All of the hype in the NFC North division will be on the Green Bay and Minnesota rivalry. This is a two-team race and oddsmakers have Green Bay as the early favorite, though that could be due to a lack of a true commitment for a return of Brett Favre. Will the Lions and Bears be able to shock the world? Let’s take a look.
Online NFL Football Betting: NFC North Preview
Online Betting odds: Green Bay Packers (+115), Minnesota Vikings (+140), Chicago Bears (+530), Detroit Lions (+2500)
Green Bay (+115): The Packers come in as the early favorite, though, for wrong reasons. That does not mean the team is not loaded or a true contender to win this division. They lost in overtime in the most entertaining playoff game last year against Arizona. The Packers resolve in coming back in that game showed what the team is worth. Aaron Rodgers has become an elite quarterback and has a great set of wideouts. They need a bounce back season from Ryan Grant and their elite secondary got torched by Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Arizona. Regardless, the Packers are one of two viable options in this division.
Minnesota (+140): This is a good price to grab the Vikings at. As it stands, odds makers need to cover their ground in case Favre doesn’t return. The fact that they are only +140 with Tarvaris Jackson as the starter should tell you something. Favre has announced his retirement but a lot of bettors are speculating that his decision is not final. They are loaded on both sides of the ball, and angry at how the year ended last season. If Favre truly doesn’t return – and that’s a big if – you are still looking at a playoff team, just not a division champion.
Chicago (+530): The Bears were a disappointment last season, expecting to be a contender for the division crown. Jay Cutler led the league in interceptions, and Matt Forte experienced a huge sophomore drop off. The team has brought in Mike Martz to revamp the offense, but the receivers are not strong enough to turn Cutler back into Chicago form. The signing of Julius Peppers was huge and the team is turning the corner. It just may be one or two more years until we see them near the top of the list.
Detroit (+2500): Well, the Lions won two games last season after an 0-fer the previous year. I guess at this rate, they could be competing for a division title in 2015. All kidding aside, the defense is hurting but the pick up of Ndamukong Suh will help immensely. He is a stop-gap against the run and will get to the quarterback. The offense is slowly developing into a young powerhouse. Jahvid Best at running back should excel, joining quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. This could be the new NFL three-headed monster. The monster will not make waves this year, however.
Online NFL Football Betting Pick: Minnesota Vikings. You and I both know Favre is coming back. The team was one play away from a Super Bowl berth, a game they could have arguably won. They are loaded with playmakers, and have a sound defense. It’s too much for Green Bay to top.
Value Pick: Minnesota Vikings. It is not often the same team will occupy both spots. However, at plus money, it is best to jump on this team now before Favre commits, as they will become two or three to one chalk. If pressed for an option, Chicago could be worth a look at +540, since Martz teams have come out of nowhere before.