The NFC North is in transition, and it’s hard to know what to make of the divisional landscape.
Despite their most recent division title coming in 1993 and the fact they have never won the NFC North, the Detroit Lions are the favorites in 2023. But the reigning champion Minnesota Vikings and upstart Chicago Bears are likely to be in the mix, and you can’t count out the Green Bay Packers just yet.
Let’s dig into the latest NFC North winner odds to make a prediction and pick out our favorite sleeper bet.
NFC North Winner Betting Odds 2023
Note: These NFC North betting odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Wednesday, March 15, at 3 p.m. ET. Be careful, as many of these NFL odds may shift as we get closer to the 2023 NFL season.
- Detroit Lions (+160)
- Minnesota Vikings (+275)
- Chicago Bears (+330)
- Green Bay Packers (+400)
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As referenced above, the Lions have never finished atop the division since its founding in 2002, yet they now find themselves with the shortest odds among the North’s four clubs. Detroit won eight of its final 10 games after a 1-6 start, narrowly falling short of the postseason despite its memorable 20-16 win over the Packers, which will now be known as Aaron Rodgers‘ final home game at Lambeau Field.
Rodgers, of course, intends to quarterback the Jets next season, opening the door to the Jordan Love era in Titletown. The situation sets up eerily similarly to Brett Favre’s exit to the Big Apple, which ushered in the Rodgers era in Green Bay. Still, Vegas is skeptical of Green Bay’s chances without No. 12 — for historical context, the Packers were 6-10 and finished in third place in the North in 2008, Rodgers’ first season as the starter.
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.
NFC North Winner Best Bet
Minnesota Vikings (+250) | DraftKings Sportsbook
I love what Dan Campbell is doing for the Lions, but I can’t believe in Detroit until I see it, and I’m sure Lions fans would agree.
Minnesota is being overlooked here. Sure, the Vikings were destiny’s darling by going 11-0 in one-score games during the 2022 regular season, but there was more than just luck associated with Minnesota’s ascent to the top of the division.
The Vikings ranked eighth in points per game, and quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for more than 4,500 yards and 29 touchdowns, eight of which went to Jefferson. Despite cutting Jefferson’s fellow receiver Adam Thielen, Minnesota still has standout tight end T.J. Hockenson, who it acquired from Detroit in November.
The Vikings may regress in Kevin O’Connell‘s second season as coach, but has the rest of the division gained four games on them? Green Bay and Chicago haven’t, and I’m not sure Detroit has either.
At these odds especially, Minnesota is the pick.
NFC North Winner Sleeper Pick
Chicago Bears (+330) | DraftKings Sportsbook
The Bears make for a fascinating pick, especially with the rest of the division in flux. It’s only been three years since Chicago made the playoffs, as the No. 7 seed in the NFC in 2020, and five years since it was 12-4 and champion of the NFC North.
But the Bears are making shrewd moves to provide talent to Fields and second-year coach Matt Eberflus. They acquired receiver D.J. Moore plus substantial draft capital from the Carolina Panthers while offloading the No. 1 overall pick, giving Fields a bonafide top receiving option.
Plus, many QBs make the leap in Year 3, and Fields was showing signs of doing so in a creative Bears offense down the stretch. Can Fields and the Bears get to 10 wins?
That would probably be enough to win the division.
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 |
