2024-25 NFL NFC North Odds and Predictions

The NFC North was well represented in the Playoffs last year as both the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers made the postseason. The Lions were viewed as an NFL team on the rise, but the Packers exceeded expectations as quarterback Jordan Love surprised even his harshest critics. 

The Lions made it to the NFC Championship game last year and, on paper, they appear to be even better heading into this season. In fact, they’re one of the odds-on favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 59. 

The Packers also fell short in their postseason aspirations but they look poised to make another playoff-run this year. With that said, the Chicago Bears might be the most exciting NFL team for the upcoming 2024-25 season. 

Rookie QB Caleb Williams, along with numerous key additions to the roster, have fans and pundits buzzing over Chicago’s postseason chances. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Vikings have a lot of questions to answer and most NFL odds point towards a subpar season for the “purple people eaters.”

Let’s take a look at the latest NFC North odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites, and make our 2024-25 NFC North Division predictions.

NFC North Division

2024 Detroit Lions Season Preview

The Detroit Lions had a season of highlights last year, and it was about time. They won their first division championship in 30 years and came incredibly close to punching their ticket to the Super Bowl for the first time ever.

Those who were not familiar with Dan Campbell discovered his level of intensity two years ago when the team was the subject of HBO’s Hard Knocks documentary series. Campbell had been an assistant coach in various spots in the NFL and had briefly served as an interim coach for the AFC East Miami Dolphins. He whipped the team up to a frenzy for a couple of weeks, but then things fizzled out.

Will there be a point when most people will say that Detroit got the better of the trade that brought Jared Goff from the Rams for Matthew Stafford? Are we at that point already? Goff was second in the NFL in passing yards last year with 4575, and he had almost 300 more yards on play-action passes than any other quarterback.

Detroit complements that well with a two-headed ground attack that truly asserts itself. David Montgomery (1015 yards, 4.6 ypc) and Jahmyr Gibbs (945 yards, 5.2 ypc) are about as dynamic a backfield duo as you’ll see in the NFL. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown has caught 225 passes for almost 3300 yards over the last two seasons, but the Lions certainly could do with a little more depth in the wide receiver corps.

The Lions have to improve their defense against the pass. They were 31^st in the league in passing yards allowed per game and 30^th in yards allowed per attempt (7.4). It is for this reason that they went after cornerbacks with their first two draft selections: Terrion Arnold of Alabama and Ennis Rakestraw of Missouri. They also got another corner, Carlton Davis, who came in a trade with Tampa Bay.

And don’t forget that Emmanuel Moseley, who played just one game in 2023, because of a knee injury, is coming back. They hope that this at least balances the losses of corner Cameron Sutton and safety CJ Gardner-Johnson. And they hope to have more strength on the defensive line with the arrivals of DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport.

From top to bottom, there’s no better team in this division.

2024-25 Detroit Lions Win Total 

• Over 10.5 (-130)
• Under 10.5 (+100)

After going 12-5 last year, it’s a bit surprising that oddsmakers have the O/U at 10.5 wins for the Lions. Detroit will be one of the best teams in the NFC as they’ve retooled their defense to shore up the only weakness from last year. 

The Lions enter the season with the 11^th toughest schedule (.509) and the schedule makers didn’t do them any favors with a Week 5 Bye. Basically, they play for a month and then have a week off. It’s going to be a long season after that Bye. 

With that said, the Lions went 4-2 in the NFC North last year and I expect them to hit that mark this year, if not better. Their toughest stretch is the final five weeks of the season. If the Lions can get through it with a 3-2 mark or better, then they’re well on their way to at least 12 wins on the year. 

Detroit plays the Packers, Bills, Bears, 49ers and Vikings to close out the season. Fortunately, the Packers and Bills are home games along with the regular season finale against the Vikings. 

I like this Detroit squad and I believe their defensive improvements will take this team to another 12-5 season or possibly even a 13-4 mark. 

Bet: Over 10.5 (-130)

2024-25 Detroit Lions Record After 5 Games

• 3 Wins (+170)
• 2 Wins (+250)
• 4 Wins (+300)
• 1 Win (+600)
• 5 Wins (+600)
• 0 Wins (+10000)

As mentioned, the Lions have a Week 5 Bye. However, prior to the week off, they play the Rams, Buccaneers, Cardinals and Seahawks. Only the Cardinals game is on the road. So, that’s three home games in September. After the Bye Week, the Lions play at Dallas. With that extra week off to rest and prepare, I see Detroit strutting into AT&T Stadium and outplaying the Cowboys. 

Call me crazy, but the Lions could easily go 5-0 to start the season. In fact, they could be 8-0 heading into a Week 9 matchup at Green Bay. A 4-1 mark is probably the safe pick for this NFL prop bet, but I’m going to be aggressive like Coach Campbell and take the 5-win option for this wager. 

NFL Bet: 5 Wins (+600)

Will The Detroit Lions Make The 2024-25 NFL Playoffs?

• Yes (-290)
• No (+220)

At this point, you would have to be crazy to think that the Lions aren’t making the Playoffs. That offense will be one of the best in the NFC and the additions on defense should have the Motor City humming all year long. There’s no value for this prop bet, but take the “Yes” option as Detroit will make the postseason this year. 

Bet: Yes (-290)

2024 Green Bay Packers Season Preview

There’s a difference between this year’s Green Bay Packers team and last year’s. That is to say, this year’s team goes into the season with some lofty expectations.

Prior to last season – and let’s be honest – everyone was wondering whether Jordan Love was going to be able to successfully take the reins from Aaron Rodgers, who had been traded to the New York Jets. Love was being groomed for the eventuality of this happening, and the Pack thought enough of him to make him a first-round draft pick. But truth be told, Love had often looked like a deer in the headlights in those instances in which he had been given playing time. 

Well, when the ball was finally in his hands, he not only showed a lot of growth, he came on like a freight train as the season progressed. They rambled to six victories in their last eight games and secured a Wild Card spot with a 9-8 record. 

Over that eight-game stretch, the third-year man out of Utah State threw 18 TD passes with only one interception and registered seven QB ratings over 100. He finished the regular season with 4159 yards and 32 touchdowns.

In the Wild Card Round, the Packers got off to a 27-0 lead in Dallas before cruising to a 48-32 victory. The next week, they took a seven-point lead into the final quarter against San Francisco but allowed the Niners to score two TDs to overtake them. All in all, it was an extremely successful season. 

This yar, the Packers have a new front-runner to chase in the Detroit Lions. And if Caleb Williams proves to be for real, the Chicago Bears might be breathing down their neck as well. 

Matt LaFleur enters his sixth season as head coach. When he first came on board to replace Mike McCarthy, someone told Rodgers that he would love his system. Love has apparently gotten very used to it by now. 

The Packers had become used to a nice running back duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Jones was the more dangerous of the two but battled injuries last season. He’s departed, and Dillon still appears on the depth chart.

But Josh Jacobs, former running back for the Las Vegas Raiders of the AFC West, has been signed to a four-year free-agent deal. In 2022, Jacobs led the NFL with 1,653 yards. Last season, he had less than half that much and only 3.5 yards per carry with Las Vegas. Marshawn Lloyd was drafted out of USC and will probably play a role in the backfield almost immediately.

There is some shuffling around on the offensive line, as guard Jon Runyan is gone and tackle David Bakhtiari has retired. The Packers really like Zach Tom to play somewhere along the line, and we’ll see what they do with first-round pick Jordan Morgan. 

If anything is going to hold Green Bay back, it’s their defense. They allowed 6.7 yards per pass attempt in 2023, ranking 22^nd in the league. And they yielded 4.5 yards a carry; LaFleur’s teams have usually had a poor record of stopping the run.

2024-25 Green Bay Packers Win Total 

• Over 9.5 (-135)
• Under 9.5 (+105)

Last year, the Packers finished 9-8 on the season. This year, the come into the 2024-25 NFL season with the 4^th toughest schedule (.526). Fortunately, they have a Bye in Week 10 as this will be a great asset for helping the Packers finish the season on another run like last year.

In fact, their final eight games could see Green Bay produce a 6-2 or 7-1 record as they play the Bears, 49ers and Dolphins at home, the Lions, Seahawks, Saints, Vikings and Bears again. The Packers could easily win their last four games and really punctuate another strong finish to the year. 

The first half of the year is very manageable as well. They open in Brazil against the Eagles, so neither team has the advantage. However, with games against the Colts, Titans, Vikings, Cardinals and Jaguars before the Bye Week, Green Bay could be looking at a 5-4 or 6-3 record heading into the off week. 

The defense will have to improve for this team to be a true NFC contender, but they should win at least 10 games on the year and make another Playoff appearance. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Green Bay surpass their 2023-24 record by at least two wins. 

Bet: Over 9.5 (-135)

2024-25 Green Bay Packers Record After 5 Games

• 3 Wins (+180)
• 2 Wins (+200)
• 4 Wins (+350)
• 1 Win (+450)
• 5 Wins (+1500)
• 0 Wins (+2200)

As mentioned, the Packers open the season in Brazil against the Eagles. They follow that up with two games against the AFC South’s Colts and Titans, the Vikings and Rams. On paper, this looks like a 3-2 or 4-1 start to the season. That first game is a coin-flip considering the travel and neutral site for the two NFC Playoff hopefuls. 

I think Green Bay steamrolls Indy, Tennessee and Minnesota over that three-game stretch, but could potentially run into problems against the Rams on the road. I was a little aggressive with the Lions five-game record prop bet, but this one I’m going to play it safe. Let’s take the Packers to go 3-2 over the first five weeks of the season. 

Bet: 3 Wins (+180)

Will The Green Bay Packers Make The 2024-25 NFL Playoffs?

• Yes (-170)
• No (+140)

The only thing that stands in the way of Green Bay making the Playoffs this year, is themselves. This team has the talent to win double-digit games and contend for the NFC North division title. At the very least, they should be a Wild Card team. In fact, other than the NFC West Rams and the NFC East Cowboys, I don’t see any other team that can compete with the Packers for a Wild Card spot.

Also, don’t be surprised if Jordan Love takes another big step and finishes as a Top-10 quarterback this year. He has the weapons, confidence and skills to elevate his game and the team as a whole. 

Bet: Yes (-170)

2024 Chicago Bears Season Preview

The Chicago Bears got into that difficult situation where they had to make a decision about their quarterback plans. Justin Fields was the “quarterback of the future” for the moment, having been a first-round draft choice. And he was quite nimble, rushing for over 1000 yards in the 2022 season. But he was never very fluid as a passer. After three years, he had 40 TDs to 30 interceptions. 

It could be argued that he was not prepared to come in and read NFL defenses. And Chicago had to decide for itself whether they wanted to move forward with him or take advantage of the draft pick they had inherited from the Carolina Panthers when they dealt their own #1 pick from the 2023 Draft. 

Basically, it came down to whether they were going to roll the dice with Fields or select Caleb Williams who was a Heisman Trophy winner and consensus #1 prospect. And, as everyone knows by now, the Bears decided to trade Fields to the AFC North’s Pittsburgh Steelers and draft Williams with the first overall selection.

Williams does not appear to be the kind of quarterback who’s going to take off and run like Fields. He totaled only 524 yards rushing in his two years at USC. Yet, he was dangerous in the red zone, with 21 touchdowns on the ground as a Trojan. Will he step right in and take over games like CJ Stroud did in Houston? That would be a tall order, but general manager Ryan Poles has put his best foot forward to offer him some help.

One can easily see that the wide receiver group has been upgraded, as Keenan Allen came via trade with the Chargers and it only cost them a fourth-round draft choice. The Bears then picked Rome Odunze, one of the best available wide receivers, in the first round along with Williams. 

Combine those two receivers with the returning DJ Moore, and you have a very formidable group. Gerald Everett joins Cole Kmet at tight end, which gives them two playmakers at that position as well.  

The Bears were second in the NFL in rushing yards last season, and they brought D’Andre Swift on board. What we’re trying to say is that Chicago will be a dangerous offense that could result in pushing for a Playoff spot this year. 

2024-25 Chicago Bears Win Total 

• Over 8.5 (-160) 
• Under 8.5 (+130)

The Bears finished last year going 7-10 and prompting the front office to make some major changes. As mentioned above, Chicago drafted a new franchise quarterback and added numerous weapons to make this a very exciting offense. They also have the luxury of the 29^th toughest schedule (.467). In fact, only the Falcons and Saints have easier schedules on paper. 

Chicago’s defense should be in the middle of the pack this year. So, this team could end up making some noise in the NFC North and the conference as a whole. A Week 7 Bye will give the Bears time to make adjustments if things don’t go well over the first six weeks of the season. 

In fact, I really like their stretch of games coming out of the Bye Week as they play the Commanders, Cardinals, Patriots, Packers and Vikings. I could see a 4-1 stretch that boosts this team’s record and confidence. Can they pick up five more wins to hit this Over? I believe they can. Let’s drink the Williams Kool-Aid and take the Over 8.5 wins for Chicago.

Bet: Over 8.5 wins (-160)

2024-25 Chicago Bears Record After 5 Games

• 3 Wins (+210)
• 4 Wins (+225)
• 5 Wins (+350)
• 2 Wins (+375)
• 1 Win (+900)
• 0 Wins (+2500)

Chicago opens the season at home against the Titans before two road games at Houston and Indianapolis. They then return home for two games against the Rams and Panthers. A Week 6 matchup will see them head to London to play the Jaguars. Fortunately, this prop bet only requires us to examine the first five weeks because Jacksonville is a beast in London. 

With that said, I like the Bears to start off the season on the right foot, but things could be a little slow for Williams and the offense when playing on the road. I think the safe play here is to take the Bears to go 2-3 over the first five games as they lose to the Texans, Colts and Rams. 

Bet: 2 Wins (+375)

Will The Chicago Bears Make The 2024-25 NFL Playoffs?

• Yes (-115)
• No (-105)

It’s nice to see that this prop bet provides value with both options. With that in mind, I’m leaning towards Chicago missing the Playoffs this year. For the Bears to make the postseason, they will need to be one of the three teams to clinch a Wild Card spot because I don’t see this squad winning the NFC North. 

Right now, I think those three Wild Card spots go to the Packers, Rams and Cowboys. Although Chicago will show a great deal of improvement and bring excitement back to the Windy City, they will fall short of the postseason by a game or two. It’s a shame that the NFC South has to send a team to the Playoffs, because I would rather see the Bears instead.

Bet: No (-105)

2024 Minnesota Vikings Season Preview

I think the general consensus around the Minnesota Vikings is the they’re in a rebuild mode. They should’ve given Kirk Cousins another monster contract, but they decided to let him walk. And that’s going to be a costly mistake for the next year or two.  

As most of you probably know, Cousins was having another solid statistical season when he went down with an Achilles injury, which then sent the Vikings into an adventure, to say the least. Joshua Dobbs came in on concise notice and, for a time, achieved folk hero status. But that didn’t last. The team has four different starting quarterbacks (Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens are included here) and finished 7-10.

Minnesota went into the draft without anyone who could be counted on behind center. Sam Darnold was first on the depth chart, but that brought nothing but laughs from everyone. The Vikings traded their 11^th overall pick in the NFL Draft to the Jets to move up to #10, where they selected Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy who had just won the College Football Championship.  

When McCarthy eventually makes it into the lineup, he won’t be alone. Justin Jefferson is one of the best wide receivers in the business, and he’s being paid like it. The team just inked him to the most lucrative deal for a non-quarterback in the history of the league. Jordan Addison, the former Biletnikoff Award winner, had 911 yards as a rookie.

TJ Hockenson ranks among the best tight ends, and they certainly hope he’ll recover from a knee injury in time to participate at some point this season. 

Minnesota was way down the list in terms of total rushing, and they’ve set out to change that with the acquisition of Aaron Jones, who did not get the offer he was looking for out of Green Bay. So, he decided to leave the Packers but stay in the division to play Green Bay twice a year. Jones, if he stays healthy, is the punishing infantryman the team has been missing. 

Defensively, this team did a decent job stopping the run (3.8 ypc allowed), but the furious pass rush of Danielle Hunter and his 16.5 sacks (now in Houston) will be missed.

2024-25 Minnesota Vikings Win Total 

• Over 6.5 (-150)
• Under 6.5 (+120)

The Vikings enter the season with the 16^th toughest schedule (.502). Unfortunately, they have far too many questions to answer and hurdles to overcome before they can contend in their division, let alone the NFC Conference. 

The have a brutal slate of games to open the season, which we will dive deeper into with the next NFL prop bet. But, spoiler, they won’t win any of those games. 

In reality, I have a hard time seeing how the Vikings will win six games this year. Last season, they finished 7-10 with a quarterback carousel. This year, all the teams in the NFC North have improved except for the Vikings. Combine that with subpar quarterback play, a pass rush that will take a step back, and playing most of the year without Hockenson, you have a recipe for five wins or less. 

The oddsmakers must be Vikings fans because +120 odds for Under 6.5 wins, for this roster in a very competitive division, is just silly. 

Bet: Under 6.5 wins (+120)

2024-25 Minnesota Vikings Record After 5 Games

• 2 Wins (+190)
• 1 Win (+210)
• 3 Wins (+300)
• 0 Wins (+550)
• 4 Wins (+800)
• 5 Wins (+4000)

The Vikings open the season with games at the Giants before returning home to play the 49ers and Texans. They will then head out to Green Bay before making a trip to the UK in Week 5 to play the Jets. Minnesota will celebrate their abysmal start to the season with a Week 6 Bye. 

The Vikings could have a chance at New York in the first week, but it’s hard to imagine that Darnold or McCarthy will do enough to overcome a much-improved Giants defense. I see no chance of Minnesota winning any of their next four games. 

Vikings fans, this is going to be a tough year. At least Jefferson can wipe his tears away with the stacks of cash he got this offseason. I’m picking Minnesota to start off the year going 0-5 as they head into their Bye Week. 

Bet: 0 Wins (+550)

Will The Minnesota Vikings Make The 2024-25 NFL Playoffs?

• Yes (+290)
• No (-390)

Minnesota’s odds to miss the Playoffs is one of the biggest in the NFL. Only the Cardinals, Giants, Panthers and Commanders are worse in the NFC. The Patriots and Titans have longer odds in the AFC. 

Unfortunately, Minnesota’s season will be done before Thanksgiving as they stroll into the holiday stuffed with losses. This team could easily have double-digit losses by Turkey Day. At best, they’re 2-9 or 3-8. 

Bet: No (-390)

NFC North Division Odds

• Detroit Lions +145
• Green Bay Packers +200
• Chicago Bears +300
• Minnesota Vikings +850

Since the 2002 NFL realignment, the Vikings have won the NFC North five times. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a few years before they even have a chance at their sixth divisional crown. The Bears have won the division four times, with their last title coming in 2018. Although they’re a lot closer to winning the NFC North than the Vikings are, Chicago is still a year away from making the postseason. 

The Packers have claimed 12 NFC North crowns, which is by far the most of any team in the division. However, most of that was done with Aaron Rodgers leading the charge. And, I don’t see this team beating out the Lions this year. 

Detroit won their first NFC North title last season and I see them winning it for a second straight year. This team is loaded on both sides of the ball and they have the best head coach in the division. The Packers will make it a close race, but the Lions will scratch and claw their way to the Division title and a home game in the first round of the Playoffs.

NFL Bet: Detroit Lions +145

NFC North Exact Order Of The Division

If you have read the entire NFC North preview up to this point, I’ve made it pretty clear how this division is going to shake out. The Vikings will easily finish last in the NFC North and could possibly be a Top 5 draft team next year. The Bears will fall short of the postseason and finish third in the division. 

The Packers and Lions will battle for the NFC North title, but Detroit should pull away late in the year to win the division by a game or two. Yes, it will be a closer divisional battle than it was last year, but this division is Detroit’s to lose. 

Bet: Lions 1st (+145), Packers 2nd (+190), Bears 3rd (+200), Vikings 4th (-160)

NFC North Division Top 2 Finishing Position

• Detroit Lions & Green Bay Packers (+130)
• Detroit Lions & Chicago Bears (+240)
• Chicago Bears & Green Bay Packers (+400)
• Detroit Lions & Minnesota Vikings (+650)
• Green Bay Packers & Minnesota Vikings (+1000)
• Chicago Bears & Minnesota Vikings (+1600)

This NFL prop bet is about as straight forward as it can get. There’s zero reason to take any risks on this divisional wager. The Lions and Packers are clearly the two best teams in the NFC North. Both squads should make the Playoffs again, and both should contend for the divisional crown. I give the edge to the Lions on winning the NFC North, but this prop is all about which two teams are at the top.  

Bet: Detroit Lions & Green Bay Packers (+130)