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2013 NFC North Gambling Odds | Free 2013 NFL Predictions

NFL Previews – 2013 NFC North Betting

We are rapidly closing-in on the start of a brand new NFL season as all 32 teams are busy preparing for the start of training camp later this week.

Bovada has already released its NFL futures odds for a number of different categories, but the ones we are most interested in are a team’s chances to win its division. This time around we will take a closer look at the NFC North.

Green Bay Packers -160

The Packers have been the cream of the crop in the NFC North with Mike McCarthy as head coach with 10 or more victories in five of the last six seasons. They went 11-5 last season which was good enough to secure the division title.

The bar is always raised higher than that in Green Bay as it has its sights set on a return to the Super Bowl.

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As long as Aaron Rodgers is behind center there is no reason to bet against the Packers winning the North again. However, the addition of both Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin through the draft gives you a solid reason to bet heavily on Green Bay to win the division.

These two backs have a great chance at turning around a running game that was ranked 20th in the NFL last season.

Chicago Bears +350

Bears’ fans are counting on the addition of offensive guru Marc Trestman as the team’s new head coach to be just what Jay Cutler needs to assume his position as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. Even with all the problems Chicago endured last season it still won 10 games, so this could be the missing piece that puts it over the top in 2013.

The problem is the gaping hole that has been left in the middle of the defense by the loss of veteran linebacker Brian Urlacher, who decided to retire after getting released by the team.

While his athletic skills had diminished over the past few seasons, Urlacher remained the heart and soul of a defense that had always been the heart and soul of this team.

Detroit Lions +500

Detroit won 10 games in 2011 and made the playoffs as a wildcard team so last season’s sudden fall to 4-12 was certainly unexpected. This team has been stockpiling talent through the draft ever since it lost all 16 games in 2008, but it still has had its fair share of problems playing consistent football as a team. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

This season the spotlight will be on quarterback Matthew Stafford, who will be entering his fifth year in the league with a fat new contract extension. He already has the best wide receiver in the game in Calvin Johnson and a new running threat in Reggie Bush so the excuses for another poor season will be running thin.

The Lions also need all that high-priced talent on the defensive side of the ball to step things up after finishing the 2012 season ranked 27th in the NFL in points allowed.

Minnesota Vikings +600

The Vikings stunned everyone and possibly even themselves last season with a 10-6 record and trip to the playoffs, but very few of us are convinced they can sustain that success in 2013. The reason is in the numbers. Other than Adrian Peterson’s incredible performance running the ball with a league-high 2,097 yards, this team was filled with smoke and mirrors last year.

The offense behind quarterback Christian Ponder was ranked 20th in the NFL overall and 31st in passing yards per game. The defense was ranked 16th overall and 24th against the pass. Minnesota will be counting on another huge performance by Peterson which is a dangerous thing to do with a running back that has been used heavily and entering his seventh season in the league.

The Oddsmakers got this one right as the Vikings return to the basement in the NFC North.

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By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.