Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Detroit Lions have clinched the NFC North.But with several playoff spots up for grabs and the conference seeding yet to be confirmed, there’s still plenty of room to play for.
Here are our Week 17 predictions for the NFC North:Detroit Lions (11-4) at Dallas Cowboys (10-5): Less than a week after winning the franchise’s first division title in 1993, the Lions face the Cowboys as both teams compete for a playoff spot. disappointed with the game. NFC. However, this match will not be easy as it will be a challenge for both sides. Before Saturday’s game, cornerback Chase Lucas told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that he’s “ready to beat the Cowboys.”
We need this game to leave Arlington with a win. Dallas’ offense, which is primarily a passing game, struggled later, going into its 17th straight game. Still, after hosting two top-10 defenses in the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills, quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys are sure to pounce on the Lions, who rank 23rd against the pass (234.9 YPG).Meanwhile, the fifth-ranked Lions defense (27.5 PPG) will face the league’s top-ranked Dolphins (30.9 PPG) against a Cowboys defense that was held to just 22 points a week ago .
With QB Jared Goff leading the way all year, the Lions can rely on David Montgomery and Jahmir Gibbs against Dallas. The two combined for three scores and 135 yards in Week 16, and a huge performance by each player could be Detroit’s best chance to win. That’s because the Cowboys are 19th in stopping opponents (115.7 YPG).Green Bay Packers (7-8) at Minnesota Vikings (7-8): Sunday is a must-win game for the Packers and Vikings. A win won’t guarantee the postseason, but a loss will dash everyone’s hopes. The Vikings took care of the Packers in Week 8, winning 24-10 at Lambeau Field, but a lot has changed since then.
Especially the season-ending injury to QB Kirk Cousins. Since losing Cousins, the Vikings have started three different QBs with mixed results. After losing four of their last five games, the Vikings gave the nod to fifth-round pick Jaren Hall to replace Nick Mullens, who had four turnovers last week despite throwing for more than 400 yards. Meanwhile, the Packers released the No. 1 in 2023, Bryce Young (312 passing yards, 2 touchdowns) in Week 16 and have allowed 30 or more points for back-to-back weeks. Hall will have a tight end to lean on in Justin Jefferson, but even the Packers’ 23rd-ranked defense (352.9 YPG) will have to slow down the freshman with just 10 career pass attempts.
Conversely, QB Jordan Love improved dramatically after a mediocre performance (41, 24 for 229 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) in the first meeting between the Packers and Vikings. Over the next eight games, he completed 66 percent of his passes, averaging 262 passing yards per game, including 16 TDs and three interceptions. Meanwhile, the Vikings’ defense has fallen apart recently, allowing more than 27 points in two games since a Week 14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
