2024 NFL Odds: Can Jordan Love lead Packers to NFC North title?
The Packers have been kings of the NFC North division for years, but the Lions dethroned Green Bay last year for Detroit’s first division win since 1993.
Based on the opening lines, oddsmakers are banking on the NFC North being a three-horse race in 2024 between Detroit, Green Bay and Chicago, while Minnesota lags as a long shot.
Just over a month away from the start of the regular season, let’s take a look at the NFC North division and how it could play out in 2024.
2024 NFC North odds
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are the favourites to win the NFC North again in 2024 after winning the division for the first time in 30 years last year. Detroit’s 12 wins last season was their most since 1991 and a large part of that success was thanks an offence that ranked third in the NFL in total yards and fifth in points per game.
Jared Goff is expected to have another big season after finishing last year second in total passing yards (4,575) and fourth in passing touchdowns (30) while throwing for a career-best 67.3 completion percentage. David Montgomery is also back to torch defences. Montgomery rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and he established a new career-high with 13 rushing TDs.
The Lions have also improved defensively. They added D.J. Reader, Amik Robertson and Marcus Davenport in free agency and they used their first two draft picks on defensive backs Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. There’s solid buzz Detroit could be a Super Bowl contender in 2024.
Detroit Lions 2024 season best bet: Detroit Lions win the NFC.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers will be Detroit’s biggest competition in the NFC North. This is officially Jordan Love’s team after he signed a massive extension that makes him one of the highest paid quarterbacks in NFL history. In his first season as a starter in 2023, Love threw for 4,159 yards and had the second-most passing TDs in the league (32).
There’s reason to believe Love will be even better in 2024 and he could be a great value pick for MVP as he only got better as the season went on last year. He’ll also have top targets Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks all returning healthy with another year year of experience.
This will be a very similar Green Bay roster in 2024, so they should be a lock for the playoffs and challenge for the division crown.
Green Bay Packers 2024 season best bet: Jordan Love wins regular season MVP.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears completely revamped their offence in the off-season, adding first overall draft pick Caleb Williams, ninth overall pick Rome Odunze and Pro Bowlers Keenan Allen and D’Andre Swift. While the Bears certainly look like a better team on paper, let’s pump the brakes a bit. After all, Justin Fields was supposed to be the franchise saviour just a couple of years ago and now he’s backing up Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh.
As much hype as there is with Williams, it’s Chicago’s defence that could be the difference-maker in 2024. Defensive end Montez Sweat was a particularly effective trade acquisition last October and he should continue to help the Bears in his first full season in Chicago. The Bears’ defence allowed an average of 27.3 points per game in the first eight games of 2023 to just 17.9 ppg following Sweat’s arrival.
One more thing to keep in mind: Chicago has the third-easiest strength of schedule, so there’s plenty of opportunity to take advantage of matchups.
Chicago Bears 2024 season best bet: Caleb Williams wins Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Minnesota Vikings
After losing QB1 Kirk Cousins in the off-season, the Minnesota Vikings are long shots to win the NFC North. That leaves either 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold as Minnesota’s starter in 2024. McCarthy has the ability to develop into an elite quarterback, but he could use a few years of seasoning much like the plan Green Bay had for Jordan Love playing behind Aaron Rodgers. Darnold never lived up to the hype of being a third overall draft pick and he’s not the quarterback you want McCarthy learning from.
Losing Cousins was a massive blow for the Vikings, but they made positive additions in free agency. Minnesota boosted their defence with the additions of Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman, Andrew Van Ginkel and Shaquill Griffin as well rookie linebacker Dallas Turner, who the Vikings drafted 17th overall out of Alabama.
The problem for Minnesota is, even if the defence does its job, it won’t mean anything if the offence can’t score. With the way the roster looks right now, it’s tough to envision the Vikings finishing anywhere other than last in the NFC North.
Minnesota Vikings 2024 season best bet: Minnesota win total Under 6.5
Last 10 NFC North winners
| Year | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Detroit Lions | 12-5 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Vikings | 13-4 |
| 2021 | Green Bay Packers | 13-4 |
| 2020 | Green Bay Packers | 13-3 |
| 2019 | Green Bay Packers | 13-3 |
| 2018 | Chicago Bears | 12-4 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Vikings | 13-3 |
| 2016 | Green Bay Packers | 10-6 |
| 2015 | Minnesota Vikings | 11-5 |
| 2014 | Green Bay Packers | 12-4 |
