Week 7 NFC North predictions: Lions earn another 'prove it' win

Through six weeks, the hierarchy in the NFC North is becoming a bit clearer. Here's how the teams will fare in Week 7: 

Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) at Chicago Bears (1-5): Sunday could be a sloppy affair, especially if both teams start backup quarterbacks. The status of Jimmy Garoppolo (back) and Justin Fields (dislocated finger) is uncertain, meaning we could see rookie and former Division II standout Tyson Bagent get the nod for the Bears and either veteran Brian Hoyer or another first-year QB Aidan O'Connell go for the Raiders. 

Whoever plays for the Bears will likely have trouble against the Raiders. Even with the Fields, the Bears' passing game has struggled (188.5 yards per game, 26th). They also won't be able to lean much on the running game, potentially missing three running backs, Khalil Herbert (ankle), Travis Homer (hamstring) and rookie Roschon Johnson (concussion), all of whom have yet to practice as of Wednesday. 

As for the other side of the ball, the Bears defense hasn't stopped anyone this season, allowing 5.8 yards per play, the fourth-worst in the NFL. 

An undrafted rookie QB backed by a Swiss cheese defense playing against a team that's won two in a row? That sounds like a recipe for disaster and another loss for the Bears. 

PREDICTION: Raiders, 23-12 

Detroit Lions (5-1) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2): Following an impressive Week 6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20-6), the Lions will have another chance at a statement win Sunday against the Ravens. The Lions enter shorthanded on both sides of the ball, especially on offense, which could play a significant role in who walks away the winner in Week 7. 

A trio of running backs, David Montgomery (ribs), Craig Reynolds (hamstring/toe) and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring), are questionable, as is tight end Sam LaPorta (calf). 

However, according to Jeff Darlington of ESPN, the Lions expect LaPorta to be active. Even without LaPorta, the presence of WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams should offer quarterback Jared Goff enough to make up for the lack of running back depth, and he'll need the weaponry against a Ravens defense ranked second in the NFL in yards per play allowed (4.0).

The Lions defense isn't far behind the Ravens, allowing 4.7 yards a play (6th), and they'll contain QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense, averaging only 22.2 points per game (15th). 

Meanwhile, Goff and company will do just enough to grab an impressive road win against a Baltimore team still weary from its trip to London. 

PREDICTION: Lions, 23-17

Green Bay Packers (2-3) at Denver Broncos (1-5): The Packers enter a Week 7 contest at Mile High as one-point favorites per Oddschecker, and for good reason. While the Packers certainly aren't elite, they should have enough to top the mess that is the Broncos and improve to .500 (3-3).

The Broncos rank 32nd in nearly every major defensive category except passing yards (30th) and taken the ball away only six times (21st). On offense, Denver is 17th (21.5) in scoring and 21st in yards per game (281.6). So, unless the Packers beat themselves, which isn't impossible, they have a golden opportunity to grab their third win of the year. 

While the Broncos did hold QB Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Chiefs to only 19 points in Week 6, they still gave up 197 more yards than they gained and only narrowly avoided a shutout, scoring midway through the fourth quarter. 

The Packers are coming off their bye week and should be relatively well-rested. Furthermore, Green Bay could see RB Aaron Jones's return (hamstring). The Packers are the better team and will come out on top. 

PREDICTION: Packers, 24-15

San Francisco 49ers (5-1) at Minnesota Vikings (2-4): Despite being at home, the Vikings are not the favorite in Week 7 against the formidable 49ers on "Monday Night Football." When looking for reasons why the Vikings are seven-point home dogs, one only needs to consider where the two teams rank on both sides of the ball. 

The 49ers entered ranked second in points scored per game (30.7) and first in points allowed (14.5). Meanwhile, the Vikings average only 21.5 points per game (17th) while giving up 22.5 (21st). Likewise, the 49ers lead in the NFL in turnover differential (plus-8), while the Vikings are 30th (minus-7). 

The Vikings might catch a break, with RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique), WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and OL Trent Williams (ankle) all questionable for the game after leaving Week 6 with injuries. However, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, none of the injuries are considered severe, and all three will try to play. 

There's a slight possibility that the 49ers might overlook the Vikings with a Thursday night contest ahead in Week 8 at the Cincinnati Bengals before their bye week, but it's unlikely. Also, after being stunned by the Cleveland Browns last week, suffering their first loss, the Niners will look for someone to take their frustrations out on. 

On top of that, QB Kirk Cousins is only 7-11 as the Vikings starter in primetime, which should inspire little confidence in Minnesota's chances. 

PREDICTION: 49ers, 30-17