NFL Betting: NFC North Showdowns Highlight Division Rivalries Week 3

With the first two weeks of the NFL betting lines season already in the books, the NFC is scheduled for some divisional showdowns in the highly anticipated week three. The Detroit Lions have lived up to the lofty expectations that have been put on the franchise with a 2-0 start, and now take their show on the road to face the Minnesota Vikings week three. Meanwhile, the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers have opened the year with consecutive wins to set the tone for their season, and will face their toughest test this week with a trip to the Windy city to face the Chicago Bears.

Detroit Lions (-3.5) @ Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

It seems as though every year the team that the sports betting bonus media focuses on in the offseason to take the biggest step forward and contend in the NFC flops.

Last year both the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys were expected to contend for a Super Bowl, and both failed to make the postseason. However, the Detroit Lions have gone against that trend this season as the team projected to take the biggest step forward this year, and after opening with wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs they will look to make it three-of-a-kind this week against the Vikings. Contrary to the Lions, Minnesota has been among the biggest disappointments so far losing each of their first two games after leading in both. The Vikings had a 17-0 lead over the Buccaneers last Sunday at the half, but fell apart over the final two quarters in an eventual 24-20 loss. There is no reason to expect Minnesota to be much stronger this NFL picks week, so the Lions should continue to roll.

NFL Betting Pick: Detroit Lions – 3.5

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) @ Chicago Bears
Sunday, 4:15 PM ET

In similar fishing fashion to the New England Patriots in the AFC, the Packers have proven that if the opponent makes mistakes on offense, they will not have a chance to keep up with them on the scoreboard while rolling to consecutive wins to open their season. After trucking through the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay actually trailed the Carolina Panthers on the road in week two before Aaron Rodgers and the offense got going and scored 23 second-half points to prevail 30-23. Rodgers has already thrown for 620 yards and six touchdowns, and with the tandem of Ryan Grant and James Starks running the ball hard the Packers’ offense has looked unstoppable. Defensively, Green Bay has struggled against the air attack with the league’s 32nd ranked pass defense through two games. That number is uncharacteristic of a unit that was dominant last year, and they could round in to form against Jay Cutler and the Bears. Cutler was livid at his offensive line after being rocked by the Saints a couple of times last week, and the Packers should bring a ton of sports betting pressure to upset him again.

NFL Betting Pick: Green Bay Packers – 3.5