With the Green Bay Packers’ 2025 schedule now locked in, all roads lead to September and the 2025 NFL season. The Philadelphia Eagles will raise the curtain in the annual kickoff game when they welcome the Dallas Cowboys to the Linc in a contest that the reigning champions will be heavily favored to win. But for the Cheeseheads, a few nerves are jangling around Lambeau Field after the news that they will face some testing contests next season.
Outside of their NFC North commitments, the Packers have some cut-throat games lying in wait next season. They will host two Lombardi contenders in the form of last season’s beaten NFC Championship finalist Washington Commanders, and the AFC powerhouse Cincinnati Bengals, within the first six weeks of the new campaign. Add to that late-season trips to face both the defensively resolute Denver Broncos and the sensational Baltimore Ravens, and it’s clear that Green Bay will have to work hard if they are to reach the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons.
The Packers’ NFC North division is arguably the most competitive in the entire NFL. All four teams in the division will have very real hopes of topping the quartet and reaching the postseason at the end of the regular season. Here is how the bookies have things priced up three months out from the campaign getting underway.
Detroit Lions
The Lions have come a long way since their decades-long stint as a laughing stock within the NFC. Between 2000 and 2022, they reached the postseason just three times, and all of those particular trips ended in resounding defeats. However, under head coach Dan Campbell, the Motor City outfit has turned a corner and become a genuine contender.
In 2023, Detroit won the NFC North for the first time in history. Unsatisfied with that, they then went on to win their first postseason game in 32 years before going on to compete in their maiden NFC Championship game. In 2024, they continued in a similar vein, finishing as the NFC’s top seed with a stellar 15-2 record.
As a result, online real money gambling sites think they are well-positioned to continue their upward trajectory in 2025. The latest real money gambling at Bovada odds currently make them the +150 favorite to secure their third straight divisional title this season, not a bad place to be in because they hadn’t won a single one just a couple of years ago. Led by their now-matured star quarterback Jared Goff, the Lions scored the most points of anybody last season, and they will be aiming to pour it on once again next term. It does, however, remain to be seen whether they can rebound from their shocking upset defeat to the Washington Commanders in last season’s divisional round.
Green Bay Packers
After years of Aaron Rodgers dominating the headlines, Green Bay has fully embraced the Jordan Love era. Despite being somewhat unfancied by some Cheeseheads, the former Utah State standout has led his side to back-to-back playoff trips, throwing 62 touchdowns in the process. They are the best bet to take the fight to the Lions next season, with the bookies pricing them at +250 to win the division next term.
The Packers sought to bolster their offense in the offseason, drafting superstar wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round as well as Savion Williams in the third. Add to that the continued development of tight end Tucker Kraft, and Love will have plenty of targets in the air in 2025. Now, his side’s Lombardi hopes hinge on their quarterback’s ability to take the next step. If he does that, they will fancy their chances at not only reaching the playoffs but also mounting a deep postseason run.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings’ 2024 season followed a script that their fans have become used to. Once again, they shone in the regular season, finishing 14-3 and coming within a whisker of top seed status. But just as they have so many times over the years, their postseason fell apart at the first hurdle, losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the wildcard round.
In 2025, the Minneapolis outfit is considered a +375 to win the division, and they will have a different quarterback for the third season in a row. Last year, they turned the page from the Kirk Cousins era and got the very best out of Sam Darnold. Now, he too has departed, and sophomore J.J. McCarthy will get his opportunity under center. If he can seek out wide receiver Justin Jefferson regularly, then they too will fancy their chances of competing in the division.
Chicago Bears
After years of struggle, the Bears had genuine hopes of a competitive campaign in 2024. They selected a franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams, with the first overall pick of last year’s draft and immediately provided him with a shiny new primary target in the form of Rome Odunze. Unfortunately, however, both misfired, and Chicago only managed five wins all season – one against the Packers – and now the pressure is on for their new young stars to finally usher in an era of success.
Further offensive weapons have been brought in. Tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III were brought to the Windy City in the first and second rounds, respectively, and now Williams must develop an ability to find his targets on a regular basis if the Bears are to defy their +400 divisional odds.
