So here we are, halfway through the year. Sitting at 7-0, in the middle of a bye week, and riding high are the Packers coming into this next week. But before I take a look at next week's game, I'd like to quickly summarize and predict the NFC North's remaining schedule. Jump!

Chicago Bears: Remaining Games

Sun.         11            FALCONS                 W 30-12 

Sun.         18            @ Saints                 L 13-30   

Sun.         25            PACKERS                 L 17-27                  

OCTOBER

Sun.         2              PANTHERS              W 34-29 

Mon.        10            @ Lions                   L 13-24                  

Sun.         16            VIKINGS                  W 39-10                

Sun.         23            @ Buccaneers         W 24-18                

NOVEMBER

Mon.        7              @ Eagles

Sun.         13            LIONS                     

Sun.         20            CHARGERS             

Sun.         27            @ Raiders                              

DECEMBER

Sun.         4              CHIEFS   

Sun.         11            @ Broncos             

Sun.         18            SEAHAWKS            

Sun.         25            @ Packers              

JANUARY

Sun.         1              @ Vikings

The Bears have a tough schedule going into the second half of the year. They're record is all based on how Jay Cutler plays. If he plays good, they should have a better chance at winning games. If he doesn't, its the same song for the Bears, and they'll have to rely on their D and special teams to get it done.

Predicted finish: @Eagles (Loss), Lions (Win), Chargers (Loss) [side note: Jay Cutler/Phillip Rivers handshake should be a ton of fun to watch], @Raiders (Win), Chiefs(Win), @Broncos(Win), Seahawks(Win), @Packers(Loss), @Vikings(Loss). Finish: 5-4, 9-7 and miss playoffs

  Minnesota Vikings Schedule

1              Sep 11    MIN 17 @ SD 24    

2              Sep 18    TB 24 @ MIN 20    

3              Sep 25    DET 26 @ MIN 23  

4              Oct 02    MIN 17 @ KC 22    

5              Oct 09    ARI 10 @ MIN 34   

6              Oct 16    MIN 10 @ CHI 39   

7              Oct 23    GB 33 @ MIN 27   

8              Oct 30    MIN 24 @ CAR 21  

9              Bye         

10            Nov 14    MIN @ GB             

11            Nov 20    OAK @ MIN           

12            Nov 27    MIN @ ATL                            

13            Dec 04    DEN @ MIN           

14            Dec 11    MIN @ DET            

15            Dec 18    NO @ MIN             

16            Dec 24    MIN @ WAS          

17            Jan 01     CHI @ MIN

Well, Christian Ponder looks alright. At least, certainly better than 'game manager.' One play that really stuck out to me from the Pack-Vik game was the third and thirteen in the fourth quarter. Ponder bobbled the snap, scrambled right, and chucked one right between the numbers to his receiver. Great play, and he should put them in a good position to win games the rest of the season. Minnesota also has the NFL sack leader, and NFL rushing leader, so that only helps Ponder as well. 

Predicted Finish: @Green Bay(Loss), Oakland (Win), @Atlanta (Win), Denver (Win), @Detroit(Win), New Orleans (Loss), @Washington(Loss), Chicago(Win). Finish: 5-4, 8-8 and miss the playoffs. 

1              Sep 11    DET 27 @ TB 20     

2              Sep 18    KC 3 @ DET 48       

3              Sep 25    DET 26 @ MIN 23  

4              Oct 02    DET 34 @ DAL 30   

5              Oct 10    CHI 13 @ DET 24   

6              Oct 16    SF 25 @ DET 19     

7              Oct 23    ATL 23 @ DET 16   

8              Oct 30    DET 45 @ DEN 10  

9              Bye         

10            Nov 13    DET @ CHI             

11            Nov 20    CAR @ DET            

12            Nov 24    GB @ DET              

13            Dec 04    DET @ NO              

14            Dec 11    MIN @ DET            

15            Dec 18    DET @ OAK            

16            Dec 24    SD @ DET               

17            Jan 01     DET @ GB             

 So the Lions are feeling great about themselves. 6-2, going into a bye, smashing the Tebows, what could go wrong? Gentleman, let me point you to the 2009 Broncos, a staff headed by Josh McDaniels. A cocky, arrogant team that started out extremely hot (6-0), before getting smashed in the face by 'real' football teams after the bye. Really, the Lions look more and more like the second coming of the 2009 Broncos. Then again, the Lions have a pretty decent schedule after the bye, including the Thanksgiving showdown in Detroit which I am PUMPED for. But I digress: 

Predicted Finish: @Chicago (Loss), Carolina(Win), Green Bay(Loss), @New Orleans(Loss), Minnesota(Loss), @Oakland(Loss), San Diego(Win), @Green Bay(Loss). 2-6, 8-8 and miss playoffs. 

1              Sep 08    NO 34 @ GB 42     

2              Sep 18    GB 30 @ CAR 23    

3              Sep 25    GB 27 @ CHI 17     

4              Oct 02    DEN 23 @ GB 49   

5              Oct 09    GB 25 @ ATL 14    

6              Oct 16    STL 3 @ GB 24       

7              Oct 23    GB 33 @ MIN 27   

8              Bye         

9              Nov 06    GB @ SD

10            Nov 14    MIN @ GB             

11            Nov 20    TB @ GB

12            Nov 24    GB @ DET              

13            Dec 04    GB @ NYG             

14            Dec 11    OAK @ GB             

15            Dec 18    GB @ KC

16            Dec 25    CHI @ GB

17            Jan 01     DET @ GB               

Well, the Packers look good. I really think McCarthy and Capers will tinker with the defense and improve it over the bye. That, and the health of our players coming back can only mean better results for us. Am I the only one that feels like there's gonna be a huge injury soon? That's the only thing that can knock the Packers off the track, an injury to a core player like Rodgers, Matthews, or Woodson. 16-0 is a real possibility. A loss or two might be good for the team, however, just to keep them honest. I'll take 14-2 with a Super Bowl over 16-0 without a Super Bowl (LOL PATRIOTS)

Predicted Finish: @San Diego (Win), Minnesota (Win), Tampa Bay (Win), @Detroit (Win), @New York Giants (Loss), Oakland(Win), @ Kansas City(Win), Chicago(Win), Detroit(Win). 8-1, 15-1 1st NFC Seed w/homefield. 

Let me know what you think!