- Oddsmakers opened the Detroit Lions (+165) as the favorite to win the NFC North.
- Detroit finished last in 2025 after securing two straight division titles.
- The Chicago Bears (+333) are third on the board to secure a second straight division title.
Here’s a look at the NFL odds for the NFC North division winner based on 2026 opening odds.Â
Arguably the strongest division features the Detroit Lions (+165) as favorites to win the title. Following closely behind Detroit are the Green Bay Packers (+185).
Chicago, which came through as 2025 division winners, is +333 to repeat as champions. Finally, the J.J. McCarthy-led Vikings are priced at +750 to win a second division title since 2022.
2026 NFC North Odds: Lions, Packers Lead the Quartet
NFC North Prediction 2026
Based on their easy schedule in 2026 and projected injury improvement, my NFC North prediction is for the Detroit Lions (+165) to win the division.Â
It probably didn’t feel good at the moment, but Detroit’s Week 17 loss at Minnesota benefitted them greatly in 2026.Â
Detroit’s loss granted Minnesota the tiebreaker with both teams finishing 9-8. Now, the Lions get a massive advantage in arguably the NFL’s hardest division.Â
Detroit’s unique opponents – Tennessee, New York (N) and Arizona – cumulatively possess an 18.5-game win total.Â
Next closest within the division? The Vikings at 26.5, with Green Bay and Chicago projected for 28.5 and 30.5, respectively.Â
By cumulative win totals, the Lions face the NFL’s easiest schedule in 2026. Green Bay places second in the NFC North, with the 16th-hardest schedule.Â
Even if you set those numbers aside, the Lions should expect massive improvement by two other factors.Â
Detroit finished a full win under expectation last season thanks to a 3-5 record in one-score games, per ftnfantasy.com.Â
Dan Campbell’s squad also lost all four games against Green Bay and Minnesota. Is that likely to happen again? Almost certainly not.Â
The Lions also dealt with a number of injuries last year while losing both coordinators. Detroit lost 326 games to injury last year, second to Chicago (336).Â
The difference? Chicago gets a first-place schedule while Detroit faces a last-place schedule.Â
Pair better injury fortune with an advantageous schedule, and I predict the Lions claim back the NFC North in 2026.
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