Mason:

Looking at the NFC North six games into the season, it almost makes you want to vomit.

There’s no team with a winning record, and three teams sit atop the division lead at 3-3– the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. And if that doesn’t make your stomach turn, listen to the current starting quarterbacks for all four rosters: Aaron Rodgers, Kyle Orton, Gus Frerotte and… Dan Orlovsky?

Yet, as bad as this division is, someone sadly has to win it. With 10 games remaining, which team will prevail as the best loser?

The Minnesota Vikings.

Yes, I’m aware the Vikings’ offense has looked anemic. They’ve scored more than 20 points in just one game this season — a game against the New Orleans Saints they had no business winning. Their lack of production even caused fans at the Metrodome this past Sunday to chant “Fire Childress!” as they showed their disapproval of the Vikings head coach.

But believe it or not, the purple and gold have the tools to emerge as the top team in the North.

If you throw Minnesota’s first two games out the window — which you should do because Tarvaris Jackson was the starter — the Vikings are 3-1 with Frerotte at the helm. They haven’t been winning pretty, but at least they’ve been winning.

And it’s true that star running back Adrian Peterson’s numbers have been slightly down from his rookie campaign a year ago. But who honestly expected him to put up those ridiculous stats in back-to-back seasons? As Frerotte becomes more familiar with the offense — and the team more familiar with him — Peterson’s numbers should take a step up.

That’s scary.

Leaders of the NFC North? Frerotte/Peterson ’08. In Gus we trust.

Zetlin:

If I’m a Bears or Packers fan, Purple Jesus does scare me. And I would be fearful of the Vikings with Frerotte under center — if I didn’t watch what happened Sunday.

The Vikings barely beat the lowly Lions 12-10, the difference coming as Orlovsky dropped back and took a safety, not knowing the white line in the back of the end zone is off-limits. Frerotte and Co. put up 10 points after that against a Detroit defense that probably couldn’t stop Allan Evridge.

Then the Bears gave up a one-point lead to a rookie quarterback on a drive that started with 0:11 remaining on the clock.

What a division.

So, by default, it will be the Packers representing the North come winter. Laugh it up, but Rodgers is the best quarterback in the division. He’s a fantasy owner’s dream come true, and more importantly he’s productive in real life.

Even if Ryan Grant doesn’t return to 2007 form, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and a stingy Green Bay ‘D’ will help lead the Favre-less Packers back to the postseason.

After a rough 0-3 stretch, the Packers figured things out against the Seahawks on Sunday, while Orton, Orlovsky and Frerotte were stinking up the joint.

Rodgers is no Favre, but as the weather gets colder, the Packers heat up. The Pack have five games left in the Tundra and two showdowns with Da Bears still remaining. But if Sunday was any indication of things to come, Green Bay will be celebrating after Week 17.

NFC North champs? Back-to-back for the Pack!