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It’s hard to believe but the 2024 NFL season is officially less than two months away. Betting News has spent the summer months previewing the upcoming game, including when it comes to this year’s division odds. Here’s a look at some of the work we’ve already done:
- 2024 AFC North Preview
- 2024 AFC West Preview
- 2024 NFC East Preview
- 2024 NFC West Preview
As you could tell when you clicked on this article, the NFC North is the next division we’re looking at. The Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings are known to have some of the most intense rivalries in the NFL and that will more than likely continue this fall. But who has what it takes to win the division crown?
Let’s talk about the most likely winner as we dive into my 2024 NFC North preview.
NFL Futures Betting: NFC North Division Odds 2024
NFC North 2024 odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of 10:21 a.m. ET on Monday, July 29.
- Detroit Lions (+130)
- Green Bay Packers (+200)
- Chicago Bears (+300)
- Minnesota Vikings (+1100)
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Last 10 NFC North Division Winners
- 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)
- 2014: Green Bay Packers (12-4)
NFL Betting: NFC North 2024 Preview
Detroit Lions (+130)
After winning the NFC North for the first time in 30 years last season, the Detroit Lions are favored to win it all again. BetOnline has Dan Campbell’s squad as the +130 division favorite, carrying an implied probability of 43.5%.
The Lions were one of the NFL’s biggest threats last season, finishing with a whopping 12 victories — the franchise’s most since 1991. Although the defense left much to be desired at times, Detroit’s offense was among the best in the league as it ranked third in total yards and fifth in points per game. Whether it was Jared Goff airing the ball out to Amon-Ra St. Brown or David Montgomery carving up opposing defenses on the ground, the Lions’ attack wasn’t to be messed with.
Fortunately, Lions general manager Brad Holmes addressed the team’s defensive issues this offseason. Defenders D.J. Reader, Amik Robertson, and Marcus Davenport were all added through free agency earlier this spring. The franchise also used its first two 2024 draft picks on defensive backs Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, who have the potential to be mainstays in the secondary for years to come.
If the defensive improvements pay off, the Lions will be at the forefront of the NFC North race throughout the season. They continue to get better and better under Campbell’s guidance and if that trend continues, they might even be in the Super Bowl mix come the postseason.
Green Bay Packers (+200)
When it comes to the Lions’ division aspirations, the Green Bay Packers are their biggest threat at +200 odds. It should’ve come as a surprise given that the Pack has dominated the NFC North for the better part of the last three decades, having won a whopping 15 division crowns since the start of the 1995 NFL season.
Having said that, those title victories were led by Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, leaving Jordan Love looking for his first title. The former Utah State product’s 2023 breakout performance (4,159 yards, 32 TDs, 11 INTs) was a big reason why the Packers went 9-8 and made it all the way to the division round. He’s since received a record-break four-year, $220 million contract extension for his efforts, leaving time to tell if he can live up to that massive financial figure.
The Packers have surrounded Love with some talented pass-catchers, however, there’s going to be a new face in the backfield. With long-time starting running back Aaron Jones gone, veteran rusher Josh Jacobs is set to lead Green Bay’s ground attack. Although the former Alabama RB is a three-time 1,000-yard runner, some Packers fans have concerns after he tallied career lows in scrimmage yards (1,101) and touchdowns (6) last season.
Outside of safety Xavier McKinney’s addition, the Packers didn’t make any other major free-agent signings, meaning the roster is largely unchanged. Having said that, the group was good enough to get the Packers into the playoffs last season and they should be able to compete for the NFC North crown as long as everyone does their part.
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Chicago Bears (+300)
When it comes to this year’s NFC North race, the Chicago Bears might be the most intriguing team. The Bears haven’t had such promising divisional odds in what seems like forever, having not won the division since 2018 while averaging just 6.4 wins in the five subsequent seasons.
At the same time, these aren’t the Bears that we’re used to. They already showed flashes of potential at times last season, however, the future is more promising now with Caleb Williams under center. This year’s No. 1 overall selection has all the tools to be Chicago’s face of the franchise for years to come after a dominant tenure at USC that involved achieving various accolades, including his 2022 Heisman Trophy victory.
While some rookie QBs aren’t always given a solid surrounding cast, that isn’t the case for Williams. Not only are the likes of DJ Moore and Cole Kmet back for another season but Chicago has since added former Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen and 2024 ninth-overall selection Rome Odunze to the mix. Throw in the fact that D’Andre Swift is now the lead back and that the offensive line looks as strong as ever, and it’s easy to imagine Williams having immediate success.
The Bears’ odds to win the NFC North will only improve if the defense picks up from where it left off. Defensive end Montez Sweat’s mid-season arrival completely changed Chicago’s defense as it went from allowing 27.3 PPG through the first eight games of the campaign to just 17.9 PPG following his arrival.
The Bears also own the third-easiest 2024 schedule across the NFL, meaning their division odds could drastically increase if they can take advantage of their juicy matchups.
Minnesota Vikings (+1100)
While the other three teams’ odds are fairly close to one another, the Minnesota Vikings are unfavorable +1100 long shots next season.
On one hand, the Vikings had a great free agency showing. They’ve completely revamped their defense, adding the likes of Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Shaquill Griffin. That’s without mentioning rookie linebacker Dallas Turner, who Minnesota drafted 17th overall out of Alabama.
However, it isn’t the offense that has the Vikings’ odds looking less than desirable.
There are some questions surrounding the Vikings’ offense after the offseason departure of QB1 Kirk Cousins. As a result, Minnesota is left starting either rookie J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold under center. Even though McCarthy could develop into a top-10 quarterback one day, he still has a lot of aspects of his game to iron out while Darnold still hasn’t lived up to the hype that came with being drafted third overall five years ago.
Even if the defense bounces back from last year, it won’t be much if the Vikings can’t score the ball. Unless McCarthy or Darnold play well enough to make the fanbase forget about Cousins, chances are Minnesota will finish at the bottom of the division.
NFC North 2024 Prediction: Chicago Bears (+300)
While you could argue that the Lions or Packers are good enough to win the NFC North (they are), I’m taking the Bears next season. On top of making plenty of improvements in both sides of the lineup, Chicago also boasts the third-easiest schedule league-wide. The easier slate of games could benefit the Bears in the long room, especially if Caleb Williams debuts in the NFL as advertised.
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