2024 NFC North Odds: Minnesota Vikings second-favorite after 3-0 start

David Schneidman Published: Sep 23 2024 16:30

The Minnesota Vikings sit atop of the NFC North at 3-0 following Week 3 action. What are their odds to finish first in the division?

Minnesota is +190 to win the NFC North following Week 3, trailing the Detroit Lions (+140), and ahead of the Green Bay Packers (+310) and Chicago Bears (+1000).

Entering the 2024 season, the Vikings were a +950 shot to win the NFC North, the longest odds in the division. Despite having a well-respected head coach in Kevin O’Connell and one of the top WRs in the game in Justin Jefferson, many believed the talent gap would be too much to overcome in a loaded division. Not to mention, rookie QB and No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy went down with a knee injury in preseason, forcing journeyman Sam Darnold into the starting role.

Three weeks into the new season, Darnold is performing like one of the top QBs in the league, Jefferson is back in all-world form, and second-year defensive coordinator Brian Flores has turned the Minnesota defense into one of, if not the best unit in the league.

In wins over the Giants, 49ers, and Texans, two of which are considered among the best teams in the NFL, the Vikings have allowed a grand total of 30 points (10 PPG), the second-fewest in the league behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (8.7 PPG).

The purple and gold held two of last year’s MVP candidates, QBs Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud, to a combined 2 TD and 3 INT, while allowing a grand total of 214 rushing yards (71.4/game) on the season.

Darnold has been lights out through three games, leading the NFL is TD passes (8) and QB rating (117.3).

Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.