NFC North Odds: Lions Hold Slim Lead Over Electrifying Bears Entering Week 2
The NFC North race takes center stage as Detroit visits Buffalo on Thursday night following an eventful opening weekend. Can the Lions strengthen their position while Chicago’s explosive offense and Minnesota’s comeback win put pressure on the division favorite? Check out the latest NFC North winner odds and team breakdown ahead of Thursday, September 17.
Peter Alexis - September 17, 2026, 5:15 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadNFC North Odds: Will Lions Drop Behind Bears With a Loss on TNF?
Detroit remains the NFC North favorite at +155, but its opening victory offered little breathing room. The Lions needed overtime to escape New Orleans 31–30 and now face a quick turnaround for Thursday’s road matchup against Buffalo.
Chicago sits closest at +240 after overwhelming Carolina offensively, while Minnesota checks in at +425 following a comeback victory over Green Bay. The Packers have slipped to the longest price in the division at +500, leaving them chasing three teams that opened with wins.
2026 NFC North Odds
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2026 NFC North Odds Breakdown
Detroit Lions: +155 Check out these best odds at BetMGM Sportsbook
The Lions survived Week 1 behind an explosive performance from Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints. Scoring 31 points reinforced Detroit’s offensive potential, but needing overtime at home also highlighted how much cleaner the overall performance must become.
Thursday’s matchup with Buffalo provides an immediate test of Detroit’s favorite status. A road victory would deliver a 2–0 start before its division rivals play again, while a loss would give Chicago and Minnesota an opportunity to move ahead in the standings. Detroit still sets the market standard, but +155 reflects a competitive race.
Chicago Bears: +240 Check out these best odds at Caesars Sportsbook
Chicago delivered the division’s loudest offensive statement with a 59–37 victory over Carolina. Caleb Williams accounted for four touchdowns, while D’Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and three scores. The combination of quarterback production and a dominant running game gave the Bears multiple ways to overwhelm the Panthers.
That offensive ceiling makes Chicago a credible challenger at +240, although allowing 37 points prevents the opener from being a complete endorsement. The Bears showed they can win a shootout. Sustaining a division-title push will also require victories when the offense cannot produce that kind of scoring avalanche.
Minnesota Vikings: +425 Check out these best odds at Caesars Sportsbook
Minnesota’s 39–22 victory over Green Bay supplied something neither Detroit nor Chicago earned in Week 1: a division win. The Vikings recovered from an early deficit to take control, securing an initial head-to-head advantage over a direct rival.
At +425, Minnesota remains behind the Lions and Bears despite that meaningful result. The comeback demonstrated resilience, but avoiding another slow start would make the outlook more convincing. For now, the Vikings have already complicated Green Bay’s path and established themselves as a factor in the race.
Green Bay Packers: +500 Check out these best odds at BetMGM Sportsbook
Green Bay’s opener unraveled after it built a lead at Minnesota, turning a promising start into a 39–22 defeat. Losing control against a division opponent made the setback particularly costly, with the Packers immediately falling behind all three NFC North rivals.
The +500 price offers the division’s longest odds, but one game is too early to dismiss Green Bay. Its early lead showed the ability to compete; the collapse exposed the need to sustain that level. A quick response is essential before Detroit, Chicago or Minnesota creates a more substantial gap.
NFC North Outlook
Detroit retains the lead in the market, while Chicago presents the closest challenge after its offensive eruption. Minnesota owns an important early division result, and Green Bay has the most immediate ground to recover.
Lions vs. Bills kicks off Thursday at 8:15 p.m. Eastern on Prime Video. Detroit’s performance will provide the next major test of whether its +155 favorite status deserves to strengthen or whether the chasing pack should move closer.
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