2015/16 NFC North Futures Odds & Predictions

It doesn’t look like the Packers are going to have any trouble winning the NFC North again this season.

The Lions defense took a big hit this off-season, while the Bears and Vikings don’t have the players to compete with GB in the division this season. The odds are poor on the Packers winning the division, but they’re the best bet.

Odds to Win the NFC North in 2015

• Green Bay Packers -315
• Detroit Lions +615
• Minnesota Vikings +850
• Chicago Bears +1550

Detroit and Chicago look tempting at these long odds, but there’s no way either team will win the NFC North. Betting on an odds-on future is never ideal, as your money is locked up for months, but I’d only bet GB or pass for this division.

2015 Green Bay Packers Team Preview

Last Season’s Record: 12-4 (1st in NFC North)

Key Additions: None

Key Losses: Brad Jones, Davon House, A.J. Hawk & Tramon Williams

Regular Season Win Total: Over 11 Wins (-115) vs. Under 11 Wins (-105)

Green Bay didn’t make a splash in the free agents market this off-season, but that’s become the norm for the Packers. It was more important to resign important players like Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga than it was to sign a big free agent.

The Packers will have one of the best offenses in the NFL again, but the defense won’t be great. The secondary will rely on a pair of rookies. Aaron Rodgers and the GB offense will need to rely on outscoring opponents again in 2015.

With a softer NFC North – the Packers will win over 11 games this season.

2015 Detroit Lions Team Preview

Last Season’s Record: 11-5 (2nd in NFC North)

Key Additions: Haloti Ngata, Manny Ramirez, Tyrunn Walker, Lance Moore & Laken Tomlinson

Key Losses: Ndamukong Suh, Reggie Bush, Nick Fairley, Garrett Reynolds & George Johnson

Regular Season Win Total: Over 8.5 Wins (+120) vs. Under 8.5 Wins (-140)

Losing Suh and Fairley will really hurt this defense, especially last year’s #1 run defense. Ngata is a great player to add to the d-line, but he isn’t on the same level as Suh. Losing Bush hurts in the pass game too, but he was always injured.

I like that they drafted Ameer Abdullah – he has the speed to hurt defenses if he can stay healthy in the NFL. Stafford and Johnson will ensure the Lions pass game is lethal, but the Lions are going to regress from last season’s win total.

The Lions win total is tough to predict, but I’m betting on under 8.5 wins this season.

2015 Minnesota Vikings Team Preview

Last Season’s Record: 7-9 (3rd in NFC North)

Key Additions: Mike Wallace, Terence Newman, Taylor Mays & Shaun Hill

Key Losses: Greg Jennings, Jasper Brinkley, Charlie Johnson, Matt Cassel, Erin Henderson & Corey Wootton

Regular Season Win Total: Over 7 Wins (-300) vs. Under 7 Wins (+250)

The Vikings are improving each off-season, but I don’t believe they have enough talent to beat GB yet. The offense will be strong in 2015, as Adrian Peterson is back and will have something to prove, plus Wallace is a great WR.

Wallace is never consistent enough to put up superstar numbers, but he’s always a threat to score a deep TD and he’ll definitely improve the offense. The defense has some promise too, as the secondary has been completely re-tooled.

I don’t understand the win total odds for the Vikings, but I’d be betting on over 7 wins or passing completely.

2015 Chicago Bears Team Preview

Last Season’s Record: 5-11 (4th in NFC North)

Key Additions: Pernell McPhee, Mason Foster, Antrel Rolle, Eddie Royal & Alan Ball

Key Losses: Brandon Marshall, Stephen Paea, Lance Briggs, Chris Conte, Charles Tillman & Roberto Garza

Regular Season Win Total: Over 7 Wins (+120) vs. Under 7 Wins (-140)

Chicago needed change and that’s what they got, but they’re still a year or two from contending in the NFC North. Cutler still needs to be replaced in Chicago, as he isn’t the QB of the future, but I’m excited about drafting Kevin White.

White will replace the aging Marshall and now the Bears have a solid WR unit that’s young. Matt Forte should get more carries under the new OC and the Bears will be improved, but will they be able to win 7 games?

I feel the Bears win total will end up being a push, but I’ll take the plus money and bet on over 7 wins.