutler with the best offense he has had since arriving in Chicago, and it could be among the league's most explosive if the offensive line can settle in. The Bears' defense is going to get old at some point, but it appears to have at least one more season of high-level play in it.

The real question is whether the Bears can challenge for the division title, which they claimed just two years ago. I think they can.

More or less? I could see the Bears with 11-plus victories in 2012.

CLAYTON'S FORECAST

9-7

DETROIT LIONS: There is every reason to believe the Lions are on their way to a second consecutive winning season and once again challenge for a playoff spot. Clayton suggests they will fall short of that latter goal, and that isn't a totally unreasonable thought.

Remember, the Lions trailed the Bears in the playoff race last season before Cutler was injured. They will return the same team, presumably one that can build off last season's performance, but the division is more competitive now than it was when the Lions clinched last year's playoff spot.

More or less? Give or take a game, this is a reasonable prediction.

CLAYTON'S FORECAST

12-4

GREEN BAY PACKERS: History suggests the Packers won't match their 2011 record, but 12-4 would give them the NFC North championship in this scenario and put them on pace for another playoff run. As long as the Packers have a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, there is every reason to think they will be an annual Super Bowl contender.

Some of the Packers' 2012 success depends on how their attempts to shore up the defense work out. You can cover for a leaky pass defense in the regular season, but it can spell an early end to a playoff run.

More or less? A 12-4 record sounds about right to me.

CLAYTON'S FORECAST

3-13

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: The Vikings have made some improvements to quarterback Christian Ponder's periphery and, at the moment at least, have a healthier and more skilled defensive backfield.

But the Vikings are competing in one of the NFL's toughest divisions, against three legitimate playoff contenders. There remain some serious personnel holes -- especially at middle linebacker, safety and nose tackle -- and it will take some time for some of the young players they are counting on to develop.

This is a better team than last year's 3-13 team, but even doubling that win total will leave them at 6-10.

More or less? I think they'll win more than three games.

I know most people don't like Clayton, but I think he pretty much nails it. 10-6 barring injuries and the OL playing decent, and could easily win 11; and we beat out Det.

**Papa Bear** · 06-23-2012, 03:38 PM

I think this is a very fair assessment of all four teams.

**Riczaj01** · 06-23-2012, 04:52 PM

It was a really good breakdown. Clayton takes a lot of heat for being a pencil pushing stat geek, but he really does watching of football, talking to a lot of players, coaches, owners and really does know his stuff about as well as any other 4 letter network talking head.

B/R actually had a guy write up why we would win the Div, but w/the heat Soul took for posting an article from there I was scurred.

I think a lot of people are going to see that the sports news agencies and such are going to be very positive about us instead of the "hate" many thing the Bears normally get. It's never been hate, it's been a lack of a complete team and this is the closest we've been for awhile to having one.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-23-2012, 05:26 PM

I loved this part:

More or less? I could see the Bears with 11-plus victories in 2012.

CLAYTON'S FORECAST

**bearsinhouston** · 06-23-2012, 06:31 PM

I don't think anyone should have a problem posting aricles from B/R. That doesn't mean you are advocating what they say. That just means you find an article interesting enough to share. That could mean interesting in that it supports your thought process, or interesting that the author was able to put enough brain cells together to be able to hit the sens key and publish it.

I don;t see an issue -- as long as people don't shoot the messenger.

**thomas2317** · 06-23-2012, 07:57 PM

I think it's a toss up between the top 3. All have our strength's and weaknesses. Gonna be fun too watch...

**BigBadPapaBear** · 06-23-2012, 08:02 PM

I really believe we have a 13-14 season coming. Yea some don't believe that's possible but we are better than those clowns in our division. We're going to make some serious noise this year, with or without Forte.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-23-2012, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by bearsinhouston

I don't think anyone should have a problem posting aricles from B/R. That doesn't mean you are advocating what they say. That just means you find an article interesting enough to share. That could mean interesting in that it supports your thought process, or interesting that the author was able to put enough brain cells together to be able to hit the sens key and publish it.

I don;t see an issue -- as long as people don't shoot the messenger.

I totally agree. Personally, I usually hate BR stuff, but I like that people post stuff we can all talk about - even if it is BR.

**jackiejokeman** · 06-23-2012, 10:29 PM

No game has ever been played in 2012.

**Riczaj01** · 06-24-2012, 08:09 PM

This is the insight this place needs more of Jackie :p.

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