We continue our NFL Divisional previews with the other division reigning in the north, turning our attention to the NFC North. Much like the AFC North, this division is one of the toughest in football, and every team looks to have improved coming into this next season.
Find the best futures odds and more at our favorite online sportsbooks.
NFC North Divisional History
Goff and the Lions are looking to three peat in the division
Past 10 NFC North Division Champions
- 2024: Detroit Lions (15-2)
- 2023: Detroit Lions (12-5)
- 2022: Minnesota Vikings (13-4)
- 2021: Green Bay Packers (13-4)
- 2020: Green Bay Packers (13-3)
- 2019: Green Bay Packers (13-3)
- 2018: Chicago Bears (12-4)
- 2017: Minnesota Vikings (13-3)
- 2016: Green Bay Packers (10-6)
- 2015: Minnesota Vikings (11-5)
Every team has been on top over the past decade, but it sure seems like it’s been a lot longer for Bears fans. They’ve finished last in the division for three straight years, but new Head Coach Ben Johnson is ready to turn things around.
Do the oddsmakers think they have a shot?
NFC North Betting Odds
Can Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers dethrone the Detroit Lions?
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Odds to Win Super Bowl LX
- Detroit Lions +900
- Green Bay Packers +1800
- Minnesota Vikings +2200
- Chicago Bears +4000
The division is well represented amongst the favorites to hoist the Lombardi this season, with two teams in the Top 7 of the odds board and three in the Top 11. The Bears are also probably the highest they’ve been up the board in the preseason in a while.
But who has the best shot at dethroning Detroit?
Odds to Win NFC North Division
- Detroit Lions +150
- Green Bay Packers +260
- Minnesota Vikings +265
- Chicago Bears +550
Despite losing their Offensive Coordinator, the Lions are the still the betting favorite to win the division. But it will be tough. The Packers are looking to get back into their top form, Minnesota has a great roster but is putting it in the hands of J.J. McCarthy, and the Bears might be revamped with Johnson at the helm.
Can Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson revamp the Bears offense?
Team Win Totals
Chicago Bears
- Over 8.5 (+125)
- Under 8.5 (-155)
Detroit Lions
- Over 10.5 (+110)
- Under 10.5 (-140)
Green Bay Packers
- Over 9.5 (-130)
- Under 9.5 (+100)
Minnesota Vikings
- Over 8.5 (-165)
- Under 8.5 (+135)
To be honest with you, I want no part of any of these totals. If anything, give me the juice and take the Bears Under 8.5 (-155). They have some very tough games on their schedule, and I don’t think Ben Johnson solves all their problems. Chicago has plenty more issues to worry about.
Justin Jefferson might be the best wide receiver in the NFL
NFC North Team Breakdown
Chicago Bears
The big news around the Windy City is that former OC for Detroit, Ben Johnson, is now the Head Coach for the Bears. Can he bring is unique style to lead both sides of the ball? The Bears drafted Luther Burden III, rounding out a WR room with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, giving Caleb Williams plenty of options for pass catching. I’m sure Johnson can use his flair to spice up a rather mundane offense.
They also boosted the O-Line, adding Joe Thuney to protect their franchise QB.
However, the Bears have to play six games in a very, very tough division. It will be hard for them to get one or two wins in my eyes. Other than that, they have to go to Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Washington. It might be a long season for the Bears, and I’m not sure I see nine wins in this team.
Detroit Lions
The Lions begin life without Ben Johnson running the offense, but John Morton is ready to take over. Detroit still has all of their offensive skill players from last season, and defensively, they gain back DE Aiden Hutchinson. While they may take a step back (which is bound to happen after a record breaking season), they are still the team to beat in this division.
The Lions also have tons of tough away games on their schedule, with dates facing Baltimore, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Washington, Philadelphia and the LA Rams on the road. But they do have the benefit of hosting the Buccaneers. Ultimately, Detroit will need to perform well on the road this season in order to have a shot at the divisional three peat.
Dan Campbell is still in charge, and the ultimate motivator should have no problem making it back to the playoffs.
Josh Jacobs and the Packers are a sneaky pick to win this division
Green Bay Packers
Go Pack Go! Jordan Love is ready to make a name for himself in the NFL, and he’s got a new wideout in rookie Matthew Golden to help him do so. Golden joins Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs in the WR room, with Tucker Kraft and Josh Jacobs rounding out the skill players. They released CB Jaire Alexander, whose time in Green Bay needed to end.
Looking at the Packers schedule, they get to host the Bengals, Ravens, Commanders and Eagles (their hardest non-divisional matchups), with their toughest road contests outside of the NFC North being at Pittsburgh and Denver. This is a very favorable schedule for the Packers who are surrounded by talent in this division.
If you forced me to pick a winner in the NFC North, I would hesitantly put my money on the Packers at +260. This defense was No. 6 in the league in scoring and yards allowed last season.
Minnesota Vikings
Last but not least, the Minnesota Vikings. After a fantastic season with Sam Darnold, the Vikings still chose to hand over the keys to their young stud, J.J. McCarthy. He has huge shoes to fill after Darnold’s fantastic season last year, and he’s got a great supporting cast.
Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson return for the offense, as well as a WR room of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor. Add QB J.J. into the mix and that’s a lot of J’s for secondaries to keep track of. Minnesota also brings back a stellar defense that was No. 5 in points allowed last season, giving up less than 20.
If McCarthy pans out like Vikings fans hope, this roster is simply way too good not to make some waves in the NFL this season.
Overall, this will be an incredibly fun division to keep tabs on all season long, even if you aren’t a fan of any of these four teams.
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