NFC North

Big game this weekend for the Vikes in Chicago. If they can manage to pull out a W they will have sole possession of first place in the division, after the Colts beat the Pack. It would also set them up well if a potential tiebreaker comes up against the Bears, besides the obvious head-to-head win since the Vikes beat the Panthers while the Bears lost to them, as well as already losing to the Falcons (who the Vikes play at home on Dec. 21).

While I'm talking about the Bears, it's always funny how the so-called experts can be so wrong and how pointless preseason predictions are. Everybody picked the Bears to finish third or fourth in the division and, so far at least, they have been by far the best team, a couple of bounces away from 5-1. Orton can actually complete a forward pass, something the Bears have only done with limited success in their history, and Matt Forte looks like the real deal. It should be a good one, hopefully the Vikes can take advantage of the Bears injured secondary.

The only team I have yet to mention in the division is the lovable loser Lions. I'm actually kind of scared that their new GM Martin Mayhew may have a clue. Trading Roy Williams, who didn't want to be there and who couldn't catch, for a 1st, 3rd, and 6th round pick was a solid move. I've always said that if the Lions get someone who knows what he's doing they could be decent at some point. Big 'if' though.