7. Chicago Bears:

Though Bears fans will likely find it preposterous that their team is ranked behind New Orleans, it's hard to think Chicago improved over the off-season. While the addition of Darwin Walker will help, there are still a few lingering question marks. Lance Briggs got a one-year deal before the start of camp but could still be poisonous in the locker room, Tank Johnson's gone, Thomas Jones was traded to New York, and contributors Ian Scott, Todd Johnson, Alfonso Boone and Cameron Worrell are all elsewhere as well. More importantly, five of Lovie Smith's assistant coaches — including defensive coordinator Ron Rivera — are no longer with the organization.
Who knows what Chicago's going to get out of the Cedric Benson/Garrett Wolfe/Adrian Peterson/Devin Hester combo at running back, and Rex Grossman is... well... not the most consistent quarterback in the league. History isn't exactly on Chicago's side either. Five of the last six Super Bowl runners-up failed to make the playoffs the following year. Then again, the defense is still likely tops in the NFC and the addition of Adam Archuleta should only help. Chicago's going to be strong in '07; no questions there. Is it the NFC's best team, though? I'm tentatively tipping my hat to New Orleans on that for now.

I smell a bit....