NFC North Predictions & Best Bets 2026: Lions, Packers, Bears & Vikings
We are on the homestraight to the start of the 2026 NFL season, but before it arrives, we're breaking down EVERY division to give our full team analysis along with our predictions and best bets.
Pickswise’s extensive coverage continues with a breakdown of the NFC North, which could be one of the best divisions in football. Although it was not top-heavy last year, all four teams finished with winning records. At least three are expected to be in the mix in 2026, and even Minnesota cannot be entirely discounted.
Here at Pickswise, our experts have combed through all the major NFL futures betting markets to deliver their NFL predictions and NFL best bets — including the Super Bowl winner, MVP winner and EVERY player award!
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NFC North odds
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
- Detroit Lions +170
- Green Bay Packers +225
- Chicago Bears +305
- Minnesota Vikings +510
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Chicago Bears
Second-year head coach Ben Johnson is talking a big game – at least in his area of expertise: the offensive side of the ball. And why not? Caleb Williams is emerging at quarterback, plus he is playing behind a stout offensive line and has weapons like D’Andre Swift and Rome Odunze at his disposal. As for the defense, it might not be any good – which could be problematic in an NFC North that features quarterbacks Jared Goff (Detroit) and Jordan Love (Green Bay). A difficult division makes for a relatively unforgiving schedule, but Chicago should still be good enough to at least make the playoffs.
Chicago Bears best bet: To make the playoffs (-105)
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Detroit Lions
Things are looking up in Detroit. Aidan Hutchinson is healthy, Jahmyr Gibbs has his contract extension and expectations are high in the Motor City. Of course, the Terrion Arnold saga (now released) was far from ideal, but the Lions can make up for deficiencies in the secondary by putting pressure on opposing QBs with their pass rush or simply by outscoring opponents. Similar to the last couple of seasons, this feels like an all-or-nothing kind of team. It was one or two plays away from the Super Bowl in 2024 before finishing in last place in its division a season ago. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Lions find themselves on the right end of that extreme – if not even more – in 2026.
Detroit Lions best bet: To win the NFC (+930)
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Green Bay Packers
On paper, the Packers are good enough to win this division. That being, Micah Parsons is coming off a torn ACL in December and won’t be ready for the start of the season. Needless to say, that is the big blow to the defense. Can Love and the offense keep this team afloat in the meantime? There are no elite receivers on this roster, but Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft give Love plenty of options. With defenses being unable to focus on Kraft, I think he is in for a big year. The South Dakota State product caught seven touchdown passes in 2025 and finished with six last season despite playing in only eight games.
Green Bay Packers best bet: Tucker Kraft Over 5.5 touchdown receptions (+110)
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Minnesota Vikings
A quota of 8.5 wins seems a bit extreme for a team that projects to be mediocre at best. Kyler Murray has been named the starting quarterback (not surprisingly), which is an obvious upgrade over JJ McCarthy – but that’s not exactly saying a lot. Murray has the tools to succeed, largely because Justin Jefferson is his WR1. However, the rest of the pass-catching corps is unspectacular and running back Aaron Jones is on the wrong side of 30 (yes, 31 is old for his position). Minnesota’s defense should be a solid unit, but I’m not sure that’s enough to keep it out of the cellar in what could be one of the best divisions in football.
Minnesota Vikings best bet: Under 8.5 wins (+100)
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NFC North division predictions
- Detroit Lions
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
NFC North best bet: Bears/Lions top two in any order (+350)
I don’t love the value on Detroit to win the division as the favorite (+170), but throwing Chicago into the mix makes a top-two bet at +350 very enticing. Although the Vikings aren’t terrible, I’m not giving them much of a chance. The Packers are hurt by Parsons’ absence (probably Week 6 at the earliest), and it will be tough to gain ground on teams as good as the Lions and Bears if you get off to a slow start.
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NFL Division Predictions & Team-by-Team Guide
Want more NFL division predictions? We've covered all the other 7 divisions and given our best bets for EVERY team! Check 'em out below:
- AFC East Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - will it be the Buffalo Bills or New England Patriots that win the division?
- AFC North Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - get our top pick for the division featuring the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers
- AFC South Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - can the Jacksonville Jaguars repeat, or will the Houston Texans or Indianapolis Colts dethrone them?
- AFC West Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - will the Kansas City Chiefs bounce back? Will the Denver Broncos stay on top? Or can the LA Chargers pull through?
- NFC East Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - our expert's best bets for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles & Washington Commanders
- NFC South Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - who will be the best in the worst division in football?
- NFC West Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - in arguably the NFL's hottest division, will the LA Rams, Seattle Seahawks or San Francisco 49ers reign supreme?
