Bridgewater Injury Opens Door For Packers In NFC North


For the second straight year, a pre-season injury has had a major impact on the NFC North.

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater dislocated his knee and tore his ACL during a drill Tuesday, and he’ll miss the entire 2016 season.

Last year, an injury to Jordy Nelson disrupted the Packers offence as Minnesota beat out Green Bay to win the NFC North.

The Bridgewater injury could be even more damaging to the Vikings, considering they don’t have much behind him at QB. 36-year-old Shaun Hill is the incumbent pivot for Minnesota, though the Vikings are expected to look for other quarterbacks before the season starts.

How Does Bridgewater Injury Affect The NFC North Betting Odds?

A week ago, 5Dimes gave the Packers a 60% chance (-150 odds) to win the NFC North. Minnesota was listed at +180, with the Bears and Lions both longshots.

TEAM 5Dimes
PACKERS -150
VIKINGS +180
BEARS +1200
LIONS +1100

After the Bridgewater injury, the updated NFC North betting odds make the Packers -275 favourites, which suggests a 73.3% probability. Minnesota is now +350, implying a 22.2% chance to win the NFC North.

TEAM 5Dimes
PACKERS -275
VIKINGS +350
BEARS +1100
LIONS +1200

NFC North Prediction

The NFC North already looked like it was the Packers’ to lose. Now, barring a major injury to one of the Packers’ offensive stars, it’s very difficult to imagine Green Bay not finishing atop the division.

Minnesota won’t have much time to prepare their new QB for their first regular-season meeting with the Packers. The Vikings visit Green Bay on Sunday Night Football in Week 2.

The Vikes will follow that up with a visit to Carolina, and two weeks later they’ll take on the tough defence of the Houston Texans.

After the bye in Week 6, things will get a lot easier for Minnesota, with games against the Eagles, Bears, Lions and Redskins. But the damage to the Vikings’ NFC North title chances might already be done.