Sports Center ranks NFC North

ESPN analyst and former player Mark Schlereth ranked the NFC North offenses and defenses during a segment on Sports Center airing on Wednesday.

According to Schlereth, the division's defenses rank from top to bottom as follows as follows ...

1. Chicago Bears
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Detroit Lions

The NFC North is definitely a tough defensive division. No one will argue that Chicago currently has the best defense. The Minnesota Vikings do as good a job as any team at stopping the run, but they have some holes in pass defense. And the Packers, of course, are an up-and-coming defense with exciting young players like A.J. Hawk developing.

From top to bottom, the offenses rank as follows ...

1. Chicago Bears
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Detroit Lions
4. Minnesota Vikings

Schlereth commented that the Chicago Bears were no. 1 "by default." And it's hard to argue. The Bears aren't flashy, but there offense was the most effective in 2006. Perhaps the Packers can be better in 2007 with a more experienced offensive line. And look out for the Lions with new weapon Calvin Johnson.