The NFC North still looks like one of the NFL's most competitive divisions just six weeks into the 2026 season. Every team in the division finished with a winning record in 2025, and that trend has continued into this year. Now the Packers and Lions are gearing up for a huge divisional matchup that could have huge ramifications come playoff time.
Green Bay is looking strong after a questionable start to the season. They are on a three-game winning streak after taking care of Dallas on Sunday Night Football. The Packers are still a bit behind the Vikings, but getting a win in Week 7 will get them one step closer to catching up.
Meanwhile, Detroit quieted their doubters in Week 5 after crushing Arizona in the desert. The Lions even got a solid game from their defense, something that has eluded them for most of the season. But Detroit is coming off their bye week, so it is impossible to know if they'll carry over that momentum or come out flat.
Which team will come out on top in this massive divisional matchup?
Here are three bold predictions before the NFC North clash between the Lions and Packers in Week 7.
Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Jared Goff throws his first interception of the season, but still shreds Packers defense
Goff may be the most underrated quarterback in the entire NFL this season. He may look like a quarterback from a different age, but Goff can still sling it with the best of them.
Detroit's franchise quarterback has 1,485 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions through five games. That's right, he still has not thrown an interception at any point this season. This speaks to how careful Goff is with the football, no doubt owing to his veteran experience.
All of that said, this could be the week that the streak comes to an end.
The Lions should not underestimate the Packers' defensive unit, even if they don't have Micah Parsons in Week 7. Green Bay has one of the better coverage units in the NFL this season despite an unproven cornerback room. Even more impressive is that they lead the NFL in interceptions with nine through the first six games.
If any team is going to snap Goff's streak, it will be the packers.
Goff will throw his first interception of the season against Green Bay on Sunday. All good things must come to an end, including his impressive streak of clean games. However, that doesn't mean he'll wilt against the Packers.
Detroit will finish this game with at least 400 passing yards, shredding Green Bay's secondary from wire to wire.
Josh Jacobs rumbles for 100 rushing yards, two touchdowns in 2026 debut
Green Bay's one weakness this season has been their rushing attack.
The Packers are averaging a pitiful 59.8 rushing yards per game this season. That is due to a combination of offensive line issues and a thin running back group. But the latter is about to change.
Josh Jacobs looks slated to return in Week 7 after being removed from the commissioner's exempt list.
“I would say Jacobs has been preliminarily cleared and is expected to play this week. He is going to practice. He's going to be on the field. They say he has kept in good shape, and the Green Bay Packers, who have had a really solid start to the season, probably could use a little bit of an improved running game, and they get Josh Jacobs in Week 7 to come in and do it,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport said on Wednesday via Good Morning Football.
Getting Jacobs back won't fix everything overnight. After all, it is fair to be skeptical of how ready he truly is after staying away from football for over a month.
Still, Jacobs could have a breakout game against Detroit if Matt LaFleur dials up enough carries for him.
Article Continues BelowJacobs will go over 100 rushing yards and score two touchdowns against the Lions.
Green Bay wins an NFC North shootout thanks to Detroit's compromised defense
Of course, the matchup that everyone will be watching in this one is Jordan Love against Detroit's struggling secondary.
Green Bay suddenly looks capable of keeping up with Detroit's offense. The emergence of both Christian Watson and Matthew Golden has unlocked the team's passing attack. On paper, they're in the same tier as Detroit in terms of passing yards per game.
The good news for the Lions is that Brian Branch is expected to make his 2026 debut against the Packers in Week 7. It is impossible to know just how good Branch will look after last season's Achilles injury. Getting him back is also no guarantee that Detroit's defense will magically play better. But it is a start.
In the long term, getting Branch back should do wonders for the Lions. Unfortunately, it won't be enough to win this game.
The Packers win by one score in an epic shootout at Ford Field.