The North

The AFC and NFC North divisions are full of teams with quarterbacks out to prove themselves. Kyle Boller is trying to replace Steve McNair and Aaron Rodgers is trying to replace the guy before him. We also have older quarterbacks trying to prove they still have it and they're not too old to be playing the game as Jon Kitna is getting phone calls from Rex Grossman. No, it's really not worth listening to that conversation. Let's break down these divisions.

AFC North: Kyle Boller has had snaps before for the Ravens and former Heisman winner Troy Smith is behind him. Neither quarterback is dynamic and they team doesn't have the greatest recieving squad. Big Ben is still out to prove he's an elite quarterback and will do everything it takes to lead the steel city to the big dance. In order for this to happen, he must beat out Carson Palmer and the Bengals. Oh yeah, remember the name Derek Anderson? He had a great year for the Browns and will be out to prove it wasn't just a fluke year. It's a toss up, but if it comes to numbers, Carson Palmer is the best quarterback in this division.

When it comes to running backs in this division, they're all plagued by the same thing: injuries. Jamal Lewis has battled them his whole career. The former Raven will continue to do so as he's in the second year with the Browns. The Bengals are always hurt or in prison. Rudi Johnson isn't consistent enough to be the best in the division. This leaves Willie Parker and Willis McGahee. McGahee once refered to himself as the best running back in the NFL. Yeah, that's ridiculous. He's not even the best in this division. Willie Parker at least seems to be less fragile and more consistent.

The best receiving battle is between Hines Ward's Steelers and Chad Johnson, (no, I'm not referring to him by saying his number in Spanish) TJ Houshmandzadeh and the Bengals. The Steelers also have a solid tight end in Heath Miller. Joe Jurevicius being injured hurts a Browns receiving squad that has a lot to prove. IF (yes, big IF) Chad can keep from whining, he can help turn this Bengals team around and start winning. The Steelers have a good receiving squad but the Bengals have a little more potential. That's why they take this category.

The best defense has to go to the Steel curtain, even if that's no longer their name. The Ravens have guys like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis but they're getting up there in age. The Steelers are getting more experience and still have plenty of years left. Best coach goes to Romeo Crennell wins the Coach of the Year for the division for turning this team into what it is today, but the Steelers some how sneak away with the division as the Bengals find themselves distracted in the locker room and off the field issues. The order of the division will be:
1. Steelers
2. Browns
3. Bengals
4. Ravens

NFC North: Tarvaris Jackson is still a year or so away as is Aaron Rodgers. Rex Grossman was never there but neither was Kitna. Wow, that makes it hard to choose. If there were still 6 divisions, there would be another quarterback to choose from, but there's not. That being said, oh shoot, I have to say Kitna. Don't say that too loud though.

The running back isn't even open for discussion. When you run for a record of 296 yards in one game, you've earned it. Oh, did I mention he's a rookie? Did I mention he's from East Texas? Adrian Peterson it is.

Let's just hope for the Lions' sake they have a good squad after drafting 10 straight receivers in the first round of the drafts. They must never have gotten the memo saying they can take other positions until this year. Lions win this category, but not because it's dynamic. It's because the rest isn't.

Do these teams know they have to play both sides of the ball? This is an easy category though. Lovie Smith's genius defensive mind has built this squad and managed to keep Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher. That's two categories the Bears win: defense and coach, but not division.

However, the Bears aren't going to win this division. Adrian Peterson and the Vikings will. They're still a young and developing team. Don't get your hopes up too much though Minnesota. Just because someone from Sports Illustrated predicted them to win it all doesn't mean it's going to happen. In fact, quite the contrary. Just remember the SI curse before the Super Bowl. The division will finish in this order:
1. Vikings
2. Packers
3. Lions
4. Bears