The NFC North figures to be a three-horse race in 2012. The Green Bay Packers will be the favorite, as they were 15-1 last season. The Chicago Bears have made some good moves this offseason and figure to be a major player in the NFC. And then there’s the Detroit Lions who’s young nucleus gets older and better next season.
The Lions made a breakthrough last year, finally have a winning campaign and reaching the postseason after many years of futility. Looking at their schedule, here’s the chance for them to vault from sixth seed wild card to division champ this year.
Most of the Lions headlines this offseason have revolved around marijuana busts, as three players, including the second year former Illini running back Mikel Leshoure, have been busted for possessing the good weed. The Lions would rather make news in free agency, but that didn’t happen. Maybe they will win draft night?
Looking at their schedule, they’ll have every opportunity to make their statements and establish dominance in the division. They have a nice warm-up in week one versus the St. Louis Rams, one of the league’s biggest weaklings. The key will be how they do versus the Pack. The Lions secondary couldn’t stop Aaron Rodgers or Matt Flynn last year, giving up 72 points and 899 yards of offense in the two meetings, both losses. Had Green Bay not pumped the brakes on Thanksgiving, it could’ve been worse.
For the Lions full schedule go here
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too