NFC North: Packers To Rule Again

The four teams of the NFC North, the oldest division in the NFL, have been beating on each other for a long time, ever since the Vikings joined the league in 1961.

This is the famed "black-and-blue" division with some of the oldest and most tradition-soaked teams in the league and, not coincidentally, the winningest.

Then, there are the Lions. the only team in NFL history to go winless in a 16-game season. That was in 2008. Remember quarterbacks Jon Kitna and Dan Orlovsky?

History won't quite repeat itself this year, as the Lions will again be bad, but not that bad.

The NFC North has some of the best players in the league, in Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson, the league's MVP last year, just to name a couple.

Still, I think only the Packers have a legitimate shot at making it to the Super Bowl this year. Here is my preview of the division and predictions. Who do you think will win the division this year?

- Getty Images

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Former Mets closer K-Rod on the move again, traded to Orioles

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Baltimore Orioles have acquired reliever Francisco Rodriguez from the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league infielder Nick Delmonico.

The Orioles cleared space for Rodriguez on the 40-man roster Tuesday by transferring outfielder Nolan Reimold to the 60-day disabled list before their game against the Kansas City Royals.

RELATED: JETER TALKS UP SORIANO AS YANKS, CUBS MULL TRADE

Rodriguez was one of the game's best relievers during his time with the Angels, saving a major league-record 62 games in 2008. He later spent three seasons as a closer with the Mets that are remembered mostly for an alleged assault of his girlfriend's father at the ballpark.

The 31-year-old Rodriguez has revitalized his career the past three years in Milwaukee, going 1-1 with 10 saves and a 1.09 ERA in 25 appearances this season.

Delmonico, a sixth-round draft pick in 2011, was hitting .244 in 60 games for Class-A Frederick. He hit .249 in 95 games for Class-A Delmarva last season.

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K-Rod on the move again, traded to Orioles

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Baltimore Orioles have acquired reliever Francisco Rodriguez from the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league infielder Nick Delmonico.

The Orioles cleared space for Rodriguez on the 40-man roster Tuesday by transferring outfielder Nolan Reimold to the 60-day disabled list before their game against the Kansas City Royals.

RELATED: JETER TALKS UP SORIANO AS YANKS, CUBS MULL TRADE

Rodriguez was one of the game's best relievers during his time with the Angels, saving a major league-record 62 games in 2008. He later spent three seasons as a closer with the Mets that are remembered mostly for an alleged assault of his girlfriend's father at the ballpark.

The 31-year-old Rodriguez has revitalized his career the past three years in Milwaukee, going 1-1 with 10 saves and a 1.09 ERA in 25 appearances this season.

Delmonico, a sixth-round draft pick in 2011, was hitting .244 in 60 games for Class-A Frederick. He hit .249 in 95 games for Class-A Delmarva last season.

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Stokes shines again in Durham win

Friends Life t20 North Group, Chesterfield

Durham 137-6 (18.4 overs) beat Derbyshire 136-7 (20 overs) by four wickets

Ben Stokes's stunning 46 from 24 balls helped Durham leapfrog Derbyshire into third in the FLt20 North Group with a four-wicket win at Chesterfield.

After a disastrous first over in which Wes Durston was run out, useful knocks from Chesney Hughes and Wayne Madsen (both 32) saw the hosts to 136-7.

Durham also began badly, slumping to 36-4 in the eighth over.

But Stokes, after 72 not out at Trent Bridge on Friday, and Gordon Muchall put on a decisive 77-run stand.

After both fell to Durston, Michael Richardson saw the visitors home with eight balls to spare with a six off Tim Groenewald.

Youngster Stokes's knock included five sixes and showed the talent of a player who was involved in England's recent Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand.

The all-rounder's form in this competition has helped Durham move into contention for a quarter-final berth following back-to-back victories.

Match scorecard

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