The 2024 NFL season is well underway following the new campaign's opening week, and there are already plenty of talking points. The Kansas City Chiefs reigned supreme at Super Bowl LVIII and they kicked off their bid for an unprecedented threepeat by dispatching the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead in a repeat of last year's AFC Championship game.
The Lombardi-hopeful Cincinnati Bengals continued their dismal opening season form under Zac Taylor, losing at home to the New England Patriots at Paycor stadium despite being the biggest favorites heading into the opening weekend.
For the Detroit Lions, they continued in the same fashion that saw them reach the NFC Championship game last term. They beat the Los Angeles Rams in overtime at Ford Field in a rematch from the wildcard game from last season's playoffs, a game which the Motor City outfit also won. This time around, it was running back David Montgomery who was the hero, rushing home to secure a 26-20 victory and start the campaign perfectly.
All four of the NFC North's contenders were in action on the NFL's opening weekend with differing results. Let's take a look at where said results have left each team in terms of the betting odds for divisional glory.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions began their season with that aforementioned hard-fought victory against the Rams, ensuring that Matthew Stafford's return to the city in which he is so beloved was another disappointing one. The result reinforced their status as the favorites to clinch the division, with the latest online football betting odds pricing them as low as -150 to claim the crown for the second straight year.
Jared Goff threw for a respectable 217 yards and one touchdown, but he was somewhat overshadowed by the performance of his opposite number. Former Lion Stafford racked up a mighty 34 completions from 49 attempts, picking up 317 yards in the process, but that wasn't enough to secure the victory. Match-winner Montgomery also chipped in with an impressive performance, racking up 97 yards on the ground as well as the game-winning touchdown.
Now, attention immediately turns to the future. The Lions have tough tests on the horizon, facing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers side that just routed the Washington Commanders, as well as a rejuvenated Arizona Cardinals outfit that gave the Buffalo Bills all they could handle on week one. Coming through those tests unscathed will be crucial for Detroit's divisional chances.
Chicago Bears
Heading into the new season, a new-look Chicago Bears offense was the talk of the entire NFC. After drafting quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze with the first and eighth overall picks in the recent draft, they were expected to push the Lions in the battle for the NFC North. However, on week one, those two misfired, and it was their once shaky defense that stole the show.
The Bears were 17-0 down at home to the Tennessee Titans at one point in their curtain raiser. However, defensive and special teams’ heroics were about to stem the tide. Jonathan Owens' punt block touchdown and Tyrique Stevenson's 43-yard pick-six were enough to turn things around and hand the Windy City side the victory, despite their misfiring offense. The much-hyped Williams picked up just 93 yards on his NFL debut and he will have to improve if the Bears are to reach the postseason this term.
Thanks to the lackluster display of both the number one draft pick and their former Washington Huskies wide receiver, the Bears' odds on winning the NFC North have drifted to +350, despite their victory. However, Williams will feel that he has plenty of room for improvement, and that progress must come now with tough tests against the Texans and the Rams on the horizon.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers were expected to push the Lions in the race for divisional honors. They reached the divisional round of the postseason last term while quarterback Jordan Love announced himself to the league as a genuine star, receiving a record-breaking new contract in the postseason for his dazzling displays. However, disaster struck in their season opener in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Love was downed with a potentially serious injury that could see him miss much of the 2024 season. If that wasn't bad enough, the Cheeseheads also slumped to a 34-29 defeat in a high-scoring affair. Before his exit, Love displayed flashes of brilliance, connecting with rookie standout Jayden Reed for 138 yards. But now, with the former Utah State standout on the injury list and with the Packers already suffering a defeat, their odds on divisional glory have slipped out to +600.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings had a commanding 28-6 victory over the New York Giants, with quarterback Sam Darnold leading the charge. But despite that, the Minneapolis-based outfit is still considered the rank outsider in the division. Following the departure of quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings are very much in a rebuilding phase.
Darnold’s efficient play and two touchdown passes set the tone in their opening-day victory, while Aaron Jones was also effective on the ground contributing 94 rushing yards. But despite that, a victory against a bang-average Giants side is hardly a statement-maker, and Minnesota will need to beat more illustrious teams if they are to announce themselves as contenders.
