Quite a bit may very well be determined within the NFC North this week, with the division-leading Detroit Lions seeking to bury the Chicago Bears. In distinction, the Minnesota Vikings and Inexperienced Bay Packers look to maintain their playoff hopes alive with victories on the highway. Listed here are the NFC North predictions for Week 13:
Detroit Lions (9-3) at Chicago Bears (4-8): The Lions enter their Week 14 matchup in opposition to the Bears at Soldier Subject as 3.5-point favorites, per oddschecker. Whereas that slim line might shock some, the Lions’ play as of late has understandably created doubt over what sort of workforce they’re, even with a 9-3 document. Moreover, the Lions wanted a 17-point fourth quarter to sneak by the Bears, 31-26, of their first assembly three weeks in the past.
Regardless of profitable three of 4 video games since their bye week, the Lions have not performed their finest not too long ago, together with a shaky 33-28 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 13. In the meantime, the Bears have received two of their final three and could also be on the rise.
The Lions have a transparent edge on offense and are coming off solely their fourth turnover-less sport of the season. Nevertheless, the Bears protection will present a check for QB Jared Goff and firm, having compelled eight turnovers over the previous two weeks.
With snowy circumstances anticipated in Chicago on Sunday and an opportunistic protection in entrance of them, this has entice sport written throughout it for the Lions.
PREDICTION: Bears, 28-27
Minnesota Vikings (6-6) at Las Vegas Raiders (5-7): Coming off their bye, the Vikings enter Week 14 going through a must-win sport in opposition to the Raiders. Whereas there was uncertainty over who would take snaps because the beginning QB, the Vikings are sticking with Josh Dobbs in a choice that might make or break the workforce’s season.
After beginning 2-0 with the Vikings, Dobbs has come again to earth in losses to the Denver Broncos and Bears. Dobbs recorded three touchdowns with no turnovers in his first two begins however has thrown solely two TDs with 5 interceptions and a fumble misplaced over his final two video games. Nevertheless, he may have electrical wideout Justin Jefferson to throw to, with the All-Professional set to return to motion after lacking seven video games with a hamstring harm.
As soon as Antonio Pierce took over as interim head coach, the Raiders discovered success in opposition to New York Giants QB Tommy DeVito and New York Jets’ Zach Wilson earlier than being predictably picked aside by Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa and Patrick Mahomes in back-to-back weeks. Nobody is placing Dobbs within the class of Tagovailoa or Mahomes, however he has an honest alternative to bounce again, particularly with Jefferson in tow.
PREDICTION: Vikings, 28-20
Inexperienced Bay Packers (6-6) at New York Giants (4-8): Driving the emergence of QB Jordan Love, the Packers have received three straight video games and are immediately very a lot within the NFC playoff hunt heading right into a “Monday Night time Soccer” showdown with the immediately streaking Giants, who’ve received two in a row.
Love has been on fireplace in the course of the Packers’ win streak, finishing 68 % of his passes for 857 yards (7.9 YPA) with eight touchdowns and nil interceptions. Whereas Love may succeed in opposition to the Giants’ Twentieth-ranked go protection, the Packers may additionally expose them with their new-found run sport. After averaging solely 88.4 speeding yards by way of the primary 5 weeks of the season, the Packers have averaged 128 yards over their final 5 video games.
In the meantime, the Giants have allowed 120 or extra speeding yards 10 instances this season. They’ve given up a median of 163 yards of their final three video games, coming in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys, who boast the Eleventh-best speeding assault within the NFL and two groups close to the underside within the Washington Commanders (twenty third) and New England Patriots (twenty first).
The Packers protection can also be taking part in higher as of late, permitting solely 17 factors a sport during the last 5 video games. If that unit can management Giants RB Saquon Barkley, who’s nonetheless harmful, and drive DeVito to beat them, they’re going to have greater than an honest shot at strolling out of MetLife Stadium above .500.
PREDICTION: Packers, 31-16