NFC North Predictions, Odds & Projections 2021/2022

• Reigning league MVP Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers are favored here
• Vikings and Bears could use a productive offseason to up their NFC North chances
• With QB Matthew Stafford no longer under center, the Lions are a divisional longshot

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NFC North Division Winner Odds

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook, updated on December 23, 2021.

NFC North Division Predictions and Picks

The Green Bay Packers look like a Super Bowl team waiting to happen, so expect them to take charge of their division in 2021, with Rodgers wanting to snag at least one more Lombardi Trophy before he hangs up his cleats.

Pick:

Green Bay Packers

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Green Bay Packers

The big challenge for the Packers front office this offseason is to hang onto the free agents on their current roster, a feat made even more difficult by the salary cap challenges Green Bay and most NFL teams are facing this year.

RBs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are both now free agents, putting in jeopardy the Packers’ strong backfield, the tandem’s solid run game helping QB Aaron Rodgers’ passing attack work more effectively, but that depends on the type of long term deal those two are hoping for and whether the front office can afford to make that happen.

Another key to this Green Bay offseason will be to bring in some young talent to provide roster depth, and on defense, many mock drafts have GM Brian Gutekunst taking Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins with the 29th pick overall.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings’ front office needs to do more to protect their franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins, who endured the highest pressure rate ever in 2020, which forced him to rush his delivery, and more often than not that caused Minnesota’s offense to falter.

Like every other NFL franchise, the Vikings are facing a financial crunch due to salary cap issues, so keeping their key free agents around – starting players like safety Anthony Harris and defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson – must be the main focus for general manager Rick Spielman.

For offensive line help in the upcoming draft, some mocks have the Vikings selecting Northwestern lineman Rashawn Slater or USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker with the 14th overall pick, both players projected to be immediate starters who can make a difference in pass protection.

Chicago Bears

There are still serious rumors about the Chicago Bears snagging unhappy Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, but more recently are the Tweets about the team somehow grabbing Seattle QB Russel Wilson.

Either of those options would be better than what the Bears are dealing with now, which is a shaky Mitchell Trubisky and an up-and-down backup in Nick Foles, two QBs who have not been able to step up as the answer under center in Chicago.

Some earlier mocks have Chicago taking Oklahoma State offensive lineman Teven Jenkins with the 20th overall pick in the draft, a sign that they are not looking for a young QB and could be using free agency to fill that hole instead.

No Chance to Win

Detroit Lions

After trading franchise QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and some other knickknacks, the Detroit Lions are back to rebuilding and are the longshot to win the NFC North in 2021.

Making matters worse, or hopefully better, is new head coach Dan Campbell who replaces Matt Patricia, and the new guy in charge better hope that the Detroit front office can do a decent job of working around the salary cap to keep certain key free agents from leaving the team.

The Lions stand to lose offensive playmakers like WRs Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola, plus RB Adrian Peterson, who gives the team a solid run game, and there are just as many defensive players ready to flee, a worst case scenario for general manager Brad Holmes.

Which Team Has Won the Most Divisional Titles?

Which NFC North Team Has Won the Most Super Bowls?

The Green Bay Packers, who have won three NFC championships, have turned those (and two of their pre-1970 NFL Championships) into four Super Bowl wins I in 1966, II in 1967, XXXI in 1996, and XLV in 2010.

The Chicago Bears, who have won two NFC championships, turned those into one Super Bowl win: XX in 1985.

Next are the Minnesota Vikings, who won three NFC championships and an NFL Championship (1969) but couldn’t turn them into any Super Bowl wins.

Last are the Detroit Lions, who have never won an NFC championship and therefore have never been to the Super Bowl.

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