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4. Detroit Lions (7-9): I think 2011 will be the best season the Lions have had in a while, but they are still in one of the most difficult divisions in the NFL. Detroit also has one of the toughest schedules in the league, their opponents have a 133-123 record from last season, so getting a wild card berth will be difficult. Matthew Stafford has looked very impressive this preseason, throwing five touchdowns and no interceptions, and it will continue if he can just stay healthy for all 16 games. Having one of the best WR's in the game, Calvin Johnson, sure doesn't hurt Stafford's chances to have a Pro Bowl season. As for the other side of the ball, the Lions will have one of the most entertaining defenses in the NFL with rookie of the year Ndamukong Suh, rookie Nick Fairely, and don't forget about Kyle Vaden Bosh. The Lions have one of the best young teams in the league and football is back in Detroit. 

3. Chicago Bears (8-8): The Bears were a complete opposite of the rival Packers last season, they were able to stay healthy on both sides of the ball, but could not beat Green Bay when it mattered most. This is a year that Jay Cutler must prove himself, not to his teammates, but to the league. Even though Chicago missed out on Sidney Rice and Santonio Holmes, they still got a physical receiver in Roy Williams. Cutler is a gunslinger QB, so knowing that you can throw up the ball and just have your WR go get it is a good feeling. As long as Brian Urlacher is patrolling the middle for the Bears, they will be one of the best defenses in the league. Chicago was probably the team that was hurt most by the NFL moving the kickoffs to the 35, so Devin Hester could be taken out of the equation for the Bears this season. That would be nice for anyone who plays Chicago in 2011. 

2. Minnesota Vikings (9-7): The Brett Favre era in Minnesota is over. Cue the Donovan McNabb era. The Vikings traded for the veteran QB after the lockout ended, which was a smart move since they drafted Christain Ponder. Adrian Peterson is probably the happiest about the move because now he won't be facing as many eight man fronts if Ponder was at QB. The defense needs to rebound, particularly Jared Allen, who had a down season from his 2009 Pro Bowl year. The Vikings also have one of the least recognized secondaries in the NFL, so this is a big year for every single player on the Vikings. Especially McNabb who needs to prove he still got it. 

1. Green Bay Packers (13-3): The Packers coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for the Packers Super Bowl victory because they were able to keep the team mentally focused even though they had the most players on IR then any other team. QB Aaron Rodgers also deserves some credit (sarcasm) for the Packers bringing the title home. He had his best year as a pro throwing for 3,922 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. I think Rodgers will be even better in 2011 now that he is getting back TE Jermichael Finley and RB Ryan Grant. The defense has one of the scariest linebacker cores in the NFL with A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews. With veteran leadership in the secondary, this defense is the best in the league. Overall, the Packers are the best team in the NFC.