NFC North Week 6 predictions: Lions face road test, Bears, Vikings battle to avoid 1-5

After winning their third straight to take a two-game lead atop the NFC North, this week, the Detroit Lions look to increase their lead atop the division, taking on a tough Tampa Bay Buccaneers team on the road. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears battle it out, hoping to avoid a season-dooming 1-5 start while keeping pace with the idle Green Bay Packers (2-3). Here are the NFC North predictions for Week 6: 

Minnesota Vikings (1-4) at Chicago Bears (1-4): While both the Vikings and Bears enter with lackluster 1-4 records, their contest on Sunday has a high chance of becoming an entertaining shootout. The Vikings 23rd-ranked defense is 31st in opponents completion percentage (76.4) and 30th in opponent passer rating (110.8). 

Meanwhile, the Bears rank 30th in defense, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 70.8 percent of their passes (26th) for a 111.1 percent passer rating (31st). 

Health could play a massive role in who walks away the winner in Week 6. The Vikings suffered an enormous loss, with star wideout Justin Jefferson set to miss the next four weeks after being placed on injured reserve (hamstring) early this week. 

Conversely, the Bears are getting a few bodies back in the secondary, as cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson, Kyle Gordon and safety Eddie Jackson are on track to return from injury. 

The Vikings are still a talented team without Jefferson, but they're trending downward, while the Bears are giving off positive vibes with the recent breakout of quarterback Justin Fields. 

Completing 67.19% of his passes for 617 yards with eight touchdowns and only one interception over his last two outings, the Bears believe Fields is "seeing the field maybe better than he ever has," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. On Sunday, he'll take another step forward at home by leading the Bears to an upset win over the rival Vikings. 

PREDICTION: Bears, 35-31 

Detroit Lions (4-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1): Ravaged by injuries, the Lions keep trucking, taking their show on the road to take on a well-rested Buccaneers squad following a Week 5 bye. In arguably the most anticipated matchup of Week 6, both teams enter playing well and leading their respective divisions, but each has something left to prove. 

The Lions aim to establish themselves as a contender atop the competitive NFC, while the Buccaneers hope to show they're for real by knocking off the league's new darling.  

The Lions (4.7) and Buccaneers (5.0) are allowing less than five yards per play on defense and are solid against the run. However, the Lions' passing game will be a stiff test for the Buccaneers. Detroit boasts a 69.8 completion percentage and 101.7 passer rating, second in the NFC to only the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. 

Furthermore, despite failing to miss a beat in Week 5 without him, the Lions could see the return of No. 1 wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (sports hernia).   

Baker Mayfield has weapons in veteran WR Mike Evans and the electric Chris Godwin, but that hasn't translated into points for Tampa Bay, who rank 20th in the NFL in points per game (21.0). 

The Lions counter with a defense giving up about that average per game (21.4), and that, paired with the fourth-highest scoring offense (29.6) in the NFL, will be enough to get Detroit to 5-1. 

PREDICTION: Lions, 26-17