Vikings odds to win NFC North in 2023 are quietly rising

As the Minnesota Vikings have been putting together wins during the last few weeks, they've also seen their odds to win the NFC North this season significantly improve.

Despite suffering a loss to the Denver Broncos in their most recent game, the odds of the Minnesota Vikings winning the NFC North this season have improved.

Since the start of the 2023 campaign, the Detroit Lions have been in the driver's seat to win the division, and heading into their Thanksgiving matchup against the Green Bay Packers, they had -1100 odds to win the NFC North, according to the DraftKings Sportsbook.

But then the Lions went ahead and lost to the Packers this past Thursday. The surprising loss resulted in Detroit's odds of winning the division dropping all the way to just -600.

Meanwhile, the Vikings have seen their odds to win the NFC North go from +1400 in Week 6 to +475 heading into their Monday night matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Can the Minnesota Vikings steal the NFC North from the Detroit Lions?

With a handful of games left to play this season, Minnesota surpassing Detroit to win the division is not something that can be ruled out yet.

Especially since it seems like the Vikings have an easier remaining schedule than the Lions. According to ESPN's NFL Football Power Index, Minnesota has the eighth-easiest remaining schedule this season, while Detroit has the 13th-hardest remaining schedule.

Also helping the Vikings is that they still get to play the Lions twice before the regular season comes to an end. If Minnesota can remain within two games of Detroit before the two teams face off in two of the final three weeks of the 2023 schedule, then the Vikings should have an opportunity to control their own destiny.

Will Minnesota find a way to overcome the odds and end the 2023 regular season with their second NFC North title in a row?