NFL Week 7 Predictions: Teams That Will Take Control of Their Divisions with Win

The Chicago Bears are in position to take a semi-comfortable hold of first place in the NFC North with a win over the Detroit Lions.

They are technically in first place now because of percentage points, but raising their record to 5-1 could possibly place them a game-and-a-half ahead of the Minnesota Vikings—provided they lose to the Arizona Cardinals.

Even if the Vikings win, a Bears win will mean they retained first place after inheriting it through the bye week. It means nothing technically, but psychologically the Bears can look at themselves as the top dog in the division, while evening their record against NFC North opponents.

The Lions were able to come from behind against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that fell apart in the fourth quarter. The Bears defense has been one of the best defensive units in the league.

No team has allowed fewer yards on the ground (329), and no team has forced more turnovers (17). The running game has been consistent, as the team is averaging 123.6 yards per game on the ground. In addition to that, the Jay Cutler/Brandon Marshall connection is clicking.

Marshall is in the top 10 in both receptions and receiving yards through five games, while many other top receivers have played six. When is the last time a Bears receiver was in that company?

The Bears are underrated now, but they'll begin to gain the league's respect with a win over the Lions on Monday night. The Bears will prevail, 28-17.

Here are two other teams that will distance themselves from the pack with wins.

New York Giants

The Giants' dominant 26-3 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday showed how good this team can be when their receivers are healthy. Neither Victor Cruz nor Hakeem Nicks had huge statistical days, but the attention they require weakens opponents' ability to provide run support.

If the Giants can go for 149 yards on the ground against the Niners, they can run it against anyone. Run defense hasn't been a weakness of the Washington Redskins, but pass defense has. The 'Skins secondary has been torched for 1,970 yards this season, which is the most in the NFL.

The Giants attack is balanced when the key players are healthy, and they can take advantage of what the defense gives them.

As for the 'Skins, Robert Griffin III has to be on a short list for NFL MVP at this point, but I'm not sure he's ready—or if he has the weapons to win a shootout with Eli Manning. The fact that the game takes place at MetLife Stadium only complicates issues for the 'Skins.

With a win, the Giants will move to 5-2. That would ensure them a lead of at least a game-and-a-half in the division. The Giants are 0-2 in the division, so they need this one desperately. 

It's a little too early for RG3 to pull out a road victory like this—the Giants win 38-30.

New England Patriots

The Patriots are probably angry with themselves for being stuck in a four-way tie for first place in their division. The NFC West has wreaked havoc on them thanks to losses from the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.

Make no mistake, though, the Patriots are still the class of the division. On Sunday, they'll prove that in their first head-to-head matchup with the New York Jets. The Jets are coming off an impressive win over the Indianapolis Colts, but the one win doesn't hide the issues they've shown throughout the season.

Shonn Greene exploded for 161 yards and three touchdowns, but will he revert to the Greene who could muster only 217 in four games combined before that? Mark Sanchez was efficient, going 11-of-18 for 82 yards and two touchdowns, but if the run game doesn't produce, Sanchez's play will fall off.

He thrives in play-action situations, but that of course is linked to an adequate rushing attack.

The Jets largely took advantage of a Colts team that couldn't finish drives. Indianapolis was 3-of-11 on third downs in the game. Tom Brady and company won't have that issue. Rex Ryan's team has lost three of the last four meetings, and after this one, it'll be four of the last five.

The Patriots' win will give them a full-game lead over the Jets and the Buffalo Bills—who I predict will lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The Miami Dolphins are idle, but they host the Patriots next week when New England will have an opportunity to widen the gap further.

The Patriots will score a statement-making 31-10 victory over their rivals.

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