2023 NFC North Preview, Odds, and Best Bets

We are creeping ever closer to the start of the 2023 NFL Season and as we do, we will be previewing each division and giving out our best bets for each divisional winner and over/under for each team’s win totals.

We strongly encourage our readers to not follow these futures blindly, nor follow each one of them. So many things happen during just the preseason, let alone the entire season that would totally change the direction of a team and derail a future ticket.

So, without further ado, let us dive into what was a division full with parity last season. This season seems as though it will be a much tighter fight for the division crown. Some older staple names from teams in the division have left and some newer ones have emerged via free agency and the draft.

Detroit Lions Over/Under WINS: 9.5

Dan Campbell got things turned around last season for the Lions. They won 8 of their last 10 games to finish 2nd in the division but just missed the playoffs. The defense was not up to par as they finished near the bottom of the league, allowing 25.1ppg.

The offense, however, was a balanced attack that finished 4th in the league in total yards per game with 380. They also produced well inside the red zone by scoring touchdowns on 66.18% of the time they entered.

Over the offseason, they lost D’Andre Swift to the Eagles in free agency but plan on filling that hole with Jahmyr Gibbs when they drafted him out of Alabama. Jameson Williams will be out a few games, but Amon-Ra St. Brown will still be a worthy target for Goff.

Defensively, they added a bunch of new faces through free agency. Emmanuel Moseley, Cameron Sutton, and CJ Gardner-Johnson should give the secondary a good boost. Aidan Hutchinson had an incredibly productive season one and will likely take another step forward in season two.

We are backing the hype that Dan Campbell and these Lions are getting this offseason. The offense may drop down a tick, but the defense should be much improved and will make up for the dip in offense and then some. It seemed like the day would never come but we are backing these Lions to win the division this season.

The pick: Over 9.5 Wins & Division Winner +130

Minnesota Vikings Over/Under WINS: 8.5

Things got a bit choppy later in the season for the Vikes. After starting 8-1, they finished 5-4 the rest of the way. Ending with a home playoff loss to the Giants, the season was seen as a failure despite finishing with 13 wins.

It was an all-out aerial attack by the Vikings offense last season. They were 4th in the league with 265 yards per game. The run game was a disaster and only averaged 96 yards per game ranked 29th.

Dalvin Cook did finish with over 1200 yards and 8 touchdowns but was let go over the offseason. His number paled in comparison to Justin Jefferson’s 135 receptions, 1850 yards, and 8 touchdowns. The defense was one of the worst in the league and is what prevented them from reaching their full potential in 2022.

Instead of addressing their defense through the draft, they opted to take another weapon for Kirk Cousins in Jordan Addison. They did add Marcus Davenport on the line and Byron Murphy for the secondary and hope that will be enough to get things turned around.

We don’t believe that is going to be enough and combine that with letting Dalvin Cook and his 1200+ yards go and this Vikings team is going to take a step in the wrong direction this season.

The pick: Vikings Under 8.5 Wins

Chicago Bears Over/Under WINS: 7.5

It was a season to forget for the Chicago Bears in 2022-2023. They knocked off San Fran in the season opener and Houston in Week 3 to start 2-1. From there, it got extremely ugly as they lost 13 of the next 14 games.

The defense was last in the league and allowed 375 yards in total offense and over 27 points per game. The offense was not great either but did rank 1st in rushing yards per game with over 175 per game. Most of that was due to Justin Fields picking up yards by scrambling.

Over the offseason, the Bears picked up DJ Moore to give Fields another weapon. They also drafted Darnell Wright at 10 to help with Fields’s protection. Tremaine Edmunds was also added and makes Chicago one of the best linebacking corps in the division.

Even with the addition of DJ Moore, we do not see Justin Fields as being an elite passing QB in the league. Khalil Herbert will be in the backfield and will likely share some carries with D’Onta Foreman who came over from Carolina after a productive year.

Even if the offense moves forward, the defense is a far way from coming out of the cellar of the league. The Bears will get more than 4 wins this season but no chance at doubling that number.

The pick: Bears Under 7.5 Wins

Green Bay Packers Over/Under WINS: 7.5

In what turned out to be the swan song for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, the Packers struggled and finished a game under .500 for the season and missed the playoffs for only the 4th time in Rodger’s career.

They tried a more balanced attack in utilizing both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to carry the ball more than previous season. However, mediocrity is all that followed on offense and the same could be said for the defense.

The Pack enter the Jordan Love era this season. He will have both Jones and Dillon in the backfield again, as well as Christian Watson on the outside who proved to be a productive receiver last season.

Through the draft, they also added Jayden Reed who will push for the 2nd receiver spot with Romeo Doubs. If healthy, the defense could be stronger than last season. Rashan Gary leads a talented group of linebackers, but the questions will be answered by how the secondary plays.

We believe Jordan Love will be better than many expect as the play calling should be rather run heavy in his 1st season. That will allow him to use the play action and even his legs more so than the aging Rodgers was able to do lately. That said, we are not confident enough to believe they will exceed the 7-win mark this season.

The pick: Packers Under 7.5 Wins