When the Detroit Lions 2019 schedule was revealed, many believed that after five weeks they would be on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFL Playoff picture. After all, three of their first four games were against playoff teams from a season ago.
As we know, the Lions have managed to navigate their treacherous early-season schedule and despite a heartbreaking loss to the Green Bay Packers, they now sit at 2-2-1 through the first six weeks of the season.
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We can all agree that the Week 7 matchup between the Lions and Minnesota Vikings is a big one, but just how big is it? With a win, the Lions would still be in the hunt in the NFC North, while a loss would bury them even further in the standings.
Only time will tell but we thought it would be fun to take a look at the final 11 weeks of the season from an NFC North perspective to see exactly how we believe things will play out.
It all starts this coming weekend with the Lions hosting the Vikings, the Packers hosting the Raiders, and the Bears hosting the Saints.
But first, here is what the current NFC North standings look like through Week 6.
*Note BOLDED teams are the predicted winner
Week 7
Minnesota @ Detroit
Oakland @ Green Bay
New Orleans @ Chicago
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Green Bay | 6-1 |
| Chicago | 4-2 |
| Detroit | 3-2-1 |
| Minnesota | 4-3 |
Week 8
Washington @ Minnesota
Los Angeles Chargers @ Chicago
New York Giants @ Detroit
Green Bay @ Kansas City
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Green Bay | 6-2 |
| Chicago | 5-2 |
| Detroit | 4-2-1 |
| Minnesota | 5-3 |
Week 9
Minnesota @ Kansas City
Chicago @ Philadelphia
Detroit @ Oakland
Green Bay @ Los Angeles Chargers
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Detroit | 5-2-1 |
| Green Bay | 6-3 |
| Chicago | 5-3 |
| Minnesota | 5-4 |
Week 10
Detroit @ Chicago
Carolina @ Green Bay
Minnesota @ Dallas
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Green Bay | 7-3 |
| Chicago | 6-3 |
| Detroit | 5-3-1 |
| Minnesota | 5-5 |
Week 11
Dallas @ Detroit
Denver @ Minnesota
Chicago @ Los Angeles Rams
Green Bay – BYE
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Green Bay | 7-3 |
| Detroit | 6-3-1 |
| Chicago | 6-4 |
| Minnesota | 6-5 |
Week 12
New York Giants @ Chicago
Detroit @ Washington
Green Bay @ San Francisco
Minnesota – BYE
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Green Bay | 8-3 |
| Detroit | 7-3-1 |
| Chicago | 7-4 |
| Minnesota | 6-5 |
Week 13
Chicago @ Detroit
Green Bay @ New York Giants
Minnesota @ Seattle
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Green Bay | 9-3 |
| Detroit | 8-3-1 |
| Chicago | 7-5 |
| Minnesota | 6-6 |
Week 14
Dallas @ Chicago
Washington @ Green Bay
Detroit @ Minnesota
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Green Bay | 10-3 |
| Detroit | 8-4-1 |
| Chicago | 7-6 |
| Minnesota | 7-6 |
Week 15
Tampa Bay @ Detroit
Chicago @ Green Bay
Minnesota @ Los Angeles Chargers
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Green Bay | 11-3 |
| Detroit | 9-4-1 |
| Chicago | 7-7 |
| Minnesota | 7-7 |
Week 16
Detroit @ Denver
Kansas City @ Chicago
Green Bay @ Minnesota
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Green Bay | 11-4 |
| Detroit | 10-4-1 |
| Minnesota | 8-7 |
| Chicago | 7-8 |
Week 17
Green Bay @ Detroit
Chicago @ Minnesota
UPDATED STANDINGS
| Detroit | 11-4-1 |
| Green Bay | 11-5 |
| Minnesota | 9-7 |
| Chicago | 7-9 |
