4 Expert NFC North Predictions for Bettors Looking to Win Big

In the NFC North, the Packers remain heavy favorites, and the Bears have a lot of work to do. In between them, the Vikings and Lions will be battling for relevance in the NFC playoff picture. 

NFC North Predictions: Recommended Bets

NFC North Division Preview

Will the Green Bay Packers continue their dominance with a fourth straight NFC North title? If so, can they finally have some success in the playoffs? Can Aaron Rodgers really win a third straight MVP award? Will the Chicago Bears or Detroit Lions overcome long odds to make the playoffs? Where do the Minnesota Vikings fit into the NFC playoff picture?

These are the biggest questions surrounding the teams in the NFC North heading into the 2022 campaign. Let’s take a closer look at how the sportsbooks view each team heading into the season, and where you can find the best value with our NFC north predictions.

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NFC North Predictions: 

Chicago Bears Odds

  • 2021 Regular Season Record: 6-11
  • Odds to win the division: +1200 at DraftKings
  • Win total: Over 6.5, -105 at BetMGM
  • Odds to make playoffs: +450 at DraftKings 

The Bears head into the 2022 season in a full-scale rebuild. In fact, this may be the “most rebuilding team” in the NFL. That tends to happen with struggling teams that have a second-year quarterback and a first-year head coach. The question in Chicago may not be whether Justin Fields is ready to take a major step forward, but rather if he even has the supporting cast around him to allow him to do so. Allen Robinson is gone, depriving the Bears of their third-leading (and most talented overall) receiver from last season, and an underwhelming receiving corps remains in his absence, it’ll be up to David Montgomery and the running game to help take pressure off Fields, who can also be dangerous with his legs. Meanwhile, the typically solid Chicago defense will be without Alec Ogletree; last year’s second-leading tackler. This defense will potentially be relying on two rookie starters in the secondary. 

In short, the Bears have no shortage of questions on both sides of the ball heading into 2022. If they can maintain their 22/23 preseason form (3-0), then there certainly is promise in backing the Bears. 

NFC North Predictions Recommended Bet:

Detroit Lions Odds

Not many teams would consider three wins in a season an accomplishment. However, based on their expectation heading into the 2021 season, one could say the Lions actually overachieved last season. In addition to their three wins, the Lions had five losses come by four points or less, and a tie. So, despite posting a far from a respectable record last year, there are reasons for optimism. During the offseason, the Lions added first-round picks on both sides of the ball, adding to the young core that played so hard under head coach Dan Campbell last year. Whether the Lions can be more competitive this year comes down to what they get out of Jared Goff, who averaged just 6.6 yards per pass in 2021. On the bright side, Amon-Ra St. Brown, who had an impressive rookie season last year, will be joined by free agent addition DJ Chark and rookie Jameson Williams in the receiving corps. However, after giving up the second-most points in the NFL last season, the Lions still need to make strides on that side of the ball, even with the addition of second-overall pick Aidan Hutchison.

NFC North Predictions Recommended Bet:

Green Bay Packers Odds

As long as Aaron Rodgers is around, the Green Bay Packers will be the favorites to win the NFC North. This is a team that’s won 13 games in each of the past three seasons, with Rodgers winning league MVP in each of the last two. Of course, the Packers must find a way to replace Davante Adams, which will be a challenge. On the other hand, the backfield tandem of AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones could be among the best in the NFL. On defense, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary combined for 18.5 sacks last season, forming one of the top pass-rushing duos in the league. The Packers also added two first-round picks to their defense, adding to an already impressive front-seven. Even if the Packers slip a bit offensively without Adams, the defense could actually be better in support of Rodgers. That would open the door for not only another division title, but an improvement on the Pack’s 2-3 playoff record from the past three years.

Points Conceded per Game (21/22)

14

Green Bay Packers

21.8

22

Chicago Bears

23.9

24

Minnesota Vikings

25.1

31

Detroit Lions

27.5

NFC North Predictions Recommended Bet: 

Minnesota Vikings Odds

After back-to-back losing seasons, the Vikings finally moved on from Mike Zimmer, bringing in Kevin O’Connell as a first-time head coach. However, unlike most rookie head coaches, O’Connell will be under pressure to win right away. That’s because, in theory, the Vikings have an offense - with an elite running back like Dalvin Cook and one of the best-receiving tandems in the NFL in Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, and a solidly “good” quarterback in Kirk Cousins - that should be better than 14th in the league in points scored. Even with Cousins only throwing seven interceptions, the Vikings couldn’t find ways to win games, losing five times by four points or less. The Minnesota defense deserves some blame too, as they gave up over 25 points per game. To their credit, the Vikings used two early-round draft picks to add to their secondary, while also adding linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Jordan Hicks in free agency. These are moves that could pay dividends, provided Cousins continues to play mistake-free football while using the weapons around him.

The Vikings team hasn't been without its share of misfortune over the preseason. Bisi Johnson has suffered another ACL injury during a meeting against the Denver Broncos. He suffered a similar fate last season, a sign of things to come? 

NFC North Predictions Recommended Bet: 

What Does History Tell Us? 

Historically, the Vikings have come out on top of the division more than any other team (20 Championships). Despite their glory, the Vikings look like a shadow of their former self with consecutive losing seasons. Perhaps failing to win a Superbowl in their history also adds insult to injury...

The sportsbook favorite, the Green Bay Packers are looking to edge closer to that top spot. As long as Aaron Rodgers sticks around, they'll stand a fighting chance at closing that gap. 

NFC North Division Championships

Minnesota Vikings

20

Green Bay Packers

18

Chicago Bears

11

Detroit Lions

3

Conclusion

Which team has what it takes to claim the title? Interested in more football content? Be sure to read our guide: How To Bet on American Football or check out our picks for the AFC North league and visit our odds comparison tool to compare the latest odds.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What Teams are in the NFC North Division? 

The NFC North consists of four teams; the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and the Minnesota Vikings. These teams make up the competitive NFC North division and are located in the upper midwest region of the United States.

Who Won the NFC North Last Year?

The Green Bay Packers currently hold the championship going into the 22/23 NFL season. Going 13-4 meant they won their 18th title since the formation of the division. 

 

Written by Bryan Zarpentine

Bryan Zarpentine has been a sports and sports betting writer for over 12 years. When he's not writing about sports, he's usually watching sports, attending sporting events, or on road trips on his way to sporting events.

Bryan is an NCAA football and basketball specialist who gives excellent insight into MLB and the NFL worlds.