Shack’s NFC North Predictions: Week 5
Fans here we are, a quarter of the way through the season and the NFC North isn’t shaping up like most of us thought. The Vikings and Bears are atop the NFC North while the Packers are in third place, and the Lions find themselves in familiar territory at the bottom of the NFC North.
Sep 23, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) passes against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE
Week five features what could be two trap games for the Vikings and Bears, while the Packers play a very beatable game against the Colts. However, I could see the NFC North going undefeated this week for the first time this season. Will the Vikings continue their winning ways at home? Can the erratic Jay Cutler and company come away with a win on the road against the Jaguars? Without further ado, here are my picks.
Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck’s stats don’t jump off the board through three games, but given the fact that he inherited the worst team in the league last year, the guy is playing extremely well. The Colts have been competitive in each game they’ve played this season except for the opener against the Bears when they lost 41-21. It should be noted that the Packers beat the Bears this season, so logic would say that the Packers should beat the Colts. Not to mention the Packers have perhaps the best quarterback in the NFL in Aaron Rogers, more experience than the Colts, and a better overall roster.
Prediction: Packers win 38-20
Chicago Bears at Jacksonville Jaguars
Boy did the Bears look good on Monday night… or was Tony Romo just that bad? Either way, the Bears won handily against a talented but underachieving team in the Dallas Cowboys. This Sunday, the Bears will face one of the top three running backs in the NFL in Maurice Jones-Drew, and a solid Jaguars’ defense that can capitalize on Jay Cutler mistakes. However, the only way the Jags pull of the upset is if Jones-Drew breaks a few long runs, because the Jags passing game still has a lot of work to do with their best talent at wide receiver in Justin Blackmon only recording ten catches for 79 yards and zero touchdowns through four games. Not quite the start the Jaguars had in mind for the Gabbert-Blackmon connection.
Prediction: Bears win 27-13
Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings didn’t necessarily play like a top team last week, the Lions just played that bad as the Lions gave up a punt return and kick return touchdown in two consecutive games. Regardless, the Vikings won and they are playing at home this week against a struggling Titans team who just lost their starting quarterback to injury. With that said, don’t count on the Vikings to blow out the Titans as the Titans still have a very capable quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck, who could actually make this a game. It should be noted that both the Vikings and Titans have a punt return and kick return touchdown in one game. Could we see a special teams touchdown from either or both teams again this week? With that question in mind, this is Shack’s Game Of The Week.
Prediction: Vikings win 23-20
Recap: I have the NFC North going undefeated this week for the first time this season. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your NFC North Predictions! I’ll try to respond to any comments or questions you might have.
Last Weeks Record: 1-3
Shack’s record so far this season: 7-8