Odds to Win NFC North Division

Here's our rundown on what has happened in the offseason for all of the NFC North teams and their odds to win the NFC North as listed at bodog

Chicago Bears (+500)

Added – RB Marion Barber (FA), WR Sam Hurd (FA), WR Roy Williams (FA), TE Matt Spaeth (FA), C Chris Spencer (FA), DT Amobi Okoye (FA), P Adam Podlesh (FA), OT Gabe Carimi (DR), DT Stephen Paea (DR).
Lost – TE Greg Olsen, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, C Olin Kreutz, OT Kevin Shaffer, DT Tommie Harris, OLB Hunter Hillenmeyer, S Danieal Manning, P Brad Maynard.

The O-line was a weakness for the Bears all season in 2010 and now they will be without Kreutz, a team leader and their best O-lineman. The jettisoning of Olsen shows that Off. Co. Mike Martz wants only wideouts and RBs catching the ball. The defense ranked 9th last season, No.2 vs. the run. Okoye and Paea add depth to the interior and if the secondary can step up their play, this will be an elite unit. However, Chicago’s hopes rest with the offense and QB Jay Cutler specifically. Williams will try to resurrect his career but this team lacks a No.1 receiver. Will challenge for a playoff spot but not in Green Bay’s class.

Detroit Lions (+450)

Added – RB Mike Bell (FA), RB Jerome Harrison (FA), WR Maurice Stovall (FA), G Isaac Sowells (FA), LB Justin Durant (FA), LB Stephen Tulloch (FA), CB Eric Wright (FA), CB Anthony Madison (FA), S Michael Johnson (FA), DT Nick Fairley (FA), WR Titus Young (DR).
Lost – WR Bryant Johnson, LB Jordon Dizon, LB Julian Peterson, LB Zack Follett.

The Lions continue to add talent to a team that was largely devoid of it just a few short years ago. Bell and Harrison were signed to try and overcome the loss of rookie RB Mikel Leshoure (IR). Young can get deep and gives QB Matthew Stafford another weapon. Stafford’s health is the key to this team moving up in the standings. The secondary has been a sore spot for several years and must improve. The front four can be dominant and the Lions signed some LBs with starting experience. The back four doesn’t have to be great, just good enough to keep the team in games. Could surprise but not a threat to the NFC’s big boys yet.

Green Bay Packers (-220)

Added – OT Derek Sherrod (DR), WR Randall Cobb (DR), CB Davon House (DR).
Lost – RB Brandon Jackson, TE Donald Lee, OT Mark Tauscher, G Jason Spitz, G Daryn Colledge, DE Justin Harrell, DE Cullen Jenkins, OLB Brady Poppinga, ILB Nick Barnett, OLB Brandon Chillar, CB Al Harris, S Atari Bigby.

The Packers had their typical offseason even with the lockout. They didn’t sign any free agents and let several of their own free agents, including former starters, go. With 15 players on IR last season, Green Bay got to see a lot of young players grow up on the job. Another solid draft this year should help them stay atop the division. The loss of Jenkins is clearly the biggest blow to the defense and they will have difficulty replacing him. The offense gets several starters back and has been bolstered by five rookies (in the first six picks). A definite contender and the early favorite to get to the Super Bowl.

Minnesota Vikings (+1000)

Added – QB Donovan McNabb (TR), WR Michael Jenkins (FA), WR Devin Aromashodu (FA), OT Charlie Johnson, NT Remi Ayodele, QB Christian Ponder (DR), TE Kyle Rudolph (DR).
Lost – QB Brett Favre, QB Tarvaris Jackson, WR Sidney Rice, OT Bryant McKinnie, NT Pat Williams, DT Jimmy Kennedy, LB Ben Leber, CB Frank Walker, S Madieu Williams.

From the outside, Minnesota looks like a rebuilding team. The Vikings figure they have a chance with RB Adrian Peterson, a decent stopgap QB in McNabb and a defense that ranked 8th overall last year. Cutting McKinnie was tough but he showed up at camp near 400 lbs. with “Goodyear” stamped on his pants. Johnson will replace him but he failed in Indy as a starter. The defense lost some starters but is hoping some younger players can step up. The loss of Pat Williams could affect the run defense, which has been amongst the NFL’s best during his time in Minnesota. Will battle to stay out of the division cellar.

NFC North Odds

Odds avaialble at bodog

Green Bay Packers -220
Detroit Lions +450
Chicago Bears +500
Minnesota Vikings +1000

NFC North Odds

Chicago Bears (+500)

Detroit Lions (+450)

Green Bay Packers (-220)

Minnesota Vikings (+1000)

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