1. Green Bay Packers
A subpar offensive line, but QB Aaron Rodgers gets results regardless.
2. Detroit Lions
With Reggie Bush the offense should have more balance with a solid defense.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson will rush for 2,000 yards again, but there will be no playoff appearance.
4. Chicago Bears
The defense will keep them in contention until the offense falters.
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
Key Position: Run Defense – They were trounced by the read option in the playoffs last year and they will need to adjust to that quickly as their first two opponents of the season run that type of offense.
Key Acquisitions: QB Seneca Wallace (Cleveland Browns)
Key Rookies: DE Datone Jones, RB Eddie Lacy, RB Jonathan Franklin
Head Coach: Jim Schwartz
Key Position: Running Back – This position should be fixed now that Reggie Bush is aboard. Not only can he run between the tackles, he can still be a reliable receiver for QB Matthew Stafford in the flat or on screens.
Key Acquisitions: CB Rashean Mathis (Jacksonville Jaguars), DE Jason Jones (Seattle Seahawks), DT C.J. Mosley (Jacksonville Jaguars), K David Akers (San Francisco 49ers), RB Reggie Bush (Miami Dolphins), S Glover Quin (Houston Texans)
Key Rookies: DE Ezekiel Ansah, CB Darius Slay
Head Coach: Leslie Frazier
Key Position: Quarterback – A lot is riding on Christian Ponder this season. His job for one and Leslie Frazier’s. He has the best running back behind him and with WR Greg Jennings aboard he has a number one receiver to throw to.
Key Acquisitions: LB Desmond Bishop (Green Bay Packers), QB Matt Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs), WR Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers)
Key Rookies: DT Sharrif Floyd, CB Xavier Rhodes, WR Cordarrelle Patterson
Head Coach: Marc Trestman
Key Position: Quarterback – This is the last call for Jay Cutler. A new head coach that uses a more conservative approach to passing via the West Coast offense. Will Cutler abandon his gun slinger days and make the adjustment?
Key Acquisitions: G Matt Slauson (New York Jets), LB James Anderson (Carolina Panthers), LB D.J. Williams (Denver Broncos), T Jermon Bushrod (New Orleans Saints), TE Martellus Bennett (New York Giants)
Key Rookies: G Kyle Long, LB Jon Bostic
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