Vikings Given 2-1 Odds to Win NFC North; Is There Value?
- Vikings have won NFC North twice in last four years
- Tough schedule ahead for Minnesota with road games vs. KC, Dallas and Seattle
- Despite opening hiccup, bet on the Bears at +210
The Minnesota Vikings couldn’t have asked for a better start to the NFL season.
The Vikings’ run-heavy offense was on full display Sunday, posting 172 yards on the ground en route to a convincing victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Following Minnesota’s season-opening win, oddsmakers released the latest NFL divisional odds and listed the Vikings at +200 to win the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers, who also won their opening game against the Chicago Bears, come in as the +160 favorites.
2020 NFC North Betting Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | +160 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +200 |
| Chicago Bears | +210 |
| Detroit Lions | +1400 |
*Odds taken September 9, 2019
Dalvin Cook rushed for 111 yards and two TDs on 21 carries, while backup running back Alexander Mattison had nine carries for 49 yards.
"This is a very, very good Minnesota #Vikings team – one that starts 1-0." – Voice of the Vikings @PAOnTheMic
📺: https://t.co/Cufqs9ry3W pic.twitter.com/PES7vjNlsq
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 8, 2019
Vikings starting quarterback Kirk Cousins was efficient when he had to be despite only throwing ten passes in the game and completing eight of those attempts.
Sunday’s victory marked the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in six years that the Vikings have won the opening game of the NFL regular season.
Minnesota has won two NFC North titles in the last four years, the last coming in 2017 when the Vikes topped the division with a 13-3 record before losing the NFC championship to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Minny Worth the Money?
The first thing to consider is the team’s schedule. Minnesota is on the road for four of the next six games with stops in Green Bay and Chicago — not exactly the easiest places to pick up wins, especially this early in the season.
Minnesota’s schedule gets progressively tougher by mid-season, with road games in Kansas City, Dallas and Seattle.
The Vikings were one of three NFC North teams to miss the playoffs in 2018 after finishing with an average record of 8-7. The club struggled on the road (3-4-1) and finished 3-2-1 against divisional rivals.
Can Cousins Lead the Way?
When the NFC North odds opened this spring, the Vikings were listed among the favorites at +200. By mid-summer the Vikings were as long as +230 before eventually shortening to +175, where they stand now.
If the Vikings want to remain NFC North contenders, they are going to need yet another solid season from Cousins. Entering his second season in Minnesota, Cousins had a strong 2018 campaign where he posted a 70.1% completion rating, 4,298 passing yards with 30 touchdowns.
Kirk Cousins has perfected the Dad Dance pic.twitter.com/ZudXNZvJnt
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 8, 2019
However, if the first game is any indication, the Vikings may want to be a run-first team this season, which could mean Cousins takes a step back offensively. Cousins has thrown for 4,000 or more yards in the last four seasons.
Who’s the Best Bet?
If the Vikings aren’t the top pick, which team could come out of the NFC North in 2019?
The defending NFC North champion Bears got off to a rocky start, scoring just three points in an opening loss to the Packers. However, a quick glance at Chicago’s regular season schedule will reveal the Bears have an easier path to first place than the Vikings — or the Packers for that matter — do this season.
"I'm just glad to be out here on the field again…"@dalvincook met up with @ShannonSpake postgame after scoring 2 TDs in Week 1 ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/V4VwPy5Hsn
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2019
Let’s not forget just how good the Bears’ run defense is, either. Chicago allowed the fewest yards per game (80 YDS/G) against opposing running backs last season.
If quarterback Mitchell Trubisky can sort out the passing game and David Montgomery becomes the running back everyone expects him to be, the Bears at +210 should be a top betting choice to win the division.
Angelo Montilla is a writer, visual design instructor and graphic designer based on the East Coast. As a journalism graduate, his experience in the media industry spans more than 15 years and includes work with Nation Network, SportsBreak, Featurd, Hockey Writers and the Windsor Star.
