With the NFL preseason in full swing, Bet FTW is taking a dive into each division to preview how each team stacks up and separate the contenders from pretenders in order to select the best futures. This is the NFC North.
The biggest move of the offseason in the NFC North wasn’t an addition, but rather the departure of Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers. However, even that move will end up being of no consequence.
In the North, there’s Green Bay, and then there’s everyone else. And that will remain the case post-Adams. The Packers’ defense is legit, their running backs make up maybe the NFL’s best tandem, and the quarterback is still the reigning MVP. Bet on them winning the North, and here are a few more bets you can take to the bank.
Odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook.
Division Winner
Green Bay Packers (-190)
Over/Under 10.5 wins? Over -160
Will they make the playoffs? Yes -500
NFC odds: +425 Super Bowl odds: +1000
The Packers are going to win this division by default because none of the other teams are good enough to stop them. The loss of Davante Adams isn’t nothing, but I think Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon put the offense on their backs and the two-time reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers makes lemonade with the receivers he has. Oh, and did I mention this defense is legit? The Packers will be just fine up until the playoffs, their usual kryptonite.
Remaining Teams
Minnesota Vikings (+280)
Over/Under 9.5 wins? Under -135
Will they make the playoffs? No -115
NFC odds: +1500 Super Bowl odds: +4000
Across the board, Minnesota simply isn’t good enough. Even with an offense that can be great at times and good in spurts, the Vikings aren’t consistent enough with Kirk Cousins leading the charge. That’s how you end up with a team that’s been right around .500 the last four years and will likely finish one or two games above or below this year. I’ll say below and take the under on their win total, though the odds on them missing the playoffs are better.
Detroit Lions (+1000)
Over/Under 6.5 wins? Over -125
Will they make the playoffs? Yes +380
NFC odds: +5000 Super Bowl odds: +10000
You know I was bound to jump out the window with one of these picks, and the Detroit Lions are the team I’ll do it with. Do I actually believe deep down inside that they’ll make the playoffs? Maybe not. But I do think they’re a dark horse because of the fight they showed as a three-win team last season. The personnel simply wasn’t there for them to pull out some of the closer games, but they’ve improved a lot this offseason. Maybe they’re still a couple pieces short of an actual playoff team, but I believe Dan Campbell will get them to fight to the end.
Chicago Bears (+1300)
Over/Under 6.5 wins? Under -160
Will they make the playoffs? No -549
NFC odds: +6000 Super Bowl odds: +10000
I absolutely hate how the Bears approached this offseason. Unlike the Jets, who did everything they could to give Zach Wilson the necessary pieces to show growth in his second year, the Bears were as conservative as possible, leaving Justin Fields with arguably the worst receiving corps in the NFL. The defense won’t be very good either. This could end up being the worst team in the NFL, so I consider Chicago’s under a lock.
More Good Bets
- Bears are NFL’s lowest scoring team +600
- Packers finish 1st and Lions finish 2nd in division +600
- Vikings WR Justin Jefferson leads NFL in receiving yards +750
- Vikings RB Dalvin Cook leads NFL in rushing TDs +1000
- Lions’ Dan Campbell wins Coach of the Year +1500
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).
