The NFC North has undergone a huge identity shift in the past few years, going from a grind-it-out defensive league to one of the highest-scoring divisions in the NFL.

That change in philosophy, which has quickly spread throughout the league, has made the NFC North the premier place to bet the over amongst football bettors.

Last season, the NFC North’s four members posted a combined 40-24 over/under record. Green Bay and its high-powered scoring attack led the way with an 11-5 over/under count while Chicago brought up the rear at 9-7 over/under on the year.

That trend has continued through the first six weeks of 2012 schedule, with the division owning a combined 12-9-1 over/under record heading into Sunday. The slow offensive starts for Detroit and Green Bay have hurt those over bets a bit, but both the Lions and Packers were up to their old tricks in Week 6.

In fact, all four NFC North members topped the total in their most recent game (Chicago had a bye in Week 6 after playing over versus Jacksonville) and have posted a combined 7-3 over/under mark over the past three weeks. Even Minnesota, which has been one of the best under plays to start the year at 2-4 over/under, finished above the 43.5-point number with a 38-26 loss to Washington.

All four NFC North teams are in action in Week 7.

The Vikings host the Cardinals with a league-low 40.5-point total on the board, in part to Arizona’s QB troubles.

The Packers visit the Rams with a 45.5-point total posted after Green Bay exploded for 42 points against the league’s top defense in Week 6.

And, to cap off Week 7, the Lions and Bears meet in the Windy City for a Monday Night Football showdown. That game has garnered a 47-point number with a chance of thundershowers threatening Soldier Field. The over is 5-2 in the last seven meeting between these division rivals.