NFC North Division Exact Finishing Order in 2017
By Loot, NFL Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
In addition to just betting on who will win a division in an NFL regular season, you can bet on which teams will occupy second, third, and fourth place in the standings, as well. It's a challenging position to make those picks, but as one can see by taking a peek at the odds, the rewards can be robust. It's just that not a lot of people really think in terms of which teams will finish in spots other than first place. But you should start thinking that way.
After all, it's a fairly untested market where there is a lot of room for enterprising bettors to capitalize. While most NFL futures and prop betting gamblers are trying to figure who will win the divisions, there is some upside to looking at the other positions. In this bet, you have two choices. One side of the bet is that a team will finish in a specific position—namely second, third, or fourth place. The other side of the bet is that they'll finish in any other spot but the one stated.
The NFC North has been a division with a clear top dog at the top, with the Green Bay Packers having won the division 5 of the last 6 seasons, with a second-place finish in the mix. They are naturally the favorites to win the NFC North again, but those willing to take an alternative viewpoint can really stand to benefit. After winning the division in 2015, the Minnesota Vikings looked poised to repeat after a 5-0 start to 2016, but they went 3-8 in their last 11 games. Detroit has been second in two of the last three seasons and despite being one of the streakiest teams, they can also string together a bunch of wins when they're on-point. While the Chicago Bears look to be in bad shape, there is some good value if you think they will rise from the NFC North cellar this season.
There is a lot to take into consideration when making these bets. You need to look at any personnel changes that occurred that could throw a different light on things. Also ponder how easy or difficult it will be for a team to have a completely different season than what is being forecasted. Green Bay, for example, is a rightful favorite, but what if Aaron Rodgers had a season-ending injury early in the season? Let's look at the betting odds for the exact finishing order for teams in the NFC North Division. We will include our commentary on each bet with our take on whether it's worthy of a bet. Check it out!
Chicago finishes 2nd in NFC North +825
Any other result -1725
Our Take: While one could stretch the dimensions of reality and make a case for this happening, it seems like there are easier ways to get +825 on your money than this.
Chicago finishes 3rd in NFC North +350
Any other result -530
Our Take: Let's assume some things click, while Green Bay Minnesota, or Detroit fall off markedly, this isn't unforeseeable. Picking Chicago last could be the overly-obvious move and we think there is some value at +325.
Chicago finishes 4th in NFC North -300
Any other result +220
Our Take: It's a chalky pick and for good reason. A good case can be made for Chicago being even worse this season. They're not a great candidate for a team that could surprise this season and their ceiling seems low. Still, at -300, it seems almost too easy to make this pick.
Detroit finishes 2nd in NFC North +210
Any other result -290
Our Take: There is no Detroit preseason argument that is without merit, regardless of the range of opinions. While it might be unrealistic that Detroit will beat out both Green Bay and Minnesota in the standings, a pretty solid stance can be taken that they will beat out one of those two teams.
Detroit finishes 3rd in NFC North +110
Any other result -150
Our Take: This is a very realistic case to make. It's not hard to envision at all. But despite a lot of common sense tied to making a pick like this, getting just a smidgen better than even-money doesn't ring of great value. Getting -150 for any other position seems like the better move.
Detroit finishes 4th in NFC North +375
Any other result -565
Our Take: It's not like Detroit is a team that never gets into a big old funk. Some bad luck, a critical injury, Chicago being better than expected, or any number of things could make this a reality. And if it does, +375 will be looking pretty good.
Green Bay finishes 2nd in NFC North +245
Any other result -335
Our Take: Despite being the class of the division, it's not like the Green Bay recipe for success isn't easily-disrupted potentially. If things just don't click this season, this is a very likely landing spot.
Green Bay finishes 3rd in NFC North +925
Any other result -1875
Our Take: This would require either the division to be a lot stronger than forecasted or for the Packers to suffer a major slide. If inclined to take long-shots, this isn't a bad one at nearly 10-to-1.
Green Bay finishes 4th in NFC North +3500
Any other result -13500
Our Take: The payoff would be tasty at +3500, but is it throwing away money? Since 1991, this has happened only once and that was a lot easier to see coming than this would be. Still, a lot of crazy-sounding things can be justified at 35-to-1 odds.
Minnesota finishes 2nd in NFC North +140
Any other result -180
Our Take: A 5-0 start dissolved into a 3-8 finish last season, but there are people who are rightfully optimistic of the Vikings' chances, with second-place being the go-to choice for most experts. Not a ton of value here at just +140.
MAKE NFL FUTURES AND PROP BETS JUST LIKE THIS ONE AT THE WEB'S BEST SPORTSBOOK: 5DIMES
Minnesota finishes 3rd in NFC North +180
Any other result -260
Our Take: This is where they landed after their difficult end to last season. This one depends on which side of the fence you stand on with the '17 Vikes. If you think they'll be more or less the same as last season, +180 can be justified for third, as can -260 for "any other result" for those who see things going better.
Minnesota finishes 4th in NFC North +600
Any other result -1200
Our Take: A lot would have to go wrong to bring about this result. Say what you will about Minnesota, but at the very least, their hopes aren't all tied up in one player. And if everything went wrong, getting +600 doesn't seem like enough. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today and bet on the exact finishing order of the NFC North Division by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 100% sign-up bonus!
