The Detroit Lions have been the class of the NFC North division the last two years, winning first place in both 2023 and 2024. They remain locked and loaded for a Super Bowl run, and will once again be the favorites to claim the division crown.

Detroit is expected to do much more than that, as they reached the NFC Championship two years ago, and had the #1 seed in the NFC last season. Of course, teams do regress all the time, so anyone looking to bet on who will win the NFC North in 2025 has to turn over every stone.

The Detroit Lions dominated the NFC North last year, as they didn’t lose a single game in the division. The only team that held a candle to them was the Minnesota Vikings, but Detroit beat them both times to win the division.

The Green Bay Packers finished third in the division with a solid 11-6 overall record, but they were abysmal within the NFC North. The Packers went 0-4 against the Lions and Vikings and their lone win inside the division came against the lowly Chicago Bears.

Chicago has a ton of reason to be excited about the 2025 season, but they remain a young and unproven bunch. One look at last year’s record shows that, as they were as bad as Green Bay within the division and mustered just five wins all season.

Considering all options is NFL betting 101, so you definitely have to consider why or how the other three teams in this division might stage the upset. I’ll walk you through each team’s NFC North odds this year, touch on some other prop bets for the division, take a look at what the best handicappers are saying, and offer my final predictions.

What Teams Are In The NFC North?

The following four NFL teams are in the NFC North:

• Chicago Bears: 11 division titles, last won in 2018
• Detroit Lions: 5 division titles, last won in 2024
• Green Bay Packers: 17 division titles, last won in 2021
• Minnesota Vikings: 21 division titles, last won in 2022

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NFC North Division

2025 Detroit Lions Season Preview

• 2024-25 Offense: 33.1 ppg (1), 415.7 ypg (2), 67.95% RZ TDs (3)
• 2024-25 Defense: 21.5 ppg (11), 350.1 ypg (26), 1.3 TO (11)

The Detroit Lions, by all accounts, were the best team in pro football a year ago. They didn’t end the season that way, but they went 15-2 during the regular season and locked up the #1 seed in the NFC.

Detroit ultimately got upset at home by the Washington Commanders, but all season long they were a dominant offensive team with an opportunistic defense. None of that really changes going into 2025, as they still have an explosive offense with elite playmakers such as Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams, while a shaky defense could see improvement with the return of a healthy Aiden Hutchinson.

Of course, the Lions do have a downside. Natural regression is possible after an amazing season ending with a thud, plus the team has to combat the departures of center Frank Ragnow, as well as their offensive and defensive coordinators.

Detroit Lions Win Total 

• Over 10.5 (+120)
• Under 10.5 (-150)

Detroit’s over/under for wins is set at 10.5, which feels pretty fair considering they won 15 games last year. I do think they’ll take a mild step back, but this team remains loaded with offensive talent, and they’re one of the most aggressive teams in the NFL.

The Lions will have to figure out how to manage with new coordinators calling the shots and losing star center Frank Ragnow isn’t nothing. That said, they’ve been a top-three team in each of the past two years and where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Look for Detroit to struggle a bit more than we’ve grown accustomed to seeing, but I think an 11-win season is still very much in play. It’s only made more appealing by the sweet +120 price tag.

Bet: Over 10.5 (+120)

Will The Detroit Lions Make The 2025-26 NFL Playoffs?

• Yes (-200)
• No (+160)

It’s admittedly a tad unsettling to see the prices so tight for Detroit’s playoff changes in 2025, but even the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles are priced at -400. If anything, though, I love this price, as the Lions remain one of the best teams in pro football, and a ton would need to go wrong for this to fully miss the playoffs.

Detroit is a steal at their -200 price. Even if you’re not with me in thinking they’re going to win 11 games and/or probably win the NFC North crown for a third consecutive season, they’re still a great bet to be one of seven NFC playoff teams.

Bet: Yes (-200)

2025 Minnesota Vikings Season Preview

• 2024-25 Offense: 24.5 ppg (9), 342.6 ypg (12), 54.84% RZ TDs (19)
• 2024-25 Defense: 19.9 ppg (4), 333 ypg (13), 1.8 TO (2)

The Minnesota Vikings weren’t quite as good as the Lions in 2024, and yet they were right there with a chance to steal the division in the end. Minnesota and co. crumbled under the bright lights in week 18, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this is still a potential title contender.

Of course, that’s if the team can make a seamless transition from Sam Darnold to J.J. McCarthy. Moving on from Kirk Cousins went off without a hitch, but can Minnesota accomplish the same difficult task once again in 2025? That will undeniably be the deciding factor in how much success this team enjoys this season.

Justin Jefferson heads a talented offense with brilliant coaching, while the defense has serious bite. But it all may be moot if McCarthy can’t deliver in what amounts to his first year on the job.

Minnesota Vikings Win Total 

• Over 8.5 (-165)
• Under 8.5 (+135)

This is a tough one to predict, as the top NFL sportsbooks clearly see the Vikings as a team set for regression, but the trick is figuring out how big of a step back they actually take.

Ultimately, I will chase the value with the under. Minnesota could still enjoy a relatively successful season if they win eight games, and considering it’ll be McCarthy’s first rodeo, I don’t think many will sneeze at it too much.

Minnesota may very well have a championship level defense and a roster with title aspirations, but breaking in a first-year passer is no small feat. The Vikings will have their struggles, and when you factor in a brutal NFC North, taking the value and betting on the Under makes a lot of sense.

Bet: Under 8.5 (+135)

Will The Minnesota Vikings Make The 2025-26 NFL Playoffs?

• Yes (-115)
• No (-115)

If I hadn’t yet convinced you that nobody knows what to make of the 2025 Vikings, then their playoff odds should do the trick. They are a literal toss-up, as this simply is not going to be the same team we saw a season ago.

Losing both Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold in successive seasons is some pretty wild turnover, while it’s arguable that McCarthy could ball out and things may still not go Minnesota’s way. My guess is he has struggles throughout the year and Minnesota gets involved in some shootouts they come out on the wrong side of.

And more importantly, they’re at best the third team to consider to win the division, behind the Lions and Packers. Heck, Chicago may even be ready for a jump. Due to all of that, I don’t mind betting on what I expect to be a seven or eight-win Vikings team to miss the playoffs.

Bet: No (-115)

2025 Green Bay Packers Season Preview

• 2024-25 Offense: 26.1 ppg (8), 366.7 ypg (7), 58.33% RZ TDs (10)
• 2024-25 Defense: 20 ppg (5), 313.2 ypg (4), 1.7 TO (6)

Don’t look now, but the Green Bay Packers have a defense. The green and gold went out of their way to finally rectify their most glaring hole, hiring a new defensive coordinator and splurging in the draft and free agency. The end result was a top-5 scoring defense, as well as a unit that was no stranger to registering some takeaways.

The Packers could still stand to see improvement in sack rate and trading away top cover man Jaire Alexander created a hole in the secondary, but it appears their defense is legit. This is great news, as the offense got even better in Jordan Love’s second full season.

Love dealt with injuries, but he showed enough that makes you think Green Bay could make another huge leap in 2025. Adding explosive wide receiver Matthew Golden in this year’s draft could be the icing on the cake. Green Bay still operates out of a tough division, but perhaps they’re inching closer to reclaiming it.

Green Bay Packers Win Total 

• Over 9.5 (-130)
• Under 9.5 (+100)

Unless you think the Packers are due for a big step backward, this feels like an easy bet to make. Green Bay won nine games to sneak into the playoffs two years ago, and they bumped it up to 11 wins last year.

Green Bay’s biggest issue was their own division. They played the top teams relatively well, but they lost a few shootouts to the Lions and Vikings and ultimately went just 1-5 within the NFC North. Head coach Matt LaFleur won’t accept that type of performance again, so you better believe the big message all off-season was being significantly better against their divisional foes.

I expect the Packers to answer the call. That’s going to lead to a better showing in the NFC North, and if that is the case, another 10+ win season should be in play. After all, they just won 11 games despite only winning one NFC North showdown in 2024.

Bet: Over 9.5 (-130)

Will The Green Bay Packers Make The 2025-26 NFL Playoffs?

• Yes (-140)
• No (+110)

The odds for the Packers to make the playoffs are pretty fair. Truth be told, they’ve been the last team into the bracket in each of the past two seasons, so I would understand if non-Packers fans didn’t have a ton of confidence that they made it three in a row.

Perhaps that’s one reason I simply expect them to elevate their game, improve within the NFC North, and chase another 10+ win season; because they know simply being good enough isn’t going to guarantee them a thing.

If you win 11 games and barely make the playoffs, that means you need to strive to be even better. However, with the rest of their division facing personal battles and possibly taking mild steps back, now is the time for Green Bay to strike.

I like their chances to steal the division, but even if they don’t, 10+ wins and a return to the playoffs seems pretty likely. Their -140 odds to do so are fairly welcoming, too.

Bet: Yes (-140)

2025 Chicago Bears Season Preview

• 2024-25 Offense: 18.2 ppg (28), 283.5 ypg (32), 62.16% RZ TDs (7)
• 2024-25 Defense: 21.8 ppg (14), 354.2 ypg (27), 1.4 TO (9)

Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was waiting for the perfect opportunity to take on his first head coaching gig. All I have to say is, “Be careful what you wish for”. Truth be told, Johnson is a brilliant offensive mind, and he does walk into a situation where he’s set up for success.

In theory, second-year quarterback and last year’s #1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams gives Johnson a legit specimen to go to war with. The Chicago Bears are loaded with explosive offensive talent, too, while a solid and improving defense isn’t going to lose this team many games.

They weren’t a team to fear last year, but that’s to be expected with a first-year quarterback and suspect coaching. With Williams more experience and Johnson taking over, Chicago may have legitimate life for the first time in over a decade.

Chicago Bears Win Total 

• Over 8.5 (+125)
• Under 8.5 (-155)

While Johnson’s impact will soon be felt – and Williams is likely going to be a superstar – it may be a slow burn before we truly see it all come together. Chicago still has to emerge from the cellar of the NFC North, while the NFC as a whole won’t be easy to navigate.

There’s an outside chance the Bears surprise and sneak into the playoffs, but my guess is more struggles are on their way before Chicago dips their toe back into the playoff picture. Due to that, a seven or eight win season is a better bet.

And hey, that may not be what Bears fans want or even expect, but it’d represent progress from what we saw out of this team (5 wins) in 2024.

Bet: Under 8.5 (-155)

Will The Chicago Bears Make The 2025-26 NFL Playoffs?

• Yes (+185)
• No (-225)

Chicago is a dangerous team, to be sure. Ben Johnson is going to dial up some zany plays, while he is going to routinely put the uber-talented Caleb Williams in a position to succeed. If Williams can avoid back-breaking mistakes and hit on his deep balls, a maturing defense might be able to do enough to limp this squad over the hump.

Of course, I still put the Lions and Packers well ahead of the Bears, and without any proof of what everyone has accomplished yet this off-season, it’s hard not to lean toward the Vikings, too.

If that all holds true, the Bears are probably looking at 7-8 wins and another fourth place finish. Naturally, that won’t be good enough to make the playoffs. Chicago will be better and they’re getting close to an explosion. I just don’t think it’s coming in 2025.

Bet: No (-225)

NFC North Division Odds

• Detroit Lions (+150)
• Green Bay Packers (+260)
• Minnesota Vikings (+265)
• Chicago Bears (+550)

Is it lazy or the safe play to just bet on the Lions to win the NFC North again? Maybe, but considering their +150 price tag, it also feels like one of the best NFL picks to make going into 2025.

Detroit definitely has some red flags. Losing both of your top coordinators and the guy calling the shots in the middle of your o-line could be damaging. However, Philly lost Jason Kelce going into 2024 and went on to win the Super Bowl.

Green Bay will be better and will challenge for first place. Minnesota should take a step back, and Chicago is a total wild card. But all roads lead to the Lions doing what they do best – persevere and outlast the competition.

Bet: Detroit Lions (+150)

NFC North Exact Order Of The Division

Whether you  bet on who will win the NFC North division this year or not, you can try gaining some additional edge by wagering on exact finishes within the standings.

How can you gain value here? Well, for instance, if you don’t think the Lions will win the division, but aren’t confident in who will best them in 2025, you could simply bet on them to finish second or third. In fact, if you end up being correct, you’d move from Detroit’s +150 price to finish first and pick up +250 or even +310 odds, assuming they finish second or third.

As far as trying to predict the exact order, my early prediction is that the Lions hold onto first place again, followed by the Packers (+250), Vikings (+260), and the Bears (+575) in last place once again.

Bet: Lions 1st (+145), Packers 2nd (+250), Vikings 3rd (+260), Bears 4th (+575)

NFC North Division Top 2 Finishing Position

• Detroit Lions & Green Bay Packers (+190)
• Detroit Lions & Minnesota Vikings (+325)
• Detroit Lions & Chicago Bears (+500)
• Green Bay Packers & Minnesota Vikings (+550)
• Green Bay Packers & Chicago Bears (+600)
• Chicago Bears & Minnesota Vikings (+1000)

In addition to betting on the 2025 NFC North division winner, you can bet on the top two finishers in the standings together. It’s definitely a risky bet, as there are a few different combinations, and being wrong about one team would result in a lost wager.

That said, I think Detroit wins again, and right behind them will be the Packers. The big change from last year is Minnesota regressing. The price is +190, which gives you an extra +40 to tack onto the Lions winning the division if you think that will be the result.

Bet: Detroit Lions & Green Bay Packers (+190)

NFC North Season Matchups

There aren’t many available wagers for this betting market, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an interesting one – or one we can’t exploit. So far just the Packers vs. Vikings and Bears vs. Vikings series have pricing, so keep an eye out for more to drop down the road.

Detroit Lions Series Matchups

Detroit will remain at the top of the NFC North this year, so that means they will put up another strong divisional record. I think they go 5-1 this season within the North as they sweep both the Bears and Vikings, while splitting with the Packers.

Bet: 1-1 vs. Packers (NA), 2-0 vs. Bears (NA), 2-0 vs. Vikings (NA)

Green Bay Packers Series Matchups

The Packers had a tough time in the division last year. However, I expect them to improve this season with a little more talent on the roster and an extra motivation to win in the North. With that said, I think Green Bay goes at least 3-3 in the division as they split with all three rivals. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a season sweep of the Vikings.

Bet: 1-1 vs. Lions (NA), 1-1 vs. Bears (+130), 1-1 vs. Vikings (NA)

Chicago Bears Series Matchups

If the Bears can improve on last year’s debacle, then they will be a tough out in the division. Right now, I have them pegged at a 2-4 record as they split with the Packers and Vikings, while getting swept by the Lions. However, if they really show progress in the preseason, then I would say they could even go 4-2 in the North.

Bet: 1-1 vs. Packers (+130), 0-2 vs. Lions (NA), 1-1 vs. Vikings (+120)

Minnesota Vikings Series Matchups

As you have seen above, I believe that the Vikings will take a step back this season. In the North, I have them going 2-4 with a split against the Packers and Bears, while getting swept by the Lions. I think this is a best-case scenario as this team could even go 1-5 or 0-6 within the North.

Bet: 1-1 vs. Packers (NA), 1-1 vs. Bears (+120), 0-2 vs. Lions (NA)

NFC North Champions

Check out the most recent NFC North winners: