NFL

NFC North odds, picks and prediction to win the division

Joe Williams

Sportsbook Wire

The NFC North Division is set up for a very interesting race in 2021, as the sportsbooks envision a three-way competition, with only one team not expected to amount to much in 2021. Below, we analyze the odds to win the NFC North and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.

The Green Bay Packers are the favorites in the NFC North after an offseason of drama. QB Aaron Rodgers expressed his unhappiness with management, and there appeared to be a real chance he would move to another organization. Things simmered down, and Rodgers is back under center, and all appears to be well, at least for now.

The Chicago Bears moved on from QB Mitchell Trubisky, drafting QB Justin Fields. They also picked up veteran QB Andy Dalton as a bridge option until Fields is ready.

And of course, the Minnesota Vikings are still dangerous, as they have one of the best running backs in the game with Dalvin Cook, while WR Adam Thielen remains as dangerous as ever.

The Detroit Lions said goodbye to QB Matthew Stafford, flipping him to the Los Angeles Rams in a trade for QB Jared Goff.

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Odds to win NFC North

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, Aug. 25.

Packers: -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
Vikings: +230 (bet $100 to win $230)
Bears: +425 (bet $100 to win $425)
Lions: +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)

The Bears, Lions and Vikings each return more money than your original bet, should they win a division crown. The Lions have the highest long-shot odds in the NFC North with +2000 odds representing an implied win probability of 4.76%.

Also see:Bet Slippin' Podcast - NFC North preview

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NFC North picks and predictions

The PACKERS (-160) looked like a team in disarray, but disaster has been averted and Green Bay is no longer in 'jeopardy' of losing Rodgers. WR Davante Adams also seemed to voice his displeasure but with his quarterback in the fold, all is well in the land of milk and cheese.

If Rodgers and the Packers were going to split, it's likely the VIKINGS (+230) would have filled the void and been the cream to rise to the top. It's still very hard to trust QB Kirk Cousins, as he is more of a caretaker than a star, but they're still very dangerous as long as Cook can stay healthy.

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I like the BEARS (+425) a lot more than the Vikings, as they have the likes of LBs Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith holding it down on defense, and a respectable pass rush.

On offense, RB David Montgomery looked like a legit star, and WR Allen Robinson appears to be happy again. TE Cole Kmet also could be an up-and-comer ready to make a difference, so Chicago is a sleeper.

They're worth a small-unit play for a chance to potentially quadruple your wager.

The only team you needn't pay any mind would be the Lions (+2000). It's going to take some time for Detroit to find its sea legs with Goff taking the reins of the offense, and the receiving corps is a work in progress. The offensive line should be improved, but the defense is just so-so. Don't bother.

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