Each team in the NFC North has a legit shot to take the division crown in 2020. Yes, each team, even the lowly Detroit Lions whose offense could carry a defense that was on its heels all season long in 2019 when quarterback Matthew Stafford went out with an injury.
With the NFL season nearing the halfway point, there is some competition amongst the top teams in the NFC North, the Bears and the Packers. Green Bay stands on top with a 5-2 record after getting run over by Dalvin Cook and the Vikings, while the Bears trail right behind with a. Who will win the NFC North? September 10, 2020. Steve Serby previews the NFC West as The Post offers division-by-division breakdowns forward of the 2020 NFL season. Seattle Seahawks. Coach: Pete Carroll. 2019 report: 11-5. The NFC North had two teams make the playoffs last season in the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. Find out the NFL Futures Betting Odds on the entire division, plus a closer look at MVP, Rookie of the Year, Win Totals and much more on the Packers, Vikings, Bears, and Lions.
Then, there are the Minnesota Vikings, whose hard-nosed defense and old-school style of football epitomizes a rough, tough division.
Next, you have the Chicago Bears, who follow a similar breed of football as the Vikings.
Lastly, you have last season's undisputed champions in the Green Bay Packers. They still have Aaron Rodgers, but the rest of the team appears to be weaker than those of years' past.
This article discusses why each North team can be a good bet at the online sportsbooks, but also why each team is a risky bet.
1. Chicago Bears (Odds to Win: +400)
Why They Will: Man, you gotta love that defense! Sure, the team could've stood to have garnered more sacks and created more turnovers. But hey, when you allow just 18.6 points per game, you're most definitely onto something great.
And that's exactly what kept the Bears in games last season, with 11 of their 16 games decided by just one possession in 2019.
The Bears own one of the league's great defenses in 2020. And trust me when I say they will build upon their eighth-place finish in total defense from 2019.
The team also boasts some decent pass-catchers in Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Tarik Cohen, to name a few. Even if the offense was anemic in 2019, don't be surprised if the Bears move the ball better in 2020.
Why They Won't: The quarterback controversy can creep in if the Bears' offense lays an egg in 2020 as they did in 2019. And it's never a winning situation when you have two veteran quarterbacks going at it all season long.
Here's a summary of what could happen and it can strike at any time during the long season:
- Mitchell Trubisky posts a bad game.
- Fans, the media, and even half the locker room clamor for Nick Foles to start.
- Trubisky is having another bad game and gets pulled. Foles comes in and plays lights out.
- Head coach Matt Nagy names Foles the starter. Foles plays well but posts a couple of bad games.
- Glad to see Trubisky back in the saddle.
And the cycle continues at least one more time throughout the 17-week gauntlet that is the NFL season. All of this can be coupled with the fact that the offensive line is still very suspect and neither running back David Montgomery nor Cohen have separated themselves as a lead back.
With that in mind, it could be another long season in Chicago and a wasted bet.
2. Green Bay Packers (Odds to Win: +175)
Why They Will: This time will go as far as quarterback Aaron Rodgers takes them, and there's always the chance he will take them far now that he's under some pressure. Perhaps, he may even take the team farther than the NFC North Championship and the trip to the NFC Title Game, which he took them to in 2019.
Who Is Winning The Nfc North 2020
Sure, he is declining stat-wise, but Rodgers is still one of the best in the league at elevating the talent around him. He also has a dynamic running game featuring three good running backs in Aaron Williams, Jamaal Williams, and a Derrick Henry-like power back in A.J. Dillon.
On defense, the Pack has one of the best pass-rushing duos in Preston and Za'Darius Smith, who combined for 25.5 sacks in 2019.
But the main key to the NFC North Championship remains with Rodgers.
And until the rest of the North proves they can beat him, the Packers may remain the safest bet to take the division in 2020.
Why They Won't: Talent-wise, this is one decimated football team from top to bottom. Yeah, Rodgers, the Smiths, and the running game are intact. But the Packers are a mess just about everywhere else. Is anyone other than Davante Adams a relevant player in the pass-catching unit?
Ditto on the offensive line, where David Bakhtiari is the only real shoo-in as a starter. On defense, the Packers lost three major contributors in their linebacking unit in Blake Martinez, Kyler Fackrell, and B.J. Goodson.
Sure, it's foolish to count out Rodgers, but even he may have a tough time lifting the Packers out of the mess in the receiving unit and on defense, sans the Smiths.
The defensive backfield has turned some heads, but unless someone steps up to stop the run in Green Bay, expect them to deal with a full workload and a lot of pressure.
3. Minnesota Vikings (Odds to Win: +160)
Why They Will: The Vikings own a stellar defense and it starts with their front seven. Players like Danielle Hunter and Ifeadi Odenigbo are outstanding pass rushers who opposing lines and quarterbacks must remain aware of.
On offense, the team has the right players for the run-first, tight end-friendly dink and dunk passing game. It's a formula for success in Minneapolis.
Why They Won't: The Vikings boast a strong defense but their defensive backfield lacks prowess at corner. Holton Hill, Jeff Gladney, and Mike Hughes comprise a new trio of starters at corner for the Vikings.
And given the fact they're playing aerial assaults against quick-thinking quarterbacks, expect them to pick at the Vikings' unknown corners if they beat the Minnesota pass-rush.
Next, you have the Chicago Bears, who follow a similar breed of football as the Vikings.
Lastly, you have last season's undisputed champions in the Green Bay Packers. They still have Aaron Rodgers, but the rest of the team appears to be weaker than those of years' past.
This article discusses why each North team can be a good bet at the online sportsbooks, but also why each team is a risky bet.
1. Chicago Bears (Odds to Win: +400)
Why They Will: Man, you gotta love that defense! Sure, the team could've stood to have garnered more sacks and created more turnovers. But hey, when you allow just 18.6 points per game, you're most definitely onto something great.
And that's exactly what kept the Bears in games last season, with 11 of their 16 games decided by just one possession in 2019.
The Bears own one of the league's great defenses in 2020. And trust me when I say they will build upon their eighth-place finish in total defense from 2019.
The team also boasts some decent pass-catchers in Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Tarik Cohen, to name a few. Even if the offense was anemic in 2019, don't be surprised if the Bears move the ball better in 2020.
Why They Won't: The quarterback controversy can creep in if the Bears' offense lays an egg in 2020 as they did in 2019. And it's never a winning situation when you have two veteran quarterbacks going at it all season long.
Here's a summary of what could happen and it can strike at any time during the long season:
- Mitchell Trubisky posts a bad game.
- Fans, the media, and even half the locker room clamor for Nick Foles to start.
- Trubisky is having another bad game and gets pulled. Foles comes in and plays lights out.
- Head coach Matt Nagy names Foles the starter. Foles plays well but posts a couple of bad games.
- Glad to see Trubisky back in the saddle.
And the cycle continues at least one more time throughout the 17-week gauntlet that is the NFL season. All of this can be coupled with the fact that the offensive line is still very suspect and neither running back David Montgomery nor Cohen have separated themselves as a lead back.
With that in mind, it could be another long season in Chicago and a wasted bet.
2. Green Bay Packers (Odds to Win: +175)
Why They Will: This time will go as far as quarterback Aaron Rodgers takes them, and there's always the chance he will take them far now that he's under some pressure. Perhaps, he may even take the team farther than the NFC North Championship and the trip to the NFC Title Game, which he took them to in 2019.
Who Is Winning The Nfc North 2020
Sure, he is declining stat-wise, but Rodgers is still one of the best in the league at elevating the talent around him. He also has a dynamic running game featuring three good running backs in Aaron Williams, Jamaal Williams, and a Derrick Henry-like power back in A.J. Dillon.
On defense, the Pack has one of the best pass-rushing duos in Preston and Za'Darius Smith, who combined for 25.5 sacks in 2019.
But the main key to the NFC North Championship remains with Rodgers.
And until the rest of the North proves they can beat him, the Packers may remain the safest bet to take the division in 2020.
Why They Won't: Talent-wise, this is one decimated football team from top to bottom. Yeah, Rodgers, the Smiths, and the running game are intact. But the Packers are a mess just about everywhere else. Is anyone other than Davante Adams a relevant player in the pass-catching unit?
Ditto on the offensive line, where David Bakhtiari is the only real shoo-in as a starter. On defense, the Packers lost three major contributors in their linebacking unit in Blake Martinez, Kyler Fackrell, and B.J. Goodson.
Sure, it's foolish to count out Rodgers, but even he may have a tough time lifting the Packers out of the mess in the receiving unit and on defense, sans the Smiths.
The defensive backfield has turned some heads, but unless someone steps up to stop the run in Green Bay, expect them to deal with a full workload and a lot of pressure.
3. Minnesota Vikings (Odds to Win: +160)
Why They Will: The Vikings own a stellar defense and it starts with their front seven. Players like Danielle Hunter and Ifeadi Odenigbo are outstanding pass rushers who opposing lines and quarterbacks must remain aware of.
On offense, the team has the right players for the run-first, tight end-friendly dink and dunk passing game. It's a formula for success in Minneapolis.
Why They Won't: The Vikings boast a strong defense but their defensive backfield lacks prowess at corner. Holton Hill, Jeff Gladney, and Mike Hughes comprise a new trio of starters at corner for the Vikings.
And given the fact they're playing aerial assaults against quick-thinking quarterbacks, expect them to pick at the Vikings' unknown corners if they beat the Minnesota pass-rush.
On the other side of the ball, can the receiving unit help? Justin Jefferson is a rookie, and Adam Thielen is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro. While the offense favors backs and tight ends, an ineffective receiving unit can allow opponents to key on the Vikings' strengths. And that will lead to losses.
4. Detroit Lions (Odds to Win: +475)
Why They Will: Quarterback Matthew Stafford boasted a good season up until his back injury forced him to miss the final eight games.
Along with his return, the Lions also boast strong players on offense, including a fantastic trio of pass-catchers in Kenny Golladay, T.J. Hockenson, and Marvin Jones. And they have a solid committee at running back in D'Andre Swift, Adrian Peterson, and Kerryon Johnson—all a recipe for success on offense.
On defense, the Lions can ride it out with more ex-Patriots joining Matt Patricia and company.
These are players who bought into the Patriots' culture long ago. Patricia has ousted most players (most notably Darius Slay) who weren't fans of what the head coach and Bill Belichick disciple implemented.
This Lions team is a far cry from what they were when Patricia took over two seasons ago. And with a hot offense and Patriots-like defense, expect them to threaten in 2020.
Why They Won't: The Ford family made it clear that it's crunch time for Patricia and his crew. It's either win or get out at this point, and Patricia's defense has only regressed since he took over in 2018.
Who Will Win The Nfc North 2019
Sure, they look far more Patriots-like now than they had in the past two seasons.
Also, if Stafford's back problems persist, who will pick up the slack? Last season, it was an abysmal duo of Jeff Driskel and David Blough. In 2020, the Lions have Chase Daniel, not much of an upgrade.
Conclusion
Who Will Win The Nfc North In 2022
The Bears' defense is reminiscent of those championship-caliber units the team put together back in 1985 and 2006. Is 2020 another season in which the Bears can take the NFC North and perhaps go deep into the playoffs? Hey, if that offense can at least somewhat click, the answer is yes. What about the others?
- The Packers can ride Aaron Rodgers to a division championship and for that reason, they're a popular bet among most of us. But he has seen a lot of decline in recent years, and this is by no means the most talented Packers team he's had.
- The Vikings can win on defense with that lethal front seven and blue-chip safeties. Their offense can click as well. However, question marks remain at their receiver and corner position units.
- The Lions can boast one of the hottest offenses in football with a defense to match. But is it already over for Patricia and company in Detroit?
Which team do you like the best to win the NFC North and did you wager at any NFL betting sites on anyone in particular? Tell us in the comments.
