I have to say, the Bears are what they are... the best in the NFC. The Chargers lost their coaching staff, and the Colts lost a fistful of contributers on the field. Meanwhile, the Pats got better... of course I am a homer, and I discount the possible departure of Asante Samuel, and the retirement of Corey Dillon, but to me, those are more than counterbalanced by the myriad moves that shore up the linebacker position, as well as the receiving corps and the Pats' special teams.
We'll see how it all gels on the field, of course... but to me, only the Chargers stayed competitive, and that's going by the assumption that their coaching wasn't that great to begin with, and they got where they got through raw talent.
One man's opinion (and a homer's at that.)
PFnV