The Green Bay Packers were the only team over .500 at 13-3 in 2020, their second consecutive season with 13 wins. The Chicago Bears finished 8-8 while the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions finished with losing records.
The Packers were the NFC’s #1 seed and made it to the Conference Championship Game before falling to Tampa Bay. Offseason drama and an uncertain future may force them to regress, but if not, they could be right back.
Read our complete NFC North 2020 recap.
Odds to Win NFC North in 2021
Green Bay Packers Team Preview 2021
The Packers are overwhelming favorites at -150, based on their domination over the division in recent years. Green Bay has won seven division crowns since 2011 and is regarded as the sole authority in the NFC North.
Reigning Most Valuable Player, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, made waves this offseason by voicing frustrations with his front office. Rumors circulated that Rodgers could be traded to another team, but as of early July, nothing has materialized.
Rodgers led the league in touchdowns (48), fewest interceptions (five), and quarterback rating (84.7). He also threw for 4,299 yards to cap off his best year since 2016.
Davante Adams and Aaron Jones also showed their worth last year by stepping up as key position players around Rodgers. Adams broke the franchise’s record for touchdown receptions, while Jones earned his first Pro-Bowl nomination. Green Bay also added center Josh Myers and receiver Amari Rodgers through the draft to gather more offensive firepower.
The Packers’ defense was better than in years past, finishing near the middle of the pack in many major categories. Adding first-round cornerback Eric Stokes will give them seven more protection in the secondary.
Minnesota Vikings Team Preview 2021
The Vikings were third last year at 7-9 but have been given the second-best odds to win the division at +275. Minnesota reached the 2017 NFC Championship game but has steadily decreased since then, appearing average and second-class in the division.
The key player for Minnesota is Dalvin Cook, a four-year running back from Florida State. Cook has never played more than 14 games in a season during his career but is a game-changer on the field. Last year was the most productive of Cook’s career— he finished with 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground.
Minnesota’s defense was sixth-worst in yards allowed and fourth-worst in scoring and is a far cry from the 2017 squad. The team made an offseason swoop for Patrick Peterson, which should help a little, but they are still undermanned defensively.
The Vikings’ path to a division title will come through Cook and the offensive line rather than quarterback Kirk Cousins. The former Washington man has been getting worse with time and is underplaying his contract.
Chicago Bears Team Preview 2021
At +300, the Bears are an interesting team; they have a solid defense, a smart coach, and added Justin Fields.
Fields is a baller, running 4.44 at his Pro Day and leading Ohio State to the College Football Playoff runner-up. He is unlikely to get the starting nod in Week One but should feature sooner than later.
The Bears have an extremely talented defense to partner their new quarterback, led by Khalil Mack. A six-time Pro-Bowler, Mack led a unit that was efficient but worn down after they were forced to spend extended stretches on the field. If the offense can become more productive, the defense’s numbers should be near the top in most areas.
The keys to the future are in Fields’ hands, and whether or not they succeed will start with him. Chicago won the division as recently as 2018 when they went 12-4, and they have the talent to replicate this.
Detroit Lions Team Preview 2021
The Lions have been given little-to-no respect from the oddsmakers and are +2500 favorites to win the division. They have not won the NFC North since 1993, are generally regarded as the worst franchise in football, and are not improving.
Detroit made a major offseason trade, swapping quarterbacks with the Los Angeles Rams and getting Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford. Goff has made a Super Bowl appearance in his four-year career but has become very turnover-prone and inefficient.
Most of the Lions’ players on offense would not be starters in other locations, which is a major problem. Goff should be protected by Frank Ragnow and rookie Penei Sewell, at the very least, but there is not enough talent around him.
Sometimes, teams with lesser odds can be excellent picks because of their value, but that is not the case here. The Lions simply do not have the personnel to succeed and will more than likely be terrible again.
2021 NFC North Predictions
The Packers are a clear favorite even with their unattractive value, but only if Rodgers stays put. If trade talks with the MVP gain any momentum, bail on Green Bay without hesitation.
The Bears at +300 is another intriguing proposition; Fields is a stud, so if he starts early, they could succeed. They are also a much better upset pick than Minnesota because of their quarterback play and defensive talent.
Bet on Green Bay to take the division, but if there are any signs that Rodgers is leaving, hammer Chicago.
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