While the NFC East and NFC South seem to be getting the most attention, perhaps the most competitive division in the conference right now is the NFC North, where the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers lead an impressive trio of teams that will contend for a playoff spot this season. While the Packers remain the NFL’s lone undefeated team, the Detroit Lions will look to rebound from their first loss this weekend, while the Chicago Bears look to make an NFL statement that they should not be overlooked. Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (At London)
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
One week after dismantling the Minnesota Vikings, the Bears will look to close the gap between them and the Lions even further with a trip to London, England, where they will clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers bounced back from their worst defeat in franchise history against the San Francisco 49ers to beat the New Orleans Saints and move into first place in their division last week, but they remain one of the teams that Chicago will likely battle for a Wild Card spot. While the Bears should be able to continue to beat some of the inferior opponents that they face in the NFC, Tampa Bay is a legitimate playoff team and should be able to cause price per head matchup problems for Chicago on both sides of the ball.
NFL Betting Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1
Atlanta Falcons @ Detroit Lions
Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
Many were shocked that the Lions weren’t able to continue their strong start against the 49ers, but they won’t have much time to reflect with another hungry team coming in to town in the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons bounced back from a loss to Green Bay with a win over the Carolina Panthers, and unless Detroit is able to create some disruption in the Atlanta backfield they could be in trouble. The Lions should be able to move the ball a lot easier this week with Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson looking to bounce back, but any sports betting victory will begin with a better effort from the defense.
NFL Betting Pick: Detroit Lions – 3.5
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 4:15 PM ET
Only a year ago this would have been considered a marquee matchups, but instead this Sunday it is a chance to see how well rookie Christian Ponder will hold up against the defending Super Bowl champions. The Packers are trucking through every opponent that they face, and unless Ponder can operate at a Pro Bowl level in his first career NFL start, this one shouldn’t be close. Green Bay is once again a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and so far they have showed no pay per head signs of slowing down.
NFL Betting Picks: Green Bay Packers – 8.5
