Could the Packers vie for the NFC North Division this year?

Yes!

I know what you're thinking, you're thinking I sold my last sane though to the kid down the street. But hear me out. Last year the Bears won by default. Had the Packers won all of their close games, the outcome for the division title would have been extremely different. I'm serious. Minnesota shot themselves in the foot and the Lions, well the Lions still have Matt Millen running the show in Detroit. Enough said. So this is what could've happened if the Packers had won those close games instead of losing them.

If the Packers had won just the games they only lost by seven points or less, their record would have been a stellar, and impressive, 12-4. Green Bay was only blown out in one contest last year and that was against Baltimore (48 to 3). They lost to Detroit by 14, Pittsburgh by 10 and Chicago by twelve. The rest were by seven or less. Okay, maybe winning all of the close ones is a little wishful thinking but it's still possible. And let's not forget that Chicago won the division with an 11-5 record. Kind of makes you wonder though, don't it?

But getting back to the close losses, in most of those close games the defense let the opposing team score late and the Packers never had a shot at a comeback. And I make that point only because this year, with all the improvements on defense, the Packers' defense should be a force in the league. I don't see the mental let down reoccurring again this year. Last year, if the Defense had done their part for the entire game, considering they were ranked in the top 10 all year, there's a good chance the Packers win those close games.

And something else you should consider, the Packers stayed close in those games in spite off all the injuries they had. This year, along with what should be a great defense, the Packers get all those players back. And then, heaven forbid, we don't have that many injuries happen again this year and bingo! the Packers are right back on top.

And remember, too, that beside the Bears, who will always be the Bears and I'll get to that in a minute, the ViQueens and Lions are starting fresh with not only an entire new coaching staff this year, but new faces on the team at most of their skilled positions. Meanwhile, the Packers have Favre back along with Green, Davenport, Ferguson, Driver, Franks and the rookie sensation Samkon Gado. That's a pretty impressive lineup.

Now getting back to the Bears, Chicago didn't do much in either the college draft or free agency to help themselves at all. Yes they signed Brian Griese to back up Rex Grossman but that's not much of an improvement no matter who is their QB. They didn't bring in anyone to counter Muhsin Muhammad at wide receiver and with an offense that was ranked 29th in total offense, their front line is still a little suspect. By the way, their offense ranked 29th compared to Green Bay's ranking of 18th. So you understand when I say that the Bears will be the Bears, nobody knows what Lovie Smith will come up with until the end of the season. But if it came down to Chicago and Green Bay fighting for the title, would that be a bad thing? I think not.

So you can see how close the possibility is that the Packers could be in contention for the division title in spite of the disaster they had last year. It certainly not a stretch when you analyze it carefully. It's almost a certainty that the defense will be improved, and if the injury bug stays away and those who were bitten last year return and perform as they had in the past, the offense will be right back at the top again. So while you still may think I'm crazy, you have to agree this all makes for a very interesting scenario to say the least, and should have Packer fans on the edge of their seats.

So until next time, Keep Driving Forward.