The NFC North race is looking like a one-team show with the Green Bay Packers looking for their ninth division title in the last 12 seasons.
The Packers (-200) are once again the heavy favorites to win the division followed by the Minnesota Vikings at +275 according to the sportsbook.
There will be some talented rookies who could shake things up in a division that has been lacking in drama in recent years.
Even with Green Bay trading away Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams, the NFL betting lines have the Packers tied for the fourth-best odds to win the Super Bowl.
Green Bay Packers
- 2021 record: 13-4 (lost to Kansas City in division playoffs)
- Odds to win the division: -200
- Regular season win total: 11 (Over -120, Under -110)
- Award candidates: Aaron Rodgers, +900 Regular Season MVP; Quay Walker, +900 Defensive Rookie of the Year; Christian Watson, +900 Offensive Rookie of the Year; Devonte Wyatt, +2500 Defensive Rookie of the Year; Jaire Alexander, +6600 Defensive Player of the Year; Kingsley Enagbare, +7500 Defensive Rookie of the Year; Rashan Gary, +8000 Defensive Player of the Year.
The Packers will look different without Davante Adams on the receiving end of passes from Rodgers. Nobody is expecting second-round pick Christian Watson to replace Adams but he is going to have a significant role in the offense. A.J. Dillon could be on the verge of moving past Aaron Jones as the top running back.
▪️ The standard at WR
▪️ Changes on special teams
▪️ Double-trouble in the backfield3️⃣ Things from OTAs: Players’ Edition ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/6qVH4c0URq
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 1, 2022
The Packers let Za’Darius Smith go. The linebacker had 26 sacks during the 2020 and 2021 seasons before being limited to one game a season ago. First-round picks Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt should give the defense a couple more playmakers. It doesn’t hurt that they were members of Georgia’s national championship team as they bring a winning approach to Titletown.
There’s no reason to think that the Packers won’t top the expected win total of 11 games and win the division title for a fourth season in a row.
Those who make NFL predictions will have Green Bay in title contention yet again.
Can Rodgers and the Packers take that next step in the postseason?
Minnesota Vikings
- 2021 record: 8-9
- Odds to win the division: +275
- Regular season win total: 8½ (Over -150, Under +120)
- Award candidates: Andrew Booth, +2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year; Danielle Hunter, +3000 Defensive Player of the Year; Lewis Cine, +3300 Defensive Rookie of the Year; Kirk Cousins, +4000 Regular Season MVP; Brian Asamoah, +5000 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
It was a pretty interesting draft for the Vikings who traded down twice to allow the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers to select potential game-breaking receivers. Minnesota did pick Booth and Cine to help the secondary and with the new receiving options within the division, that secondary will need to be better.
A team with Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson is going to be fine offensively. Minnesota was last in the NFC in total defense so that is a concern.
The Vikings have a new head coach (Kevin O’Connell) and a new general manager (Kwesi Adof-Mensah). Still, there is a similar outlook as the Vikings should be in the thick of the playoff race but have some work to do to provide a threat to Green Bay atop the division or to the other title contenders in the NFC.
Chicago Bears
- 2021 record: 6-11
- Odds to win the division: +900
- Regular season win total: 6½ (Over -105, Under -125)
- Award candidate: Roquan Smith, +5000 Defensive Player of the Year.
The time is now for second-year quarterback Justin Fields.
Other than Darnell Mooney, there are plenty of question marks at the receiver position. Equanimeous St. Brown comes in from Green Bay while speedy Velus Jones was taken in the third round.
The running game seems to be in good shape with the return of David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. However, trading away Khalil Mack is not the best way to improve the defense. On the surface, this looks to be a team not as talented following the departures of their most disruptive defensive play (Mack) and most gifted receiver (Allen Robinson).
With so many young and unproven players, it is hard to predict if the Bears will be able to top the projected win total of 6½. It will be a tough call for those who bet online to project how the 2022 season will unfold for the Bears.
Detroit Lions
- 2021 record: 3-13-1
- Odds to win the division: +1000
- Regular season win total: 6 (Over -115, Under -115)
- Award candidates: Aidan Hutchinson, +450 Defensive Rookie of the Year; Jameson Williams, +1100 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Last year. the Lions added a key piece to the offense with the selection of offensive tackle Penei Sewell. Now Detroit brings in a talented pass rusher in Aidan Hutchinson as they continue to build this team from the inside out.
The trade up to get former Alabama receiver Jameson Williams could be a huge move. He will combine with last year’s rookie sensation Amon-Ra St. Brown and talented tight end T.J. Hockenson to give Detroit the makings of a solid passing offense especially with D.J. Chark coming over from Jacksonville.
If D’Andre Swift can stay healthy, they will have the running game as well. Detroit gave up more points than any other team in the NFC in 2021. Six of Detroit’s eight draft picks came on the defensive side of the ball and that is a good start but there is still plenty of work to do.
