The 2026 NFL season is just around the corner, which means it’s time for our annual previews for each division in the league. Kicking things off with arguably the most competitive division in the NFL, it’s the NFC North.
Coming off a season chock-full of surprises, dramatic finishes, and competitive clashes, the NFC North promises to once again be a bloodbath as four playoff contenders go head-to-head. In 2025, it was the Chicago Bears who picked up their first division title since 2018, edging out the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings.
The only division in the NFL where all four teams had a winning record, the Packers would break into the postseason thanks to a tie held against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, giving them the edge over the 9-8 Lions and Vikings who’d go on to miss the postseason.
With all four squads hungry for a divison championship, get some skin in on this stacked foursome, and place your bets using our expert NFC North division odds, predictions, and betting previews below.
Thanks for reading our NFL Divisional Preview Series! Be sure to check out our previews for all eight divisions as they become available!
AFC North – AFC South – AFC East – AFC West – NFC North – NFC South – NFC East – NFC West
Detroit Lions to Win the Super Bowl
Detroit Lions
Super Bowl Odds: +1800
To Win Conference Odds: +900
Division Odds: +165
Odds to Make Playoffs: Yes (-200-) No (+155)
Season Win Total: Over 10.5 (-130) Under 10.5 (+100)
2025 Record: 9-8
Key Additions: RB Isiah Pacheco, TE Tyler Conklin, CB Rock Ya-Sin
Key Subtractions: T Taylor Decker, RB David Montgomery, LB Alex Anzalone, CB Terrion Arnold
Most Important Game on the Schedule: Set for their first test of the year, the Lions most important game will come early in the season as they take on the Buffalo Bills on the road on Thursday Night Football. In a battle of Super Bowl contenders, this will be a true litmus test of this year’s team’s ability. After squandering key opportunities in 2025, this clash will set the tone for their 2026 campaign, measuring their ability to go toe-to-toe with the NFL’s best.
Prop to Watch: One of the game’s top wide receivers, expect yet another impressive showing from two-time First Team All-Pro, Amon-Ra St. Brown as he racks up Over 103.5 receptions in 2026. The definition of consistency, St. Brown has been electric over the last four seasons, grabbing Over 103.5 receptions each year. The head of the snake in the Lions’ dynamic passing attack, expect another Offensive Player of the Year calibre season from St. Brown as he continues to be one of the best wideouts in the NFL.
Potential Breakout Player: Set for a career year in his sophomore season in the NFL, look for increased output from Lions wide receiver Isaac Teslaa in 2026. While it was overall a quiet rookie campaign for Teslaa, the big-bodied wideout began to flourish as a go-to end zone threat for the blue & white. Hauling in six touchdown passes on just 16 total receptions on the year, Teslaa finished the season strong with four scores in the Lions final six games. Now with a complete season behind him, look for Teslaa to become a featured piece in the Lions offence, earning increased looks in the offensive game plan, as well as still serving as top red zone target.
Betting Projection: After last year’s disappointment, coupled with some big losses within their lineup, there’s certainly reason to feel uneasy about this year’s Lions team. But I’m here to alleviate some stress and assure you that the Pride is set to be back on track, winning the NFC North and propelling themselves back into Super Bowl contention this season. While they may not win the NFC Championship, the Lions have the experience, chemistry, and talent to win the division and make a competitive run into the NFL Playoffs.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Over 103.5 Receptions
Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl Odds: +5000
To Win Conference Odds: +2200
Division Odds: +500
Odds to Make Playoffs: Yes (+155) No (-200)
Season Win Total: Over 8.5 (-110) Under 8.5 (-110)
2025 Record: 9-8
Key Additions: QB Kyler Murray, WR Jauan Jennings, P Johnny Hekker
Key Subtractions: DT Jonathan Allen, DT Javon Hargrave, C Ryan Kelly, S Harrison Smith
Most Important Game on the Schedule: Kicking off the season with a major matchup. The Vikings Week 1 tilt against the Packers will set the tone for the year to come in Minneapolis. After a shaky offensive season for the Vikes with the lacklustre play of rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, the attention has now turned to new QB1, K1, Kyler Murray. Looking to re-cement himself as a top quarterback in the NFL, this will be a terrific early test for the new-look Vikings, as well as giving football fans a better sense of what the Vikings offence will look like this season, as they hope to carry the load for a defence that’s set to struggle in 2026.
Prop to Watch: Coming off a career-low in touchdown receptions, look for a bounce-back season for former Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson as he tallies Over 6.5 receiving touchdowns in 2026. Arguably the best wide receiver in football, J Jettahs had a forgettable regular season campaign as the putrid quarterback play of the Vikings prevented him from getting the football downfield, limiting him to the worst numbers of his NFL career. With the offence seemingly now fully-loaded and ready to perform, expect big things from Jefferson as he hits paydirt regularly for the Vikes this year.
Potential Breakout Player: Entering his fifth season in the NFL, expect this year to be the breakout season for running back Jordan Mason. After splitting snaps in the backfield with serviceable veteran Aaron Jones in 2025, look for Mason to take full control of most touches in 2026. Four years younger than his counterpart, Jones, Mason excels at using his formidable size and physicality to generate yardage downfield, as well as serving as a dependable goal-line option. Look for Mason to finally work his way into unquestioned RB1 form, potentially earning his first 1,000-yard rushing season.
Betting Projection: While oddsmakers have them pegged to finish at the bottom of the NFC North standings, I feel confident in zagging on that take, instead hammering them to make the NFL Playoffs and finish with Over 8.5 wins on the season. As the Packers seemingly sat on their hands this offseason, and the Bears downgraded at key positions, I believe the Vikes will outplay them during regular season play and sit just behind the Lions as they jockey for a division title.
Vikings to Make the 2026 NFL Playoffs
Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl Odds: +2000
To Win Conference Odds: +1000
Division Odds: +230
Odds to Make Playoffs: Yes (-140) No (+110)
Season Win Total: Over 9.5 (-130) Under 9.5 (+100)
2025 Record: 9-7-1
Key Additions: WR Skyy Moore, DT Javon Hargrave, LB Zaire Franklin
Key Subtractions: WR Romeo Doubs, EDGE Rashan Gary, G Elgton Jenkins
Most Important Game on the Schedule: Ultimately, the Packers season and future, all hang in the balance based on the health and play of three-time First Team All-Pro Micah Parsons. After tearing his ACL last season, the Packers defence nose-dived in production, with Parsons absence hitting like a mack truck. With his expected return coming in Week 6 against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, this first look at Parsons could be the difference in competing for a division title or missing the playoffs entirely.
Prop to Watch: Having failed to capture the lightning in a bottle from his first season as a starter in the NFL, look for Packers quarterback Jordan Love to get back on track as he passes for Over 3549.5 yards in 2026. After missing this mark narrowly in back-to-back seasons, look for Love to take charge of his team and serve as a driving force in the offence in order to generate big plays. With a roundtable of dependable wide receiving threats to choose from, expect Love to wheel-and-deal his way to at least 3550 passing yards as he aims to reach 4,000 yards through the air for the second-time in his career.
Potential Breakout Player: Coming off a subpar rookie campaign in the NFL, expect a much better year from former first-round pick Matthew Golden in his second year as a pro. After failing to register a touchdown over the course of 14 games played in 2025, Golden simply never found his footing in the Packers offence. Having now had a full season to acclimate himself to the NFL, as well as build chemistry alongside Jordan Love, expect a breakout year from the Packers wide receiver as he looks to live up to the hype surrounding him when he entered the league.
Betting Projection: Overall, the Packers are a tricky team to gauge, as their ceiling and floor are at opposite ends of the spectrum. After taking everything into account, look for the Packers to find their game offensively, as well as explode in defensive production in the second half of the season once Micah Parsons returns to the lineup, resulting in them snagging one of the last postseason spots and extending their playoff streak to four in a row.
Jordan Love Over 3549.5 Passing Yards
Chicago Bears
Super Bowl Odds: +2500
To Win Conference Odds: +1400
Division Odds: +320
Odds to Make Playoffs: Yes (+100) No (-130)
Season Win Total: Over 9.5 (+100) Under 9.5 (-130)
2025 Record: 11-6
Key Additions: C Garrett Bradbury, LB Devin Bush, S Coby Bryant
Key Subtractions: WR DJ Moore, LB Tremaine Edmunds, S Kevin Byard, S Jaquan Brisker
Most Important Game on the Schedule: After an uber-successful 2025 campaign, the Bears fell to the Los Angeles Rams in a closely contested clash in the NFC Divisional round. Looking to prove they have what it takes to take on elite competition under the bright lights, look no further than Week 8 for the most important game of the season when they take on the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Seattle Seahawks, on Monday Night Football. At the midway mark of the season, this tilt will determine if the Bears are the Monsters of the Midway or just a halfway-mid roster.
Prop to Watch: Beginning to live up to his highly-touted potential as a prospect, quarterback Caleb Williams truly broke out in his second year as a pro. Tallying 27 touchdown passes for just under 4,000 yards last season, back the franchise cornerstone to continue playing at a high level, throwing Over 24.5 passing touchdowns in 2026. With a reliable receiving core built around Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Colston Loveland, Williams has no shortage of weapons to utilize when letting the pigskin fly and is set to hit for plus money (+100) on this player prop bet.
Potential Breakout Player: Coming off a mundane rookie season, look for an increased role and overall output from Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III. An elite downfield threat with tremendous speed, Burden could become a dangerous weapon in the Bears offensive arsenal. After finishing the year as one of Caleb Williams top targets, Burden is poised for a big year in 2026, easily surpassing his production from his first year in the NFL.
Betting Projection: While the Bears still have terrific upside, expect them to take a step backward this season, finishing at the bottom of the NFC North and missing the NFL Playoffs outright. Seemingly getting worse this offseason after downgrading slightly at several key positions, unless one of the skill players on offence can break out to an elite level, the Bears simply won’t have the firepower to compete with the upper echelon of the NFC. Much to the shigrin of Chicago sports fans, the profitable money is on fading the Bears in 2026.
