NFC North betting preview: Packers favored to win, Bears second pick

In one of the most competitive divisional races in the NFL, quarterbacks will once again take center stage in NFC North wagering, where Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are the -110 favorites.

The Packers are back in familiar territory after claiming the NFC North crown in each of the past three seasons, although last year was tougher than usual with Rodgers missing seven games due to a broken collarbone.

Green Bay (O/U 10.5 wins) will try to do a better job protecting its franchise player in 2014 and may even opt to run the ball a bit more with second-year running back Eddie Lacy coming off an impressive rookie campaign that saw him finish with 1,178 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

The biggest question mark for the Pack will come on defense though, as the team is still trying to replace the leadership of former defensive back Charles Woodson and brought in defensive end Julius Peppers to bolster the pass rush.

The Chicago Bears (O/U 8.5 wins) are 5/2 to win the NFC North and also need their star QB Jay Cutler to stay on the field in order to make a run at the playoffs. Cutler saw backup Josh McCown flourish in second-year head coach Marc Trestman’s offense a year ago and parlay that into a starting gig with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The weapons are certainly there, but the Bears’ defense could also show significant improvements with the additions of defensive ends Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston. They open at home to the Bills in a game some experts believe they will lose.

The Detroit Lions (O/U 8.5 wins) are 4/1 to win the division and would have won it last year if not for an epic collapse that ended up costing former head coach Jim Schwartz his job. The Lions dropped six of seven down the stretch following a 6-3 start that helped the Packers steal the NFC North title with an 8-7-1 mark.

Detroit QB Matthew Stafford will likely continue to put up great fantasy football numbers, but he will need to learn to look for other targets besides All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson. The Lions close the season with tough road games at Chicago and at Green Bay, so a strong start (they host the Giants on MNF) will again be crucial in Jim Caldwell’s first season at the helm as Schwartz’s replacement.

The Minnesota Vikings (O/U 6 wins) are 10/1 longshots in the North, and with good reason. Minnesota still has no balance on offense, although rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater could eventually change that.

Leading rusher Adrian Peterson remains the team’s offensive identity for the time being, and the Vikings will have to find a new leader on defense with Allen now playing in the Windy City for the Bears.