Green Bay started last season 8-1 and seemed on course to clinch its division earlier than any team in modern NFL history. Then reality hit.

The only reason the Packers' record ended up 12-4 is that the rest of the division was terrible. Not much will change this year - except the Packers will be playing in a new, modern Lambeau Field. They're good, not great, but the rest of the division lingers far behind.

Minnesota figured to be the only team with the weapons to challenge. Then, the Vikings lost running back Michael Bennett for at least half the season because his surgically repaired foot wasn't healing correctly.

Chicago will be better than last season, when it fell from 13-3 and a division title to 4-12.

Detroit has to be better if only because it has a professional coach, Steve Mariucci, in place of Marty Mornhinweg.

1. PACKERS

Coach: Mike Sherman (34-17, fourth year)

2002 record: 12-4, first in division, lost to Atlanta in wild-card game.

Key newcomers: LB Hannibal Navies, rookie LB Nick Barnett, rookie DT Kenny Peterson.

Key losses: WR Terry Glenn (Dallas), DE Vonnie Holliday (Kansas City), CB Tyrone Williams (Atlanta).

Overview: QB Brett Favre is still the No. 1 guy in the league. The Packers have a chance to win any game he plays. WR Javon Walker will be looked upon to take some of the heat off No. 1 receiver Donald Driver. DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila needs to show he's an every-down player.

Super stat: Favre has started 173 consecutive games.

2. VIKINGS

Coach: Mike Tice (6-11, second full year)

2002 record: 6-10, second in division.

Key newcomers: LB Chris Claiborne, QB Gus Frerotte, CB Denard Walker, rookie DT Kevin Williams, rookie RB Onterrio Smith.

Key losses: QB Todd Bouman (New Orleans), K Doug Brien (NY Jets), CB Tyrone Carter (NY Jets).

Overview: WR Randy Moss is said to have turned over a new leaf, and his 106 receptions last season showed he's dangerous not as a deep threat, but in the short-passing game, too. DT Chris Hovan would be a big name on another team. This should again be one of the better offensive teams in the league with Moss and QB Daunte Culpepper. OT Bryant McKinnie can be an All-Pro. New defensive coordinator George O'Leary might actually have something good to put on his resume if he can turn this unit around.

Super stat: Culpepper threw 32 interceptions in 2002.

3. BEARS

Coach: Dick Jauron (28-37, fifth year)

2002 record: 4-12, third in division.

Key newcomers: QB Kordell Stewart, TE Desmond Clark, rookie QB Rex Grossman, rookie DE Michael Haynes.

Key losses: LB Rosevelt Colvin (New England), QB Jim Miller (Tampa Bay), WR Marcus Robinson (Baltimore).

Overview: Stewart should benefit from getting out of Pittsburgh, but this offense isn't exactly wide open. LB Brian Urlacher is like WWE wrestler Brock Lesnar - he delivers a lot of pain. WR Marty Booker made the Pro Bowl after catching 97 passes.

Super stat: RB Anthony Thomas rushed for only 721 yards after earning Rookie of the Year honors the previous season.

4. LIONS

Coach: Steve Mariucci (first year)

2002 record: 3-13, fourth in division.

Key newcomers: CB Dre' Bly, RB Shawn Bryson, RB Olandis Gary, WR Shawn Jefferson, rookie WR Charles Rogers, rookie LB Boss Bailey, Mariucci.

Key losses: WE Jacquez Green (Tampa Bay), CB Todd Lyght (retired).

Overview: Rogers is a game-breaker playing in front of his hometown fans. QB Joey Harrington can learn a lot from Mariucci, who helped tutor Brett Favre and Jeff Garcia. Bly was given big bucks as a free agent. Now he has to live up to it. But even with Bly, the Lions have an inadequate secondary.

Super stat: Detroit tied for second-worst in the league last season with just 10 intercepted passes.

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