NFL PREVIEW NFC North

A look at teams in the NFC North, in order of last season’s standings:

GREEN BAY PACKERS (14-4)

Open camp: Monday, Green Bay, Wis.

Last year: Went 13-3 in regular season, then dominated Seattle in snowy divisional playoff game before being upset by Giants in overtime of NFC Championship game. Brett Favre experienced career resurgence and put up near-MVP numbers, but he was hardly a one-man show. Wide receivers ran wild after the catch all year and Ryan Grant proved to be potential feature running back after injuries gave him chance to play in second half of season. And don’t forget defense, an often-overlooked but critical part of team’s success.

Important additions: LB Brandon Chillar will challenge Brady Poppinga on strong side; both could be on field in passing situations as defense is expected to be more aggressive with its blitzes. WR Jordy Nelson (second-round draft pick) could challenge for No. 3 receiver spot and add much-needed size (6-3) in red zone.

Important losses: DT Corey Williams; WR Koren Robinson.

Camp needs: Sanity, peace and prosperity. Favre decided to retire in early March, then privately told team he was going to unretire in late March, only to reverse course again and stay retired. Fast forward to last month, when Favre told team he was thinking about playing again — then recently demanded release from his contract after lukewarm welcome back. Situation remained unresolved with training camp looming, making Green Bay a smoldering cauldron of potential controversy and severely undercutting Favre’s replacement, Aaron Rodgers.

Expectations: High drama that could be costly distraction for team otherwise capable of another playoff run with either quarterback. If Rodgers ends up as starter, stays healthy and allows enormity of outside expectations and Favre comparisons to roll off his back, going 10-6 and making playoffs seems realistic. If Favre ends up as starter, he could lead Packers to Super Bowl — or change his mind yet again and retire three weeks into season.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8-8)

Opened camp: Friday, Mankato, Minn.

Last year: Went 6-1 over November and first half of December, until losses in last two games kept them out of playoffs for sixth time in seven seasons. Done in again by shaky quarterback play and soft pass defense.

Important additions: DE Jared Allen; WR Bernard Berrian; S Madieu Williams.

Important losses: S Dwight Smith; RB Mewelde Moore; WR Troy Williamson.

Camp needs: Establishing reliable targets for QB Tarvaris Jackson, among WRs Berrian, Bobby Wade and Sidney Rice and TE Visanthe Shiancoe. Keeping RB Adrian Peterson healthy, and figuring out how to use him and fellow RB Chester Taylor simultaneously and effectively. Shoring up pass defense around Allen’s rush and Williams’ coverage.

Expectations: With Offensive Rookie of the Year Peterson and All-Pro Allen, Vikings have plenty of star power — and potential. Around NFL, and within their fan base, skepticism about Jackson’s ability to do a steady job abounds. But coach Brad Childress is committed to him, and team believes he’s made significant strides since forgettable first half of his first full season as starter. If Jackson minimizes turnovers and keeps defenses from stacking the box against Peterson, Vikes should be legitimate contender in wide-open NFC.

DETROIT LIONS (7-9)

Opened camp: Thursday, Allen Park, Mich.

Last year: Won seven games, a high for team president Matt Millen, but only one after 6-2 start to rank among NFL’s worst second-half flops in three decades.

Important additions: CBs Leigh Bodden and Brian Kelly; T Gosder Cherilus (first-round pick); S Dwight Smith; DT Chuck Darby; LB Jordon Dizon (second-rounder); DE Corey Smith; TE Michael Gaines; RB Kevin Smith (third-rounder).

Important losses: DT Shaun Rogers; LB Boss Bailey; CB Fernando Bryant; RBs Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett; S Kenoy Kennedy; RT Damien Woody; DE Kalimba Edwards.

Camp needs: Finding out if Cherilus can start at RT and if Smith can be in RB rotation as rookies; developing a pass-rusher and run-stopper on defensive line.

Expectations: Low. Just when Lions generated excitement for first time in Millen’s seventh season in charge, they crushed it with six straight losses and seven of eight. But parity leads to a surprise team breaking out and maybe one of these years, it will finally be Lions.

CHICAGO BEARS (7-9)

Opened camp: Wednesday, Bourbonnais, Ill.

Last year: Struggled in disappointing follow-up to their Super Bowl season. Once again played musical chairs with quarterbacks, using Rex Grossman, Brian Griese and Kyle Orton. Had trouble running behind aging offensive line and with ineffective Cedric Benson, who has since been released after two alcohol-related arrests in offseason. Defense couldn’t stop the run consistently, a Love Smith staple of past.

Important additions: OT Chris Williams (first-round pick); WRs Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd; RB Matt Forte (second-round pick expected to be starter after departure of the troubled Benson; RB Kevin Jones.

Important losses: WR Bernard Berrian; RB Benson; G Ruben Brown

Camp needs: Sort out quarterback competition between Grossman and Orton; find out if Forte is indeed a starter; straighten out contract extensions for Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester

Expectations: Finish over .500 and be contender in improved NFC North.

Associated Press

XComing Monday: NFC South