5. The Vikings will win the NFC North
The Detroit Lions have jumped out to a big lead in the division in the first half of the season, but the Vikings' resurgence could lead them to their second straight division crown – with a little help along the way.
The Vikings' schedule doesn’t look daunting, as they’ll face two teams with a winning record the rest of the way. Although a trip to face the Cincinnati Bengals is daunting, the Lions games in Week 16 and 18 could be key in deciding who wins the division title.
At 6-2, the Lions appear to have things in hand, but there are a few spots where they could stumble. A loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday could help, and trips to New Orleans, Dallas, and Minnesota aren’t guaranteed victories.
But the division could come down to those final two games. If the Vikings can take care of their business and sweep the Lions, they could be looking at a 12-5 record and an NFC North title. If they drop one of the games to Detroit, they could need some help. Either way, they should be in the mix at the end of the year.