Week 16 NFC North predictions: Lions look to wrap up division crown vs. Vikings

Heading down the home stretch of the regular season, playoff and division races are heating up throughout the NFL and the NFC North is no different. Here are our predictions for Week 16: 

Detroit Lions (10-4) at Minnesota Vikings (7-7): There’s a lot at stake in the first of two matchups between the rivals to close the season. The Lions look to have rebounded from a brief bump in the road with their eye on a division title while the Vikings are on the decline, fighting for their playoff lives. 

QB Jared Goff and the Lions looked more like the NFL’s fifth-ranked offense in Week 15, posting 42 points on the Broncos’ improved defense. Conversely, the Vikings’ defense has been stingy, ranked seventh in points per game allowed (19.2). They can be attacked through the air, though, surrendering 224 yards per game (17th), which should play into the Lions’ hands. 

Meanwhile, the Vikings’ offense, now on its fourth starter, has struggled to find consistency. Nick Mullens gave them a boost last week in an overtime loss, but it’s still a decent matchup for the Lions, who had allowed 26 points or more in five straight games before holding Denver and QB Russell Wilson to 17 a week ago.  

A win over a depleted Vikings team led by a backup QB is all that stands between the Lions and their first division crown since 1993. Odds are they seal the deal. 

PREDICTION: Lions, 31-17

Green Bay Packers (6-8) at Carolina Panthers (2-12): A two-game losing streak has the Packers firmly in must-win territory to keep their already fleeting postseason hopes alive. There are no guarantees in the NFL and the Panthers are feeling good coming off their second win, but the Packers have the advantage if they take care of business. 

Panthers rookie QB Bryce Young had arguably his most efficient game as a pro against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. He completed 75 percent of his passes (18-of-24), but threw for a paltry 167 yards (6.9 YPC) while the Panthers managed only three field goals in a 9-7 win. Even a Packers defense that has allowed 20 points or more in six of the last eight games should have enough to stifle a Panthers offense ranked 29th in points per game (14.7). 

Aside from a few turnovers, Packer QB Jordan Love has played well despite the Packers’ two-game slide. However, he’ll be up against a surprisingly formidable Panthers’ D, which ranks third in yards per game (291.6) but 29th in points against (24.9) due to the team’s failings on offense skewing the field-position battle. Regardless, if the Packers silence Young and company, their offense has enough firepower to follow the recipe 12 other teams have used to defeat Carolina.

PREDICTION: Packers, 24-13 

Arizona Cardinals (3-11) at Chicago Bears (5-9): While the season is all but lost for the Bears, the final three weeks of the campaign amount to a tryout for some, including QB Justin Fields. On Sunday, he’ll be up against the Cardinals’ 13th-ranked pass defense. They’ve shown cracks as of late, giving up on average 246 yards per game to opponents over the last four games. 

Sunday also offers the Bears defense a chance to shine. Last week, it forced three turnovers in a tough-luck loss to the Cleveland Browns, but the unit has held three of its previous five opponents to 13 points or fewer. They should have the edge over QB Kyler Murray and the Cardinals’ offense ranked 24th in yards (306.3) and 25th in points per game (18.5).

When it comes to postseason positioning, this game isn’t likely to have much of an impact. Nevertheless, how the Bears perform could affect decisions for next season.

PREDICTION: Bears, 23-16