A division that is up for grabs is a bettor’s dream. The NFC North is without a Packers-led Hall-of-Famer for the first time since 1992. The Packers have largely dominated the NFC North/Central division over the past 30 seasons, winning 15 division titles.
That dominance may finally shift to the other teams battling for division supremacy.
The current division favorite has not won the North/Central since 1993, and the current favorite is looking to win consecutive titles since 2008-09.
Let’s look at the odds and make some picks for the NFC North.
NFC North Winner Betting Odds 2023
Note: These NFC North betting odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Wednesday, June 29, at 5 p.m. ET. Be careful, as many of these NFL odds may shift as we get closer to the 2023 NFL season.
- Detroit Lions (+130)
- Minnesota Vikings (+250)
- Chicago Bears (+425)
- Green Bay Packers (+475)
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The Vikings won the North by four games over the Lions yet have the second-shortest odds despite a solid defense, competent quarterback play, and arguably the division’s biggest star, wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Chicago, who finished last while going 1-7 in one-score games, has the third-best odds in what will be quarterback Justin Fields‘ second full season as the signal-caller.
The unknown is why the Packers bring up the rear for divisional odds. Jordan Love will have his first unquestioned opportunity as a starter since being drafted in 2020. The Packers also have a receiving corps with little to no experience.
NFC North Winner Best Bet
Minnesota Vikings (+250) | DraftKings Sportsbook
Kirk Cousins is good enough to win the division, especially with a full season of T.J. Hockensen and the addition of Jordan Addison via the NFL Draft.
Minnesota also got incrementally better on both sides of the line. The defensive line is still a work in progress, but Harrison Phillips and Dean Lowry aren’t slouches.
If Marcus Davenport can complement Danielle Hunter as an EDGE rusher, then the Vikes D is in a much better position to slow down teams such as the Lions.
NFC North Winner Sleeper Pick
Chicago Bears (+425) | DraftKings Sportsbook
Lightning in a bottle is what the Bears need to win the North, and they may have it.
Justin Fields was a weekly highlight reel, but it was more with his legs. Another year under Matt Eberflus and the addition of D.J. Moore are reasons to feel bullish.
Another reason to get excited is the rebuilt offensive line. Cody Whitehair is back at center, where he was a Pro Bowler, and the additions of Nate Davis and Darnell Wright on the right side of the line are upgrades from 2022-23.
The team that knew they could run the ball added road graders up front and added D’Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, and pass-catching specialist Travis Homer into the mix as competition for Fields and Khalil Herbert.
Improvements in the passing attack could at least put the Bears above .500 and higher if the other teams in the North falter.
NFC North Winner By Year
| Year | NFC North Winner | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Green Bay Packers | 8-7-1 |
| 2014 | Green Bay Packers | 12-4 |
| 2015 | Minnesota Vikings | 11-5 |
| 2016 | Green Bay Packers | 10-6 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Vikings | 13-3 |
| 2018 | Chicago Bears | 12-4 |
| 2019 | Green Bay Packers | 13-3 |
| 2020 | Green Bay Packers | 13-3 |
| 2021 | Green Bay Packers | 13-4 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Vikings | 13-4 |
