NFC North
Green Bay Packers – A-
Brett Favre who? Aaron Rodgers is proving himself a leader on the field for Green Bay and although he doesn’t have a single significant win in his career, he’s doing a fine job creating his own identity rather than be known as “that guy who backed up Brett Favre”. The Packers have looked shaky from time to time, but this is not a team you want to face when they’re firing on all cylinders. Clay Matthews Jr. has put himself on the very short list for defensive player of the year.
Chicago Bears – C-
Ask me in week three or even week five and I’d have given the Bears no worse than a B+. Jay Cutler doesn’t look like he’ll ever be ready to lead an NFL team and the Bears look like they’re slowing down and ready to give up on the season despite their 5-3 record. If Cutler isn’t able to become the leader, the Bears won’t be able to become a contender.
Minnesota Vikings – F
Not much to say about the Vikings. They stink and they’re lucky they’re not 0-8. Brett Favre has looked his age compared to the legendary performance we saw last season, Jared Allen has been non-existent (maybe because he disrespected the mullet in the offseason), the offensive line hasn’t been able to block anyone, the receivers stink and the only positive has been Adrian Peterson. Sidney Rice’s return can’t come soon enough for this sinking ship.
Detroit Lions – D
They’ve been in games late in five of their six losses, but the bottom line is they lost each and every one of those games. The return of Stafford hasn’t done anything to help the Lions and no one should expect to see anything different in the second half of the season. There’s a lot of talent and a lot of grit on this team, but we’re not about to give them credit for continually losing.