Aussie Football finals are rolling around which can only mean one thing, so is the start of the NFL! Check out our NFC North Betting Preview below!
The cold weather division where now only two of the four teams play outdoors at their home field.
The NFC North is shaping up to be the Packers division to lose once again. We decide if they are value or not below.
The NFC North Division Winner Odds
Odds listed above courtesy of oddschecker.com and of course in fractional form.
The NFC North Team Overview
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are considered one of the few teams who are legitimate Super Bowl contenders entering the season and a lot of their pending success will once again rest on the shoulders of their charismatic quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers offense ranked fourth in DVOA last year after going on a fairytale run to make it into the playoffs and win the division. This team’s true barometer outside of a healthy Rodgers may well be the defense which ranked just 20th in defensive DVOA last season and needs to not only stay healthy but force turnovers and get off the field quickly in 2017 if the Packers are to secure home field during the playoffs and make a run.
They’ll face the Seahawks, Falcons and Cowboys in the first block of games to kick off the season before having an easier run home to Christmas. If you like them for the Super Bowl, perhaps wait until October for a price!
PROJECTED: 11-5 and NFC North Division winners
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings started last season as hot as anyone and the defense had more wraps than a Christmas present on them. A combination of variance leveling things out and injury brought their season unstuck.
Entering 2017 they still have a good defense (9th in overall defensive DVOA last season) but the questions on Sam Bradford’s ability to throw the deep ball and pour points on still exist.
A home-heavy start to the season is a big bonus for this team who have a ceiling of around 10 wins and a floor at probably 7.
PROJECTED: 9-7
Detroit Lions
The Lions aren’t a good Football team. Despite winning nine games last year they weren’t a good team then either. They were incredibly lucky to win the games they did which is indicated with their negative point differential that they had in 2016.
The schedule for this year doesn’t look great and neither does their talent pond. The DVOA rated worst defense in Football last season will leak points against the likes of the Packers, Cardinals, Falcons, Steelers, Saints, and Panthers who are all on the schedule before December!
PROJECTED: 6-10
Chicago Bears
The Bears failed to win a single game on the road last season and were ravaged by injury throughout. They were at best a .500 team entering the season and with injuries were a non-factor from a very early point of the season.
In the offseason, their ‘franchise’ quarterback Jay Cutler retired and then signed with Miami signaling a new era at Soldier Field. They were below average in terms of DVOA on both sides of the ball last year and it’s hard to envisage with any confidence that changing this year.
Their home game schedule is particularly tough and for a team who didn’t win a game on the road last year, that’s a big worry.
PROJECTED: 5-11
Punting Stars’ NFC North Betting Tips
Aaron Rodgers Regular Season MVP @ $5
Detroit Lions UNDER 7.5 wins @ $2