NFL Expert Picks – Breaking Down the NFC North

As we close in on the first of August, you all know what that means football fans. It’s time to look at some NFL expert picks!

With odds out on all eight NFL Divisions, let’s go ahead and take and see who’s favored to win the NFC North!

Green Bay Packers (+125): Despite finishing second to the Vikings in this division last year, it is actually the Green Bay Packers who come in favored. And rightfully so.

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The Packers have one of the best young arms in the league in Aaron Rodgers. The second-year starter had a great 2009 season, throwing for over 4,400 and 30 touchdowns, while cutting his interceptions down to just seven.

Bruising running back Ryan Grant will again get the bulk of the carries in Green Bay, after rushing for over 1,000 yards last year. Meanwhile, rookie offensive tackle Brian Bulaga was brought in to shore up the line.

Defensively, the Packers will again be amongst one of the toughest teams to pass against, as they led the NFL in interceptions in 2009 with 30. Charles Woodson took home the NFL’s Defensive MVP with nine of those picks.

Minnesota Vikings (+130): After ripping through the division and reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2009, the Minnesota Vikings are back, almost entirely intact. But now a year older, questions remain about the longevity and staying power of this team.

As we all know by now, so much hinges on the healthy return of quarterback Brett Favre, who turned back the clock last year, throwing for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns, compared to just seven interceptions. He has a deep receiving corps to throw to, led by Sidney Rice (83 receptions) and last year’s breakout rookie Percy Harvin. And of course returning in the backfield is one of the game’s most explosive big-play threats in Adrian Peterson.

Defensively, this team is as talented as ever. Jared Allen anchors the defensive line, and is coming off a career year, that saw him record 14.5 sacks and six tackles for loss. The back seven is deep, but will likely start the season with both linebacker E.J. Henderson and cornerback Cedric Griffin on the physically unable to perform list.

Will the Vikings repeat as NFC North champs? They have the talent. But it won’t be easy. 

Chicago Bears (+350): So here’s the bad news for those who took the Bears after reviewing last year’s NFL Expert picks: Chicago limped to a 7-9 record. The good news though, is that things seemingly can’t get much worse than they ended in 2009.

Everyone in Chicago will tell you the truth about last season: Quarterback Jay Cutler was a wild disappointment in 2009, throwing for an unheard of 26 interceptions, to go along with 27 touchdowns. Now with expectations a little more realistic in the Windy City, expect him to be better. It also seems safe to assume that running back Matt Forte will improve on his 938 rushing yards from a season ago.

On defense, there’s signs of hope as well in Chicago, as Julius Peppers (10.5 sacks) was brought in to shore up the pass rush.

Again, things can’t get much worse in Chicago than they were last year. And at the odds you’ll be getting them, there might not be better value in the NFL Expert Picks.

Detroit Lions (+2000): Realistically, no one expects these Lions to compete for a division crown. However, don’t expect Detroit to be the pushover they’ve been recently either.

The Lions come into 2010 with one of the best young pitch-and-catch combinations in the NFL, courtesy of young Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson. Stafford threw for over 2,200 yards in his first go around in the NFL last year, with Johnson making 67 catches for 984 yards. Rookie Jahvid Best could be in for big carries at running back.

But it’s on defense where the Lions look to be most formidable. After having one of the worst units anywhere in 2009, there’s no doubt they’ll go up, thanks to rookie defensive stud Ndamukong Suh at tackle and the addition of Kyle Vanden Bosch from Tennessee.

Things are finally looking up in Detroit. And while they aren’t a favorite just yet in the NFL Expert Picks, that day is coming.

Get your bet in now!