Vikings motivated by disappointing '03 season

The Minnesota Vikings started 6-0 last season and looked like Super Bowl contenders.

Then they were exposed as pretenders, failing to make the playoffs in the most painful way.

The bitter feeling of losing on the final play of the season -- to Arizona, no less -- with the division title on the line has not been forgotten by any of the Vikings. They handed Green Bay the NFC North title and have had eight months to think about it.

"Our guys are not pouting about losing to Arizona," says coach Mike Tice, the architect of Minnesota's turnaround last year. "Our guys are fired up about how good a football team we were when we lost to Arizona. I think they realize we have a chance to be pretty good if they stay focused on the task. And the task is to win the division."

To do so, the Vikings must beat out a solid Green Bay team and improved Detroit. Although the Lions probably aren't a threat to win the NFC North unless they figure out how to win on the road, they can be dangerous.

The Bears aren't likely to challenge for much of anything this season, Lovie Smith's first as head coach.

Minnesota has an upgraded defense on which cornerback Antoine Winfield, linebacker E. J. Henderson and rookie end Kenechi Udeze might have an impact. Already, DT Kevin Williams and DBs Corey Chavous, Brian Russell and Brian Williams have established themselves as playmakers. It's up to new coordinator Ted Cottrell to use them properly.

"He carries a reputation that we all respect," free safety Brian Russell said. "That drives people to play hard. We want to be the No. 1 one defense in the league."

The Vikings could have the top offense, led by star receiver Randy Moss, quarterback Daunte Culpepper, a huge line and a deep backfield. But Michael Bennett's sprained knee is worrisome and backup Onterrio Smith is facing a four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL substance-abuse policy.

While Moss has been getting preseason help at receiver from Marcus Robinson and Nate Burleson, he remains the prime target on nearly every pass play. The strong-armed Culpepper, also a powerful runner, has no problem chucking the ball Moss' away; no tandem is more dangerous.

"I think we could have one of the best offenses in the league," Culpepper says. "We've got some weapons."

Green Bay's offense -- primarily Brett Favre, Ahman Green and its line -- is just as formidable as Minnesota's. The Packers know they were fortunate to win the division in 2003 -- at one point, they trailed Minnesota by 3 1/2 games -- and they don't want to dig any such hole this season. They'd prefer not having to go to Minnesota for Game 15 needing a victory to clinch the sector.

While Favre is, well, Favre -- his record streak of consecutive starts is 208 and nobody expects it to end anytime soon -- Green is the most critical component of the offense. He comes off a spectacular year (1,883 yards rushing, 15 TDs; 50 receptions, five TDs) and, if he holds onto the ball, should be just as effective in '04.

Green would be helped by further development from receivers Javon Walker and Robert Ferguson. If Favre steadily finds them and veteran Donald Driver, Green becomes tougher to stop.

Whether Green Bay's defense regularly stops opponents could depend on the secondary that is in flux. The Packers also need to boost the pass rush and get more production from their linebackers.

Also, Favre will be 35 on Oct. 10. Although the competitive fire still rages, he is nearing the end.

Not that he has lost his appeal at all.

"People love to watch him play on Sunday," coach Mike Sherman says. "But to really appreciate Brett, you really have to watch him Monday through Saturday and watch what he does during the week and how he interacts with teammates and how he motivates and how he prepares."

The Lions own a record road losing streak of 24 games, but they open at Chicago, a good chance to establish their credentials as an improved squad. There's plenty of young talent, particularly on offense with QB Joey Harrington, WRs Charles Rogers and Roy Williams, and RB Kevin Jones. New guard Damien Woody, late of the champion Patriots, should help left tackle Jeff Backus solidify the line somewhat.

Both Rogers and Williams are deep threats, and if Harrington gets back to being as accurate as he was in college, the Lions' passing game should fly.

Covering people is a bigger challenge, because Detroit was awful in that area in 2003. The Lions do have CB Dre' Bly coming off his best season, but the pass rush is weak and needs a boost from former Texas Longhorns Cory Redding and Shaun Rogers.

Linebacker Boss Bailey's knee injury -- he'll miss much of the season -- is very damaging, because he has the most talent of any Detroit defender.

Brian Urlacher is the most talented on the Bears, but he missed training camp with a hamstring problem. Anything less than Urlacher at his best is something the Bears can't overcome.

Adding DE Adewale Ogunleye will boost the pass rush, and the secondary has two top-flight players in FS Mike Brown and CB Charles Tillman. New coach Smith will get as much as possible from the talent on hand.

Rex Grossman should grow in the offense with an improved line, thanks mostly to new tackle John Tait, who played his college ball at BYU. , but Chicago traded its best receiver, Marty Booker, to Miami for Ogunleye.

With a dozen new starters and a new coaching staff, there will be lots of growing pains everywhere for the Bears .

-- Predictions: Minnesota 9-7; Green Bay 9-7; Detroit 7-9; Chicago 6-10.

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