Week 4 NFC North predictions: Lions will emerge with early division lead

The Lions and Packers are beginning to pull away from the pack in the NFC North after big wins in Week 3, while the Bears and Vikings are still winless. Here are predictions for Week 4's slate of games: 

Detroit Lions (2-1) at Green Bay Packers (2-1): Coming off big wins, the Lions and Packers meet on "Thursday Night Football" at Lambeau Field with first place in the NFC North up for grabs. The Lions enter as the slight favorite (-1.5, per OddsChecker) over the Packers and with both teams ranking among the top 15 in offense and defense, this matchup is genuinely a coin-flip. 

The difference will likely come down to which team makes fewer mistakes and after a seven-sack performance in Week 3, the Lions have the best chance at forcing more. Wideout Christian Watson could return for the Packers on Sunday, but they'll still be at a severe disadvantage without LT David Bakhtiari, LG Elgton Jenkins and possibly RB Aaron Jones against a Lions defense led by DE Aidan Hutchinson, who posted four tackles, two sacks and two pass defenses last week. Believe it or not, the Lions have won three in a row against the Packers. They'll make it four in front of a prime-time audience. 

PREDICTION: Lions 24, Packers 17

Minnesota Vikings (0-3) at Carolina Panthers (0-3): What a difference three games can make. After thriving in one-score contests last season, the Vikings enter Week 4 looking for their first win, with each of their losses coming by six points or fewer. Despite boasting the NFL's leading passer and receiver in QB Kirk Cousins (1,075 yards) and WR Justin Jefferson (458 yards), respectively, a league-worst nine turnovers and a defense ranked 26th in points against (27.3) have cost them. 

The Panthers should be the perfect remedy for their struggles. Panthers rookie QB Bryce Young is on track to return from injury, which might benefit the Vikings after his replacement, veteran backup Andy Dalton, made the Carolina offense look somewhat competent against the Seattle Seahawks this past Sunday. Young has averaged 4.2 yards per attempt through two starts, the lowest mark in the NFL. If he suits up, it's another advantage for the already superior Vikings. The Vikings will walk away winners for the first time this season, as long as they don't continue to shoot themselves in the foot. 

PREDICTION: Vikings 33, Panthers 20 

Denver Broncos (0-3) at Chicago Bears (0-3): In the only other matchup between winless clubs, the struggling Bears will host the equally desperate Broncos. Most teams would have the advantage against an opponent that allowed 70 points the previous week, but the Bears are not most teams and Sunday could be another long day at Soldier Field. 

Unsurprisingly, the Broncos boast the worst defense in the NFL, allowing 40.7 points per game. However, that's roughly five points worse than the Bears (35.3), who didn't give up a historic offensive explosion last week. Furthermore, the Broncos have the edge offensively, averaging nearly a touchdown more per game (23.0) than the Bears (15.7). The Broncos had an incredibly rough week they won't soon forget, but their previous two losses came by a combined three points. Meanwhile, the Bears haven't had a realistic shot in any of their first three games and the dysfunction will continue on Sunday. 

PREDICTION: Broncos 28, Bears 23