NFC North Odds: Packers Still Big Favorites While Bears Slip Back Further

You’d think that the loss of star receiver Davante Adams would be enough for the Green Bay Packers to lose their status as the favorites in the NFC North. You’d be wrong. Even with Adams’ trade to Las Vegas, the Packers still hold the best 2022 NFC North odds

Sportsbooks have put the Packers at the top of the division with odds at -175. The Minnesota Vikings have the next-best odds at +225.

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NFC North Odds: Who Will Win The NFC North?

Green Bay Packers (-175)

Aaron Rodgers. That’s really the difference for the Packers. Having the 10-time Pro Bowler and four-time MVP after last year’s win is responsible for oddsmakers putting Green Bay at the top of the NFC North table.

Under Matt LaFleur, the Packers had the NFL’s 10th-best defense and ninth-best offense in 2021. And while the loss of Davante Adams could put a dent in Green Bay’s offense, the hope is that Allen Lazard can step up and fill the role as the No. 1 wide receiver. Lazard made 40 catches for 513 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago.

That said, they do have Rodgers throwing the ball and nobody should be surprised if he makes his receivers look better than they are.

The foundation is set for Green Bay. So as long as Rodgers can stay healthy, there’s no reason to think they can’t win this division for the fourth straight year.

The Packers hold the fourth-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +1000.

Minnesota Vikings (+225)

Can they play defense this year? The Vikings had the ninth-worst defensive record in the NFL last season with 6.9 yards against per attempt. Getting Danielle Hunter back from injury is a big boost. In 2021, Hunter was on pace for 92 solo and assisted tackles as well as his usual 14.5 sacks.

While the Vikings gained a respectable 7.4 yards per attempt in 2021, it was their defensive play that ultimately cost them. The Vikings lost four games by three points or less, including two games in overtime. Sorting out their defensive issues could net the Vikings enough to get into the playoffs and maybe even get ahead of the Green Bay Packers.

A $100 winning bet on the Vikings upsetting the Packers to top the NFC North would net a $225 profit.

The Vikings take on Green Bay in a big Week 1 matchup, with the Packers favored by 1.5 points. Read Odds Shark’s Week 1 betting analysis.

Detroit Lions (+900)

Following his acquisition in the Matthew Stafford trade, Jared Goff came as advertised for the Detroit Lions in 2021. Compared to the previous season, Goff’s completion rate was 0.2 percentage points better, his interception rate was 0.8 better and his QB rating was 1.5 points better.

Don’t forget that the Lions brought in Pro Bowler DJ Chark, who admittedly didn’t have a good 2021 but has shown quality in the past, specifically in 2019 when he had eight touchdowns and 1,008 receiving yards. If the Lions can add that much production to their offense, they could be a huge offensive force in the NFC.

The big question for the Lions is whether their young defense can be better than it was in 2021. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the second overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Michigan, looked exceptional in training camp.

Hutchinson currently holds the best odds to be NFL defensive rookie of the year at +550.

The Lions might be the sneaky pick to finish second in this division after the Packers.

Chicago Bears (+1600)

Expectations are low for the Chicago Bears. Quarterback Justin Fields enters the second year of his NFL career. For the Bears to have any success this year, they’ll need more from their young QB. His below-average 58.9 percent completion rate and his poor 3.7 percent interception rate need to change if the Bears are to improve on their 6-11 record from last year.

But even if Fields takes a step up, it might not be enough because the Bears haven’t made any significant upgrades to their squad. They had arguably the worst receiving corps in 2021 and that could be the case again in 2022.

So unless Fields and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor can make lemonade out of lemons, the Bears are likely to sit at the bottom of their division as their +1600 odds to win the NFC North suggest.

Chicago has the sixth-best odds to go winless this year at +5000. A winning $100 bet for the Bears to sink the 2022 season would return a $5,000 profit.

NFC North Last 10 Winners

It’s basically been a one-way street in the NFC North. On the shoulders of Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers have dominated this division. Can they make it four division wins in a row by taking the NFC North in 2022?

For all their dominance in this division over the past decade, the Packers haven’t been able to get beyond the NFC championship game.