Are the Bears over the hill? Will the real Lions please step forward? Can the D rebound in Titletown? Is A.P. ready to return? Here's my NFC North preview.

The burning question in Minnesota this season is Adrian Peterson's injury. There's no doubt that A.P.'s health will directly determine what the Vikings are able to do this season. If he returns to form, the Vikings may be able to eek out 4 or 5 wins. If not, it's going to be an especially long season up North. Christian Ponder gets the nod as starting quarterback, and in addition to Percy Harvin, the team added Jerome Simpson from Cincinnati to team with Michael Jenkins as well. Not exactly the deadliest receiving corp in the league, but capable of making a few plays. There's still some playmakers on defense, but having to stop the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson and an upgraded Bears offense could be a task a little over the heads of this unit. The North is going to be a TOUGH division this season, and the Vikings aren't probably ready to threaten any of their division rivals right now.

15-1, and a first round exit? Really? How did that happen exactly? You can probably pin last year's early departure on the defense, and Dom Capers' squad is going to have to step it up this season or all the offensive acrobatics could be for nothing..again. The team only lost Nick Collins at safety, and they drafted D with picks 2, 3, and 4. Clay Matthews only got six sacks last year, and no defense in NFL history gave up as many passing yards as Green Bay did. Charles Woodson may be finally showing his age too. Aaron Rodgers should have another big year, however. And with the addition of Cedric Benson at runningback, the team may take some pressure off the passing game for the first time in a couple of seasons. Obviously, with back-up Matt Flynn gone to Seattle, Rodgers' health is a major concern. If he goes down, it's all over. Then again, if the defense doesn't play like they did in 2010, it may not matter how well Rodgers plays. If those two things happen, the Pack have to be a favorite for a Super Bowl return.

Adding Brandon Marshall at receiver was a nice move for Chicago. Jay Cutler has a legitimate deep threat, and a guy he's already used to throwing to from their days together in Denver. Matt Forte returns from major injury, but Michael Bush comes from Oakland to take some of the load off of him. The offensive line has been very offensive the last few years, allowing 105 sacks. That has to obviously improve. On defense, can the team milk one more big year from Brain Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman and Julius Peppers? If these aging vets can pull another big effort out of themselves, this team could be a serious threat come December. The team definitely benefits from a fairly mild December schedule. If Marshall plays like he's capable of, the Bears could add a new dimension to their offense, and that may make the difference. The Bears also did another smart thing...and that's providing Cutler with a competent back-up in Jason Campbell. The right moves were made in the offseason, and now the organization has to hope and pray the old guys can summon a huge effort for them one more time.

No one will deny that Calvin Johnson is probably the league's best receiver right now. Add to that the fact that Matt Stafford has overcome early career injuries, and you've got as big a downfield threat as there is in the league. My problem with the Lions: do you really think Kevin Smith or Jahvid Best are a decent enough rushing attack to take the pressure off the passing game? After Johnson, the only legit weapon on the Lions offense is maybe Brandon Pettigrew. Still, they can score points and move the ball. Should a running game suddenly emerge, look out. The Lions front four on defense has been as good as advertised. Big losses to Green Bay and New Orleans last January, where the secondary gave up 900 total yards in the losses, exposed the team's weak link: passing defense. The team didn't really do anything to address that in free agency or the draft, and facing Rodgers and Cutler twice a year with that secondary will prove to be the fatal flaw. They're still on the rise, but probably not ready for a division title yet.

FINAL PREDICTION:

1. Chicago

2. Green Bay

3. Detroit

4. Minnesota

TOMORROW: NFC WEST.