NFC North betting preview

For the second straight year, the burning pre-season NFL question comes from the NFC North. Sports media outlets nationwide are leaning with bended ear in the direction of Hattiesburg, Miss., waiting for quarterback Brett Favre’s answer to the $13 million question - Will he return to the Minnesota Vikings this season?

The $13 million, according to reports, is what Favre will earn if he plays this season and it’s likely he won’t pass that up. The Favre-led Vikings will be the team to beat again in the NFC North with the potential to get back to the NFC championship game.

Green Bay, also loaded with talent, will be on the heels of Minnesota all season and has realistic aspirations to get to the Super Bowl. The Packers could be one key Viking injury away from replacing Minnesota as division champions.

Despite offseason improvements by the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, both teams are likely at least a season away from making a push for the playoffs.

Minnesota Vikings

Projected win total: 9.5
Prediction: Over

What’s new: The Vikings improved its defense by drafting cornerback Chris Cook (Virginia) and adding cornerback Lito Sheppard (Jets) along with DE Everson Griffen (USC). Backup running back Chester Taylor has gone to the Bears but the addition of Ryan Moats from the Houston Texans should provide adequate help for Adrian Peterson. Offensive lineman Artis Hocks (Redskins) will be missed.

What’s the same: The Vikings excelled on both sides of the ball last season and should do so again. Favre was impressive last season, throwing for 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. A big reason for his success was the receiving depth led by receivers Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe.

Peterson, who is rumored to be unhappy with his contract, is one of the league’s top three backs. Linemen Jared Allen, Pat Williams, Ray Edwards, Kevin Williams and Antoine Winfield lead the defense. Linebacker E.J. Henderson continues to rehab from a broken leg and cornerback Cedric Griffin is recovering from a knee injury. Jasper Brinkley is Henderson’s backup and Sheppard could start for Griffin.

Key stat to remember: There has never been a quarterback older than 37 start in a Super Bowl. Brett Favre turns 41 in October.

Green Bay Packers

Projected win total: 9.5
Prediction: Over

What’s new: The Packers made a move to improve their dreadful offensive line (50 sacks allowed last season), by drafting tackle Bryan Bulaga (Iowa). The defense was also improved with the additions of defensive end Mike Neal (Purdue) and safety Morgan Burnett (Georgia Tech).

Burnett was a standout in the ACC and had 14 interceptions at Georgia Tech. He should make an immediate impact in the secondary. Depth was a problem at running back last season and James Starks (Buffalo) should help improve that area.

One loss is veteran defensive end Johnny Jolly who is suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the NFL policy on substances abuse. He is eligible for reinstatement after Super Bowl XLV. B.J. Raji will likely fill in with potential contributions from Justin Harrell or Neal, although Harrell has been plagued with injuries.

What’s the same: The Packers will be solid as long as quarterback Aaron Rodgers stays healthy. Backup QB Matt Flynn isn’t going to lead the Packers to the Super Bowl this season if Rodgers is sidelined. The offensive line should be improved with a bit more depth than last season led by veteran tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, guards Daryn Colledge and Josh Sitton, center Scott Wells and center/guard Jason Spitz.

Bulaga, T.J. Lang and Allen Barbre are the likely top reserves. Receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver certainly provide a tough 1-2 punch in the secondary as both had over 1,000 yards receiving last season. But watch for tight end Jermichael Finley to have even a bigger impact than he did in 2009 when he caught 55 passes for 676 yards and five TDs.

The defense is solid led by linebacker Clay Matthews who led the team with 10 sacks as a rookie last season. The defensive secondary has veteran cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris (coming off knee surgery) and safeties Nick Collins (six interceptions last season) and Atari Bigby.

Key stat to remember: No team was a better bet in the second half of last year. The Packers went 7-0-1 against the spread in their final eight regular season games.

Chicago Bears

Projected win total: 8
Prediction: Under

What’s new: Mike Martz was hired as the new offensive coordinator to jumpstart that side of the ball and get quarterback Jay Cutler to revert to his Denver form. The problem with improving/opening up the passing game is the eight or nine players who will likely be thrown to by Cutler aren’t anything close to the caliber of a Brandon Marshall.

The biggest on-field acquisition was signing former Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers. Also helping the defense will be safeties Chris Harris (Panthers) and Major Wright (Florida) and cornerback Tim Jennings (Colts).

Third-round draft pick Wright is versatile and quick and should make an immediate impact. Tight end Brandon Manumaleuna (Chargers) will be a solid backup to Greg Olsen. Among the key losses are defensive ends Alex Brown (Saints) and Adewale Ogunleye (free agent) and linebacker Jamar Williams (Panthers). Rod Marinelli was promoted to defensive coordinator.

What’s the same: The return of defensive catalyst Brian Urlacher provides a huge upgrade on that side of the ball. He missed most of last season with a wrist injury and the Bears “D” was not the same. Zack Bowman and Charles Tillman return at cornerback.

Receiving options for Cutler include wideouts Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Rashied Davis, Juaquin Iglesias and Earl Bennett, backs Matt Forte and Chester Taylor and tight end Greg Olsen. The question is how long will it take for Cutler and his receiving options to all get on the same page with Martz’s quick-paced passing schemes.

Key stat to remember: The Bears went 6-3 ATS in games where Cutler threw one or less interceptions.

Detroit Lions

Projected win total: 5
Prediction: Under

What’s new: The Lions were busy in the offseason upgrading both sides of the ball but are still likely a season away from being at least a .500 club. The best upgrades were on defensive with the drafting of tackle Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska and the acquisition of defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (Titans).

Other improvements include defensive tackle Corey Williams (Browns) and cornerbacks Chris Houston (Falcons) and Dre’ Bly, who returns to Detroit after playing for the 49ers last season.

Key additions to the offense are running back Jahvid Best (California), tight end Tony Scheffler (Broncos), guard Rob Sims, receiver Nate Burleson(Seahawks) and quarterback Shaun Hill (49ers). Drafting tackle Jason Fox (Miami) upgrades the offensive line. The speedy Best will make an immediate impact with his added ability to catch the ball.

What’s the same: Talented quarterback Matthew Stafford had the usual rookie growing pains in 2009 with 20 interceptions in 10 games of action.Running back Kevin Smith and tight end Brandon Pettigrew are coming off knee surgeries. Pettigrew and Scheffler give the Lions two quality tight ends. Smith still isn’t 100 percent but that will give Best an opportunity to showcase his breakaway speed early and often. Even if Smith is healthy, he’ll still be challenged for the No. 1 spot by Best.

Calvin Johnson is a solid receiver who was covered like a blanket by defenses in 2009. Burleson should take some of that pressure off.

Key stat to remember: The Lions allowed a league-high 494 points and finished with the worst turnover margin (-18) last season.