NFL Spreads Week 1: Don't Bet Against the NFC North

Yes, the Minnesota Vikings are still in the division, so the fact that you're scratching your head trying to figure out how I can make such a statement is understandable.

But as far as Week 1 action goes, there isn't a division in the NFL that has more winnable games on tap and point spreads that can be met—or beat.

Don't believe me? Take a look for yourself.

Point spreads for all the week's action can be found here, courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

Chicago Bears (-10) vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Bears were a very good team last year until their porous offensive line managed to break Jay Cutler.

With an improved line in front of him and the addition of a legitimate No. 1 receiver in Brandon Marshall, not to mention rookie Alshon Jeffery and a healthy Matt Forte in the backfield, the Bears offense will have no problem putting points on the board against an over-matched Colts' defense.

While Andrew Luck is the best thing to happen since the invention of sliced bread (depending on who you ask), the fact is that he's making his first career start against an experienced Bears defense that includes Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher, who went through a full practice and is expected to play.

The disparity in talent between the two teams is significant, and the rebuilding Colts are in for a long afternoon against Da Bears.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Minnesota Vikings (-3.5)

In a meeting of mediocre second-year quarterbacks, the Vikings and Christian Ponder will take care of business against Blaine Gabbert and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While Maurice Jones-Drew is active for the game and Rashad Jennings is a solid runner, MJD won't start and the Jaguars will closely monitor his workload as he missed all of training camp holding out for a new contract.

Jacksonville has a solid defensive unit, but Ponder will be able to move the ball with Percy Harvin, Kyle Rudolph and some combination of Toby Gerhart and Adrian Peterson, who is questionable for the game.

Ultimately, the noise in the Metrodome and Minnesota's defensive front will be too much for Gabbert to overcome, and the Vikings win this game by more than a field goal.

St. Louis Rams vs. Detroit Lions (-7.5)

The Rams defense is vastly improved from a year ago, but Chris Long and Cortland Finnegan are no match for the Lions' aerial assault, which will find Matthew Stafford throwing to Calvin Johnson, Titus Young and Brandon Pettigrew early and often.

Offensively, Steven Jackson remains Sam Bradford's only real weapon, and even against a shaky Lions' secondary, the Rams offense cannot go score-for-score with the Lions.

Detroit is a tough place to play and the Rams' offensive line cannot handle a very talented Lions' defensive front led by Ndamukong Suh. The Lions win this one easily and by double digits.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers (-5)

This one is easily the game of the week, and could be a preview of the NFC Championship Game.

The 49ers offense is still something of a conundrum as Alex Smith is more of a facilitator than a playmaker, and while they added Randy Moss and Mario Manningham to the mix, can Smith actually get them the ball consistently against an improved Packers defense?

San Francisco's defense is no joke, and while the Packers' offensive line will have their hands full, Aaron Rodgers' mobility will lead to him making some big plays outside of the pocket, both with his arm and legs.

The disparity between the two offenses is greater than the advantage the 49ers have on the defensive side of the ball. Green Bay wins by a touchdown.