If I had to pick the best team in the NFC (and maybe in the NFL) right now, it would be the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants. The Packers are in a bunch in the middle right now that could go either way. They're certainly a candidate to win the NFC North and peak in the playoffs. They're also a candidate to succumb to a difficult schedule and miss the playoffs. The injury to Tony Romo and the shaky status of the Dallas Cowboys, the disappointment of the Minnesota Vikings and the swift decline of the Seattle Seahawks all combine to make for an uncertain NFC.

At 6-2, Washington and Carolina have emerged as serious contenders. Dallas and Tampa Bay are both 5-3 but one of them would miss the playoffs if the season ended today. It seems a safe bet that the NFC North will only have one playoff representative. That means the Packers, Bears and Vikings will likely be scuffling for one spot. The Bears could easily be 7-0. Their losses have been by 3, 3 and 2 points. Kyle Orton has played well and if Chicago's defense can get it together, they will give the Packers a tough battle for the division title. I don't think Minnesota has the right people at head coach or quarterback and those are two pretty important pieces for a winning franchise.

My biggest concern about the Packers for the rest of the season is simple: RUN DEFENSE. If they don't get better in that area, they could be sitting home in January watching the playoffs on television. Special teams have not been as good as expected. I'm still waiting to see if the running game can become consistent. Aaron Rodgers has been playoff-caliber, Greg Jennings has become a star and the secondary has weathered some significant injuries. There's reason to believe the Packers can make the playoffs. There are also enough concerns to make the next nine games fascinating.