ESPN The Magazine: NFC North preview

These division previews appear in the Sept. 7 issue of ESPN The Magazine.

Check out each division previewed here:

NFC

EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST

AFC

EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST

Projected order of finish

Even with Jay Cutler's arrival, the offense is average at best. But that's enough to make the Bears Super Bowl contenders, as long as the special teams stays excellent and the 22nd-ranked pass rush improves (new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli should help there).

No matter who starts at QB, the Vikings are contenders, thanks to a stout offensive line and a guy nicknamed "All Day." The defense can dominate (24.3 yards allowed per drive in 2008, ranked No. 4 in the NFL) but winning the NFC North hinges on when or if the four-game suspensions of the Williams Wall (Pat and Kevin) go into effect.

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