For the few NFL fans remaining who care about history, tradition, and the old ways, the NFC North is special. It is something of an NFL odds refuge from what the game has become. It is a division rich with generational rivalries and legacy franchises. Previously nicknamed the Black & Blue Division, its teams have shared this division, once formally known as the NFC Central, since 1961. When the Minnesota Vikings were a newborn expansion franchise, they joined the stalwart Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.
NFC North Division Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | +130 |
| Green Bay Packers | +200 |
| Chicago Bears | +350 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +900 |
2024 NFC North Overview
In 2023, the Detroit Lions won the NFC North for the first time since 1993. Late on, the Packers were the dominant team in the division eight times from 2011 through 2021. Next was the Vikings winning it three times and the Bears on time in that online betting span.
Some of the most historic figures in pro football made their names in the NFC North. First and foremost was the Papa Bear, NFL, and Chicago Bears founder George Hallas. The Green Bay Packers have the greatest coach in history, Vince Lombardi, headlining their proud history. Consider the Lombardi Trophy goes to the Super Bowl champion each year. The Minnesota Vikings were led to glory by Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant, who took them to four Super Bowls.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions’ best NFL betting odds era was in the 1950s. The Lions have never played in a Super Bowl. But Detroit has never looked this close to a trip to Super Sunday then they do now. For 2024, the future markets show the Lions as the favorite to repeat with the Packers a close second choice.
Detroit head coach Dan Campbell is a classic case of being the right man at the right time. Correlate that Campbell has a rough-edged personality that fits perfectly in the motor city of Detroit. Detroit fans and players love Campbell as the coach seen as the one who can finally lead the Lions to the Super Bowl.
Yet another Detroit success story is Rams castoff quarterback Jared Goff. The year that Goff was traded to Detroit for Matt Stafford, the Rams won the Super Bowl. But in the 2023 NFC Playoffs, Goff got some revenge with a win over his old team.
The Green Bay Packers were written off for dead towards the end of last season. But head coach Matt LaFleur and first-year starting QB Jordan Love rallied the Pack to a playoff berth. Once in the postseason, Green Bay stunned the Cowboys in Dallas. Next, they nearly upset the 49ers in San Francisco.
It was 30 years since the Detroit Lions last won a division title. But Detroit ended its futility impressively for 2023. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had won the NFC Central more recently than the Lions have won this current division. Accordingly, that illustrates how futile this franchise had been in the Super Bowl era.
The NFC North evolved out of the NFC Central, which in its glory years was known as the “Black and Blue Division.” This division has three of the oldest franchises in the NFL: the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lions. In turn they are entrenched as the most-played rivalries in the league. Given their status as relative newcomers, it has been impressive to see Minnesota win this many division titles. However, the Vikings have yet to win a Super Bowl.