A capsule look at the NFC North heading into the 2025 season, with teams listed in predicted order of finish.
Detroit Lions
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 10-1; Over-under win total: 10.5
Strengths: Their championship window won’t last forever, but the Lions still field a pretty complete roster. They have exceptional playmakers on both sides of the ball, especially the elite backfield duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Biggest reason for optimism: Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is back from the season-ending leg injury that loomed over Detroit’s 45-31 divisional-round loss to Washington.
Weaknesses: Not many. You can nitpick quarterback Jared Goff after his four-turnover performance in the playoffs, or worry about Frank Ragnow’s retirement from the offensive line, or quibble with Detroit’s schematic potential after losing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (replaced by ex-Broncos pass game coordinator John Morton). But if this roster is healthy, it should remain a Super Bowl contender.
Green Bay Packers
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 22-1; Over-under win total: 9.5
Strengths: Still one of the youngest squads in the NFL, Green Bay has reached the playoffs twice in a row with ample room left over to keep improving throughout the roster. Josh Jacobs is fresh off a 1,300-yard rushing season, Jordan Love is protected by a sturdy offensive line, and safety Xavier McKinney was one of the most dynamic defensive backs in the league last year.
Weaknesses: Love has evolved into one of the more polarizing quarterbacks in the league, his upside offset by his inconsistency. Mileage varies on whether he’s a worthy franchise QB for one of the NFL’s most storied teams. Green Bay’s defensive line was a weakness in 2024, and questions remain at cornerback surrounding McKinney. Youth could be a blessing or a curse for the Packers. They went 1-5 within the division last year.
Chicago Bears
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 40-1; Over-under win total: 8.5
Strengths: Welcome to the big seat, Ben Johnson. Is the grass greener in Chicago than the turf was in Detroit? The Bears’ new mad scientist of a head coach is under tremendous pressure to maximize a talented offensive line and a sophomore quarterback who underperformed last year. This team was good enough to win eight games, but it was held back by a few of the stupidest endings of the decade so far.
Weaknesses: About that quarterback: Caleb Williams was drafted No. 1 overall into a pretty favorable situation, making his rookie season an abject failure (particularly relative to the No. 2 pick). By most metrics, he was among the worst starting QBs in the league. Da Bears tried to invest in skill players around him this offseason, drafting a tight end in the first round and a receiver in the second. Not to mention the hire of Johnson. Is all of that enough?
Minnesota Vikings
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 25-1; Over-under win total: 8.5
Strengths: The Vikings tied for the second-best record in the NFC in 2024, and they still have the best pass-catcher in the sport in Justin Jefferson, not to mention Jordan Addison’s helping hands. Their pass rush is suffocating and multi-faceted — Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard alone might be dominant enough to make Minnesota a top-10 defense in spite of a less talented secondary.
Weaknesses: Letting Sam Darnold walk after a career year is a big gamble on JJ McCarthy, whose rookie season was delayed by a torn meniscus. Minnesota is pretty much rolling out the red carpet for him now. The job is his, fresh off a months-long recovery, with a team that’s supposed to have championship-caliber expectations. It’s a fragile situation on paper, especially considering the flimsy offensive line play that helped doom Darnold last year.
