ESPN.com's All-NFC North team for the 2011 season was posted a few days ago. It includes five Detroit Lions players -- three on offense and two on defense.
The three offensive players on the All-NFC North team might come as a bit of a surprise. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson made the team, which was expected. It was a bit unexpected to see left tackle Jeff Backus and left guard Rob Sims on it, though. The left side of the Lions' offensive line combined with the center and right side of the Green Bay Packers' offensive line to form the All-NFC North's O-line.
On defense, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and safety Louis Delmas made the All-NFC North team for the Lions.
Overall, the Packers unsurprisingly had the most players on the All-NFC North team with 12 overall (seven on offense, three on defense and two on special teams). The Chicago Bears had the next most players with seven. Interestingly, only one of those players (Matt Forte) made the team on offense. Two were on special teams and four were on defense. The Minnesota Vikings brought up the rear with only three players on the All-NFC North team.