With expectations higher for them in 2023, the Detroit Lions are the early favorite to win the NFC North.
The last time the Detroit Lions won their division, 1993, the NFC North did not exist. It was called the NFC Central back then. Thirty years later, coming off a winning season in 2022, the Lions actually carry some burden of outside expectations as a team on the rise.
Dan Campbell is the early favorite to win 2023 NFL Coach of the Year, which isn’t surprising.
With the Green Bay Packers dealing with the Aaron Rodgers situation, the Minnesota Vikings one of the most fortunate teams in the league (and probably league history, in some respects) last year and the Chicago Bears, well being the Bears, the Lions have a case to be the best team in the NFC North next season.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Lions are the early favorite to win the NFC North in 2023.
Lions: +150
Vikings: +270
Packers: +310
Bears: +475
From Week 9 on last season, here’s how the Lions ranked in some categories among all the teams in the league (h/t to Pride of Detroit).
8-2 record (fourth)
+78 point differential (second)
Fifth in overall DVOA
Second in offensive EPA
21st in defensive EPA
The Lions go into the offseason with solid cap space (and a path to creating a lot more) and four picks in the top-60 of the draft to give them enviable resources, in the league and certainly within the division this side of the Bears–who have the unique combination of a ton of cap space, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and the long path to winning tied to those things.
In a certain light, albeit here in early March, it would be an upset if the Lions don’t win the NFC North next season.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.